A three-hour flight delay from Atlanta can’t stop me from watching the #Magic and #Thunder!

The #Thunder start Isaiah Hartenstein on Paolo Banchero. He drains a free-throw line jumper to start the game. Good sign after he struggled so much last night.

Desmond Bane drains a step-back three on the next possession.

5-2 ORL, 11:03 1st

The #Thunder have started 3 for 9 and the #Magic are generally playing solid defense, contesting shots and redirecting players where they want. But they need to be sharper on offense. Missing shots at the rim and turning it over some.

12-8 ORL, 6:40 1st

The #Thunder are essentially putting a strong-side zone whenever Paolo catches the ball in the corner. They make sure he sees three guys in his way to the basket. He has to be smarter about drawing them in and dishing out to #Magic's shooters. Can't force drives.

17-17, 1:57 1st

The #Magic played a really solid first quarter and unraveled a bit in the last two minutes. Some silly fouls on Shai. A bad loose-ball foul on Bane. Just little things that add up quickly against an elite team.

23-19 OKC, 0:26 1st

Moe Wagner beats the buzzer to answer a Cason Wallace three. #Magic trying to survive the minutes without Paolo on the floor. Getting to the paint is a tough job against this #Thunder team.

OKC leads 26-22 after one quarter.

The #Magic have been *really* bad with Paolo Banchero off the floor. They are always in survival mode with this second unit in. And it is survival mode again as the #Thunder are working the ball into the paint and getting Chet Holmgren in the dunker spot.

32-24 OKC, 10:12 2nd

The #Magic are shooting 8 for 27 (29.6%). It is a minor miracle they are still within 12. The #Thunder's bench is creating distance. The Magic's shot quality right now is really poor.

36-24 OKC, 9:46 2nd

This is a big moment in this game. The #Magic have let the #Thunder expand the lead to 12. Mosley rightly called a timeout (I would have done it a little earlier). He comes back with the same group -- Suggs/Bane/Jett/Penda/Moe.

Could very easily lose the game here.

#Magic came out of the timeout with Jared McCain knocking the ball away from Jalen Suggs out of bounds for a turnover, an Ajay Mitchell three and then a Jared McCain layup.

Paolo, Dell, Tristan and Jevon are at the table.

43-27 OKC, 8:27 2nd

The #Thunder go +8 with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the bench. The danger of this Thunder team is not only they have the MVP, they have a deep bench of guys who know how to play well together on both ends.

45-33 OKC, 5:13 2nd

Wendell Carter just refused to attack Alex Caruso while he was holding his in his hand. Caruso just may have blocked a Tristan da Silva layup with said shoe. They call the foul and give Caruso a technical foul.

46-37 OKC, 4:06 2nd

The #Magic are 6 for 23 from three. That is still way too many attempts for this team. But their starters are mostly getting good looks and missing them again. Have to make outside shots against this #Thunder team. Especially when they are 2 for 13 from deep.

46-38 OKC, 2:32 2nd

The #Magic trailed by as much as 17 points in the first half. Really nice job to cut into the deficit. They end with back-to-back threes by Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane to trail the #Thunder 51-50. Team is still in the fight.

Every time Paolo touches the ball, he takes three guys with him even on this #Thunder defense. The #Magic's success tonight will go with how Banchero attacks and reads that defense. Has done a great job finding shooters. Just need to make shots.

61-60 ORL, 8:08 3rd

When Paolo is hitting step-back threes, you know he is feeling it, and it may not be your night. Shai is pretty good, so this is not over just because of Paolo. But this is a masterful showing so far against this D.

26 points, 9 rebounds, 9/15 FGs for P5.

72-68 ORL, 5:26 3d

The #Magic's bench is starting to filter in. Jett Howard made a huge three a moment ago. Jevon Carter and Moe Wagner on the floor now. This is where the #Magic lost tough with the #Thunder in the first half. Have to keep this lead heading to the fourth.

77-75 ORL, 3:10 3rd

The #Magic led by as much as seven behind some masterful play from Paolo Banchero. But that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander guy answered and got the #Thunder into the lead heading to the fourth. Some silly fouls late from Moe Wagner expands OKC's lead to 85-79 heading to the fourth.

Interesting Jamal Cain at the 4 minutes with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein on the floor together. Goga Bitadze is in for the #Magic at center too.

89-83 OKC, 9:34 4th

Back-to-back threes from Jamal Cain and Desmond Bane put the #Magic back in the lead. The bench has played a lot better in the second half than the first. Understatement of the year.

Big with Paolo on the bench.

90-89 ORL, 8:20 4th

The #Magic will make the first move and bring Paolo back in early as Bane commits his fifth foul on an Ajay Mitchell and-one. The right call to get Paolo in early even if SGA can sit. Magic need a strong Paolo finish to win this one.

94-90 OKC, 7:14 4th

And the #Thunder go back up seven as SGA goes to the table. #Magic just not able to get some key shots to go down. Had several frustratingly bounce in and out. Still have the problem of the wrong guys getting the late shot-clock attempts.

97-90 OKC, 6:05 4th

It is almost crunch time and so the #Magic will bring Desmond Bane back in with five fouls. It's go time to close this game. Magic have fought hard to give themselves a chance. Going to take that extra bit to get it.

97-93 OKC, 5:17 4th

The #Magic will burn their use-it-or-lose-it timeout to challenge a foul call on Wendell Carter. He was defending Ajay Mitchell when Mitchell initiated contact and got the foul call granted. Big call to keep it a two-point game.

97-95 OKC, 3:40 4th

Challenge is unsuccessful. Foul on Carter is upheld and Ajay Mitchell will go to the line. Worth the try. That one was always going to be tough to overturn. But it was close.

Mitchell makes both. #Thunder back up four on the #Magic.

99-95 OKC, 3:40 4th

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a dagger three after Wendell Carter split a pair of free throws. Tristan da Silva could not answer after Paolo found him in the corner open for three.

The difference is not a lot tonight. But it is still huge.

104-96 OKC, 2:32 4th

A valiant effort for the #Magic as they continue to play their best on the second night of back-to-backs (now 8-3 on the season). But the #Thunder made the plays down the stretch. #Magic couldn't get Paolo the ball in scoring spots, and they missed shots. OKC wins 113-108.