Mavericks Outlast Magic 101-92, Continue Playoff Pursuit

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Orlando Magic 101-92, fueled by a pivotal 20-2 run to close the third quarter. Jaden Hardy led the Mavericks with 22 points, while Paolo Banchero scored 35 points for the Magic, who fell to 35-39 after their three-game winning streak ended. Both teams were vying for key play-in tournament positions, with the Mavericks improving to 36-38 as they continue to battle for playoff contention in the Western Conference. The Magic held a 68-57 lead midway through the third quarter, but turnovers and foul trouble severely impacted their performance, allowing Dallas to take control. The Mavericks capitalized on Orlando's mistakes, scoring 22 points off 17 turnovers. The Magic will seek to bounce back in their upcoming games against the Kings and Clippers.