The Minnesota Timberwolves ran out of answers Wednesday in a 132-120 loss to the Orlando Magic, done in by a superior bench unit and a relentless Magic interior presence that generated 28 second-chance points off 19 offensive rebounds.
Terrence Shannon Jr. was the lone Timberwolf who looked capable of matching Orlando’s pace, finishing with 33 points on 11-of-14 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three-point range, with five assists. It was an efficient, aggressive outing, but it wasn’t enough.
Jaden McDaniels added 18 points and Naz Reid contributed 15 points, five rebounds and three steals off the bench. But Minnesota was outscored in three of four quarters, and Orlando’s lead ballooned to 24 at its widest.
Goga Bitadze led the Magic with 14 points and 15 rebounds and added six assists in a dominant double-double, while Desmond Bane contributed 18 points and six assists. Orlando shot 53.7 percent from the field overall and got 64 points in the paint, a mismatch Minnesota’s defense never resolved.
Kyle Anderson had his moments, eight points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks, but his minus-25 plus-minus underscored how badly the Wolves were outgunned in his minutes. A technical foul on Shannon and a coach’s technical further complicated Minnesota’s night.
The Wolves next travel to face the Houston Rockets on Friday.
