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Orlando Magic · The inklings of the Orlando Magic’s arrival into proven contender status could’ve been verified within the 2023-24 season’s opening weeks, as they walked through December trailing only one team in the Eastern Conference standings. Extended the opportunity to take another seismic step on the defending champions’ home floor, Orlando found that this day’s excellence would require a full-on run. Dealt an 18-point deficit early into the third quarter, Orlando, already tested by injuries, worked cohesively, spurring a 3-point avalanche into a season-elevating victory on January 5, 2024. In the type of challenging occasion that ambitious up-and-comers often relish rising to, Paolo Banchero — through a 32-point, 10-rebound, 11-assist showing for his career’s first-ever triple-double — shepherded the charge. Following their All-Star forward’s game-of-their-life approach, Jalen Suggs added a career-best 27 points alongside healthy contributions from Cole Anthony (23 off-the-bench points) and Moritz Wagner (19 points, 11 rebounds). Less than 24 hours removed from clawing out of a 18-point road hole of their own, Denver was offered a taste of its own medicine, allowing 17 triples in the collapse. The win marked one of many high points for Orlando’s 47-win season, their most fruitful from start-to-finish since 2010-11. · State of Mint · State of Mint