Zurab Talakvadze

Goga Bitadze gains a big respect

Orlando Magic are playing without their main star Paolo Banchero due to the untimely injury of the later. Magic are improving the often ripped off defense and it pays off.

Orlando beat the gunners from Chicago 125:120 and improved to 13:8, while the winning streak reached 3 games. The Magic have won 8 out of last 10 games so far.

Goga Bitadze had a game to remember. He finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds, a game high 4 blocked shots, 3 assists and a steal. Orlando are quietly pacing the offense and Goga looks more confident as the season goes on.

It was a special day for the special newcomer as well. Desmond Bane, who came in at a cost of a huge draft capital from the Memphis Grizzlies, had a hell of a game. He scored 37 points for a second game in a row. No player in a Magic uniform has done so since Tracy McGrady did for three straight games in 2004.Bane was effective from the field (12/17) and made all 10 of his free throws as well. Prior to that, he had 37 points against the pesky Pistons, where he also connected on 11/12 free throws.

Bitadze came as a substitute for Wendell Carter Jr. again and both bigs were solid. Carted finished with a respectable 17 points to go along 6 rebounds. Magic limited the star pivot from the Bulls Nikola Vucevic to 13 shots and 20 points and overall, their paint defense was good. Thanks in large part to active Bitadze who was all over the paint.

Banchero is missing, but Bane and Franz Wagner are filling the void. The German soldier was great once again with 25 points and some clutch shooting down the stretch. Jalen Suggs contributed with a game high 5 steals. All in all, it was a solid team effort from the Magic.

On the season, Goga is averaging 6.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 dimes and 1,3 blocked shots.

Orlando is already in a Play-Offs zone after a sluggish start.