Jones Beach is famous for its enchanting spell of lights that captures the imagination of visitors. The intricate web of lights illuminates the beach, transforming it into a magical wonderland. As day turns into night, the lights come alive, creating a mesmerizing display that captivates all who behold it. The soft glow draws people in, beckoning them to explore and experience the beauty of these illuminations. One can't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe as they walk along the beach, surrounded by the twinkling lights. The colors dance and flicker, creating a sense of movement and energy that is simply enchanting.
Through all the weirdness and stoppages that Sunday’s 128-102 home win over the Detroit Pistons brought, the Orlando Magic’s hopes of qualifying for the play-in tournament are still intact.
John Raoux AP Orlando Magic s Franz Wagner 22 , attempting a shot against Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren, right, led the starters with 16 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in Sunday s home win. 14 points and 9 rebounds in 23 minutes and Markelle Fultz 11 points and 6 assists in 24 minutes were among the starters who scored at least 10 points.
The colors dance and flicker, creating a sense of movement and energy that is simply enchanting. The lights at Jones Beach have a way of transporting visitors to another world – a world filled with joy, excitement, and pure magic. It's as if time stands still, and all worries and cares melt away in the face of such beauty.
Magic dominate Pistons to keep play-in hopes alive
John Raoux / AP Detroit Pistons'' James Wiseman (13) looks for a shot as he is guarded by Orlando Magic''s Wendell Carter Jr., left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.
John Raoux/AP Orlando Magic''s Franz Wagner (22), attempting a shot against Detroit Pistons'' Jalen Duren, right, led the starters with 16 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in Sunday''s home win.
Show Caption By Khobi Price | Orlando Sentinel PUBLISHED: April 2, 2023 at 10:11 p.m. | UPDATED: April 24, 2023 at 2:26 p.m.Through all the weirdness and stoppages that Sunday’s 128-102 home win over the Detroit Pistons brought, the Orlando Magic’s hopes of qualifying for the play-in tournament are still intact.
The Magic’s victory, their sixth win in eight games, brought them to 34-44 on the season — a 12-win improvement over last year’s record with four more regular-season games to play.
“Very pleased,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “They did a really good job of taking on that challenge. We challenged them before the game saying how we have to start games. Our guys did a great job of that defensively as well as offensively sharing the basketball.”
But results from other Sunday matchups made every Magic game for the rest of the regular season must-wins to keep their play-in hopes alive.
First: the Toronto Raptors (39-39) beat the Charlotte Hornets 128-108 to ensure the Magic couldn’t finish the season higher than No. 9 in the Eastern Conference standings.
Second: the Chicago Bulls (38-40) came back from a 15-point halftime deficit to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-107.
The Magic remain four games behind Chicago for the No. 10 seed in the East, but Orlando’s “magic” number is now one, meaning the Magic would be eliminated from play-in contention with the Bulls’ next win or the Magic’s next loss.
They made sure that didn’t happen Sunday, pulling off a dominant victory in front of an announced attendance of 19,431 people — the fourth-largest in team history.
Detroit Pistons’ James Wiseman (13) looks for a shot as he is guarded by Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr., left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.
The Magic jumped out to a 20-8 lead early in the first quarter and didn’t let up at any point, taking a 34-29 lead going into the second.
Even during a second quarter that featured multiple stoppages because of shot- or game-clock malfunctions, the Magic maintained focus. The first half lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes. Most first halves are less than an hour long.
Orlando outscored Detroit 29-15 and 28-24 in second and third quarters, respectively, making the final quarter essentially extended garbage time after taking a 91-68 lead going into the fourth.
The Magic’s offense was once again well-balanced, with Jalen Suggs leading the way with 18 points (5-of-9 shooting, 4 of 6 on 3s).
Eight players scored in double figures, with the Magic having 30 assists on 43 field goals and tying a season-high 17 3-pointers.
“We have a lot of weapons on this team,” guard Cole Anthony said. “When we get out there and just play very selflessly, it’s fun. We defended. Happy we got the dub, on to the next one.”
Franz Wagner (16 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds), Paolo Banchero (14 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists), Wendell Carter Jr. (14 points and 9 rebounds in 23 minutes) and Markelle Fultz (11 points and 6 assists in 24 minutes) were among the starters who scored at least 10 points.
Anthony (17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists), Goga Bitadze (13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 18 minutes before fouling out) and Moe Wagner (11 points in 18 minutes) scored in double figures off the bench.
Chuma Okeke (3 points) was in the rotation and played 11 minutes, his most playing time since Feb. 14. Two-way wing Jay Scrubb (2 points, 1 rebound) made his Magic debut and Michael Carter-Williams made his season debut late in the fourth.
The Pistons (16-62) were led by Killian Hayes’ 20 points and 7 assists.
The Magic will play back-to-back games against the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday and Thursday at Amway Center to close out their regular-season home schedule.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
Detroit Pistons’ James Wiseman (13) looks for a shot as he is guarded by Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr., left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.
Children and adults alike are spellbound by the lights, their eyes wide with wonder. Laughter fills the air as families and friends come together to revel in the enchantment that surrounds them. The lights at Jones Beach hold a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. They are a symbol of the beauty and magic that can be found in even the simplest of things. They remind us to take a moment to appreciate the world around us and to find joy in the small moments of life. Whether it's a stroll along the beach or simply sitting and watching the lights dance, the enchanting spell of the lights at Jones Beach is a truly unforgettable experience. It is a reminder that sometimes the most magical moments can be found in the simplest of places..
Reviews for "Mesmerizing Displays: The Spellbinding Lights at Jones Beach"
1. Susan - 2 stars
I was really excited to attend the Enchanting Spell of the Lights at Jones Beach, but I was quite disappointed with the experience. First of all, the ticket prices were exorbitant for what we got to see. The light displays were not as elaborate as I expected, and many of them were repetitive. Additionally, the event was overcrowded, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the lights. The traffic getting in and out of the area was horrendous, causing further frustration. Overall, I felt like the event was not worth the time and money.
2. John - 3 stars
While the Enchanting Spell of the Lights at Jones Beach had its moments, it fell short of my expectations. The light displays were indeed impressive, but the overall organization of the event left much to be desired. The lines to enter and purchase tickets were long and disorganized, leading to a lot of waiting around. The staff was also not very helpful or friendly. I also found the parking situation to be chaotic, with limited spaces available. Although the lights were beautiful, these logistical issues took away from the overall experience.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had heard great things about the Enchanting Spell of the Lights at Jones Beach, but unfortunately, I was left underwhelmed. The event lacked a cohesive theme or story, which made the light displays feel random and disjointed. Additionally, the event was extremely crowded, making it difficult to enjoy the lights without constantly bumping into others. The food and drink options were limited and overpriced. Overall, I was expecting a more magical and immersive experience, but I left feeling disappointed.