ORLANDO — Desmond Bane is not just getting comfortable in an Orlando Magic uniform; he is beginning to take over games. 

Three days after notching 37 points in a big win over the Detroit Pistons, Bane recreated his sensational performance back home against the Chicago Bulls in a 125-120 win; igniting Orlando’s offense through an 18-point fourth quarter outburst after the Magic fell behind by 15 points late in the third.  

Bane’s big night made him the first player in franchise history since Tracy McGrady to score 37 points in consecutive games. McGrady accomplished the feat in 2004, when he did it three straight times. 

“Shout out T-Mac, first and foremost,” Bane said after the game. “I was just talking about it in the other interview. I work every summer to be the most complete basketball player I can be. you know and nowhere near where I want to be, but I feel like my games in a place where I can impact the game and in a lot of different ways.” 

As Bane continues to improve, he recognizes his game's evolution. 

“I think from my time in Memphis, you know I started as like a catch-and-shoot guy. And the year that that Ja was suspended and missed a lot of games I was put in a lot of situations like that where I was asked to close the game and kind of, you know, set the table and I didn't do a great job. 

“But, you know, it's growing pains and now I feel very comfortable in those situations, you know, whether I'm on the ball, off the ball, confident that I can make a play.” 

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley lauded Bane’s mindset and willingness to win. 

“He's a winner,” Mosley said. “He's going to find a way to win no matter what. “He's ready to go. He's going to find a way to help this team win games. And that's who he is. That's who he's always been. He's been a leader. He's been a vocal leader.”  

“His toughness, his ability to make plays down the stretch, that's who we've asked him to be. And that's who he is.” 

Bane spearheaded the offense, but he was not alone in his efforts. Anthony Black added 22 points in the win, his eighth-straight game scoring in double figures. He also played for 34 minutes, the second-highest workload of the season. 

“Anthony played so many dang minutes,” Mosley said. “I just consider him a starter at that point. He was great. He absolutely was great in that second half.” 

“I think he decided to turn it up, attacking the basket, getting stops, leading out on the break, stepping into a shot with confidence. I think all those are little pieces that we've continued to ask him to do and be.” 

It was not a perfect night for Orlando, as poor 3-point shooting and a disparity in assists allowed Chicago to get ahead. Yet, the Magic were able to overcome three players in the Bulls starting five logging 20-point efforts; largely because of 11 blocks, 12 steals and their ability to score 25 points off 21 turnovers. 

“We had to turn them over in order to get some more possessions, because we didn't particularly shoot the ball well,” Mosley said. “And I think us being able to turn them over to get out and get some easy baskets was necessary. That’s the great part about this game is we found a way to win, but we are darned for sure gonna learn from this game in the win.”