The Orlando Magic snapped their four-game losing streak with a 133-124 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. 

Led by Paolo Banchero’s 31-point effort, the Magic were able to improve to 4-0 against their in-state rivals and retake control of the Southeast Division. The victory also allowed Orlando to bump the Heat off the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference standings. 

“Yeah, it feels good to get the win,” Banchero said after the game. “Thought we played well; we just got to come back out and repeat it.” 

While getting back in the win column was nice, Banchero and his teammates understand there is no room to relish it for long. 

“I don't think anybody was too happy or too excited. We know we got a game on, what is it, Friday? Yeah, so come out, repeat, see what we did wrong. Thought we did a lot of stuff well and just come out with energy next game.” 

After concluding the first quarter with a 34-27 lead, the Magic allowed Miami to mount an offensive onslaught against them. In the second quarter, the Heat outscored Orlando, 41-25, to take a 68-59 lead going into halftime. 

Banchero and Co. responded fiercely in the second half; outscoring the Heat, 40-20, in the third quarter. 

“I thought we played good defense. I thought we withstood their runs. And yeah, we just stayed together and were able to, like I said, withstand those runs that they made and continue to find good shots.” 

Before Wednesday’s game, national rumors began to bubble to the surface concerning a fracturing of the relationship between Banchero and coach Jamahl Mosley. Afterward, Banchero shot down the speculation. 

“Yeah, I mean, he helps us a lot, you know, he's helped me a lot and we have a lot of open communication,” Banchero said. “I wouldn't say, whatever those reports are...I wouldn't say those are true. I think one thing I know about myself and one thing I know about him is that we're both fierce competitors.  

And so, when you're losing a lot of games and stuff's not going well, people are upset. And me and him haven't had any blow ups or arguments or going back and forth.” 

Banchero made it clear that when the team is not winning, both he and Mosley are not pleased. However, the frustration does not turn into animosity for one another. 

“Me and him are pretty aligned with when we talk to each other, trying to figure stuff out. Now that's not saying when we lose four or five in a row that I'm not pissed off, he's not pissed off. But in terms of our relationship, I think it's been good since I've gotten here.  

And obviously, as a team, we need to keep improving. And I've been vocal about that. And he understands that. We all understand that. So, I don't think anything that I've said or he said isn't already known in terms of the team and the organization. So those reports, I mean, I don't know where that'scoming from.” 

Mosley echoed the sentiments of his All-Star forward. 

“Yeah, I don't really have reactions to that,” Mosley said. “I think that's outside opinion, which is the case. And everybody's fair to have their opinion on that.  

I think what me and Paolo have is a constant level of competitiveness that wants to find a way to get a win. No one's happy when you're on a losing streak, and there shouldn't be happiness on a losing streak.” 

The Magic will return to action at home on Friday against the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

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