When LaMelo's shooting cooled down in the second half, the game slipped away entirely. Orlando continued to build on their already sizeable lead in the closing minutes, as point differential can be crucial to advance out of the NBA Cup group stage. If you want to learn more about how the in-season tournament works, you can do so HERE.

The court inside Kia Center might have looked different than usual for Orlando‘s first NBA Cup group play matchup against the Hornets — it was light gray with a large gold trophy in the center and a blue outline — but the Magic‘s pathway to victory looked much the same Tuesday night as it did in their last two.

Charlotte has a little work to do if it plans on having any shot at a December trip to Las Vegas, site of the tournament’s championship game for the second straight year. A 114-89 loss to the Magic in a East Group A matchup at Kia Center means the Hornets will have to dig out of a hole to advance out of pool play.