ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday 128-122 to extend their win streak to five games — the longest of the season. Here are three reasons why it happened:  

Once again, Desmond Bane showed up for his team. 

Bane finished the game with 35 points to mark his 12th 30-plus point effort of the season. He did so on a 63.2% shooting clip (12-19) while hitting nine of his 10 free throw attempts. He was highly productive for the duration of the game, but his most important contributions came with less than 30 seconds to play.  

After Donovan Mitchell hit a three with 39 seconds remaining to cut Orlando’s lead to 122-120, The Magic were forced into a timeout with the shot clock about to run dry. When they had to inbound, it went to Bane. 

Bane turned and shot a 25-foot 3-pointer in near unison with the buzzer ringing out, and the ball dropped through as roars of applause inside the Kia Center followed.  

After the Cavs responded via an Evan Mobley putback dunk to cut Orlando’s lead to three points with nine seconds remaining, Bane stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws. By the end of the game, Bane had accounted for five of the Magic’s final six points.  

After the game, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley did not need many words to praise Bane.  

“Winner,” he said. "Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes, he's going to do. And that's about the best word that describes him because he embodies so much of it. Winner and leader.” 

For Bane, those kinds of clutch shots are a result of the many hours he sinks into his craft. 

“I mean, I spend a lot of time in the gym,” he said.  “You know, I've been in the league six years, so, I feel confident, you know, everywhere on the floor and in every opportunity. So, I'm thankful that the coaches have trust in me, my teammates have trust in me to make those plays down the stretch. But I'm extremely confident.” 

While Bane and Paolo Banchero combined for 60 points and James Harden and Mitchell combined for 55 points, role players on both teams were doing all they could to impact the outcome in a favorable way for their teams. 

When the final buzzer rang out, it was the Magic’s role players who did the most — notably Tristan da Silva and Wendell Carter Jr. 

Da Silva had 23 points and Carter Jr. added 11 points and 11 rebounds. As Cavs guard Keon Ellis continued to knock down shots on the perimeter, da Silva and Carter seemed to respond each time.

“It’s important,” Mosley said about the impact of the team’s role players. “That guys know when they step on the floor that they’re going to be asked to do those little things.” 

“He's playing out of his mind right now,” Bane said about da Silva. “I mean, connecting everything on both ends of the floor, taking on defensive challenges. You know, I think that his role has changed— stepping in the lineup; stepping out of the lineup. He's doing a pretty good job.” 

When the Magic can facilitate without turning the ball over, their offense becomes a lethal force, and that was proven again on Wednesday night.  

Orlando had 29 assists and just six turnovers in the win, and Mosley highlighted his team’s willingness to share the ball. 

“I think it just keeps going to the mindset that these guys have for one another, knowing that they believe in each other, that they're trusting each other. You know, you have 29 assists and only six turnovers. So, the ball was being shared.” 

The Magic will return to action on Thursday when they host the Washington Wizards. 

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