In the first 10 games before the shot, Ben averaged 14.2 points on 29.3% shooting on 4.1 attempts from 3-point range, adding 4.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists and half a steal.
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The points he put up during the first five years of his career with the Grizzlies were a far cry from the type of player he once was before Orlando acquired him in a blockbuster trade last summer.
In eight games since that shot?
He has returned to form averaging 21.4 points on 41.5% shooting on 5.9 attempts from distance along with 5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals.
“Definitely,” Benn said after Tuesday’s shootout inside Xfinity Mobile Arena when asked if the game winner helped him. “Where I come from, how I was brought up, the things I’ve gone through, faith is a huge thing for me and after doing that shot, I just felt loved by everyone.
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“Orlando is starting to feel like home,” he said. “I feel like I’ve settled in there ever since.”
Ben’s surge in scoring has come at a time when the Magic needed it most.
Orlando ruled out All-Star forward Paolo Banchero (left groin strain) for the seventh straight contest Tuesday against the 76ers. Before the game, the Magic were 4–2 without Banchero, with bench forward Franz Wagner and guard Jalen Suggs (who returned from the injury report on Tuesday after missing Sunday’s game at Boston) leading the way.
After losing to the Celtics to start a three-game road trip, the Magic were 7–3 in their last 10 games.
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“I think everything is a work in progress,” Ben said. “I think I’ve said it before, but as the season goes on we all want to play our best basketball and continue to get better. We’ve done that collectively as a group.”
Even when Ben wasn’t playing the type of basketball he had planned with his new team, the 27-year-old guard continued to say the right things and do the necessary work to get back on track.
Entering Tuesday, he had scored in double figures 14 times and more than 20 points eight times, and was in the top 10 in free-throw percentage (92.5%) among all players who have appeared in at least 15 games, according to NBA.com.
The Magic hope to continue that upward trajectory when they travel to Detroit on Friday for a crucial NBA Cup game that could determine East Group B and who will host the quarterfinal matchup.
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“I never lost faith, though,” Ben said. “I’ve always been confident in my work and I’m glad we’re getting results.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Ahead…
magic on the piston
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Little Caesars Arena
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida
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