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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 113, Charlotte Hornets 98

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 16, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) shoots as Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) defends while center Frank Kaminsky III (44) comes up to assist during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic won 113-98. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) shoots as Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) defends while center Frank Kaminsky III (44) comes up to assist during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Orlando Magic won 113-98. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic offense was moving well and a couple players stood out for their excellence in an excellent win for the Magic at home.

The last time the Orlando Magic were in the Amway Center, they were getting run out of their building and having some part of their identity questioned. Things had slipped for the Magic and they needed time to get it back.

After Monday’s working of the Nets and now Tuesday’s working of the Charlotte Hornets in a 113-98 victory at Amway Center, the Magic have started to find themselves again. At least on offense.

Orlando shot a season-high 55.8 percent and made a season-high 14 3-pointers dishing out 28 assists including 18 in their first 23 makes in the first half.

The Magic bullrushed the Hornets with great passing and aggressive offense. Charlotte’s defense struggled to catch up and close out. The Magic always seemed one pass ahead.

This was a team matching a previous game and finding some consistency at long last.

Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON. A. <p><strong><a href=. PG

A. <p><strong><a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. CHANNING FRYE

Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. B+. <p>The Magic played so good as a team in this game, it is somewhat hard to find and think about how individuals did in the game. So few individuals stood out because everyone played so well together. That is the nature of a team game.</p><p>With that in mind, <strong><a href=. SG

B+. <p><strong><a href=. PF/C. Orlando Magic. JASON SMITH

6th East. CHARLOTTE HORNETS. F. <p>This Charlotte Hornets team is better on defense than it showed tonight. Once again the Orlando Magic got a team playing at perhaps their worst and took advantage.</p><p>The Hornets never could corral the Magic and keep them from out of the paint. They never made any serious threat at the lead in the second half, never getting it to single digits after halftime. Nothing seemed to work and even though the Hornets have a good shooting team — and made 14 of 34 3-pointers — they could not mount any serious run.</p><p>That goes on the defense and to the turnovers. Charlotte committed 16 turnovers for 25 Orlando points. That is very uncharacteristic of this team as this was an uncharacteristic game.</p>. 14-10