The Orlando Magic slowed the Memphis Grizzlies for the first half.
Then came the decisive third quarter.
The Grizzlies nearly matched their first-half total with a 36-point outburst and they rode the momentum of the third quarter to a 92-75 victory over the Magic on Friday at FedEx Forum.
Cole Anthony and Mo Bamba each finished with 15 points for the Magic (19-44), who shot just 31.4% (27-of-86) and couldn’t overcome 20 turnovers.
Dillon Brooks scored 20 points to lead the Grizzlies (32-30), who outscored the Magic 29-11 in fast-break points.
Memphis made its first four shots to go up nine early, but Orlando eventually erased the deficit as the hosts went cold from the field.
At one point, the Grizzles were in a 6-of-34 (17.6%) stretch after their perfect start.
The Magic didn’t shoot well in the half either but did enough to take a 43-39 lead at the break behind 11 points from Anthony.
Then came the third quarter.
Back-to-back transition layups by Anthony and Gary Harris quickly pushed Orlando to a 48-39 lead — its largest of the game.
Memphis reeled off 11 of the next 14 points to tie the game at 51-51 as it picked up its defense. It was part of a bigger 33-8 run over the final 10:33 of the quarter as the Grizzlies went up 75-58.
Memphis shot 46.7%, mostly because of its 13 fast-break points.
Orlando, meanwhile, was 5-for-17 (29.4%) and committed seven turnovers.
Memphis carried the momentum into the fourth quarter, pushing its lead to as many as 24 points. The Magic closed within 11 after a Dwayne Bacon layup, but Brooks responded with a 3 to stem the push. Orlando failed to score over the final 4:41.
With the loss and the Wizards’ 122-93 win over the Cavaliers, the Magic have been eliminated from the postseason play-in tournament.
The Magic played without forward Chuma Okeke, shooting guard Terrence Ross, point guard Michael Carter-Williams and forward Otto Porter Jr. All were out with injuries.
The Magic and Grizzlies meet again Saturday in Orlando. The game tips off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Florida.
