Considering the quality of the opponent, have had a strong start to their four-game road trip.
The Magic (20-32) split their mini-series with the 76ers in Philadelphia, before .
The 76ers have been a top-three seed in the East for the last several weeks and were on a seven-game win streak before dropping the first matchup.
It’s why the Magic left Philadelphia and landed in Minneapolis on Thursday morning even more confident in themselves.
“We were resilient in our win, going down by [21], [being] able to fight back and get the dub. [Wednesday], we just didn’t make shots,” starting big man Wendell Carter Jr. “We did a really good job defensively so that’s a positive we can walk away from this game.
“At the same time, we have to look at stepping into shots more confidently and getting better, quality shots.”
The Magic have played up to the competition for most of the season, especially recently.
They’re 15-13 in their last 28 games, when Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz had their minutes restrictions lifted since returning Nov. 30.
Within that stretch, the Magic are 10-7 against teams with a record of .500 and above at the time of the matchup.
With each win, it appears they grow more self-assured, especially defensively.
They held the 76ers to below-league-average offensive efficiency in both matchups despite Philadelphia being ranked top-10 in offensive rating — points scored per 100 possessions.
The Magic did the same thing in their three wins over the Boston Celtics, the league’s top team at 37-15 entering Thursday’s games.
They’ll get another test against a playoff-caliber team against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at Target Center.
The Timberwolves (28-26) are disappointing, holding the sixth-best record in the West, but they have won 12 of their last 17 games.
“We understand how we have to play,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “These guys get it. We have to make sure we play with that level of intensity, sense of urgency and hang our hat on the defensive end of the floor.”
Jonathan Isaac is expected to be available against the Timberwolves after sitting Wednesday because of left knee injury management.
Banchero honored
was , the league announced Thursday.
Banchero, the No. 1 pick in the draft, led all NBA rookies in scoring with 20.1 points per game for the month to go along with 5.9 rebounds (tied for fifth) and 3.2 assists (tied for third).
He became the third player in Magic history to be named the league’s Rookie of the Month in consecutive months after .
Banchero joined Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Mike Miller and Victor Oladipo as the only Magic players to be named Rookie of the Month more than once.
“It’s special to be able to get any accolade in this league,” Banchero said after Thursday’s practice at Target Center. “It was a good month for the team. An up-and-down month for myself, but I finished strong. Looking forward to start up February.”
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, the No. 4 pick in the draft, was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive month, too.
Banchero has the best odds of winning Rookie of the Year as of Thursday, according to .
He’s averaging 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1 steal for the season, leading all rookies in scoring and minutes while also ranking third in assists and steals and fourth in rebounding.
This article first appeared on . Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at .
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