CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford talks about his team being at his best when it shares the ball and plays five-man basketball.
The Magic gave him what he wanted on Monday night.
Markelle Fultz recorded a career-high 14 assists as Orlando finished with a season-high 35 assists and withstood a late rally to beat the Charlotte Hornets 112-100 at Spectrum Center to snap a five-game losing streak.
Nikola Vucevic scored 22 points to lead the Magic (22-28). Evan Fournier scored 17 points, Aaron Gordon had 16 points, Terrence Ross had 13 and Fultz and Mo Bamba each had 12 for Orlando, which registered an assist on all but eight of its field goals.
Terry Rozier led the Hornets (16-34) with 18 points.
The Magic looked like they were cruising to victory as they pushed their lead to 99-83 on Gary Clark's corner 3 _ part of a 16-6 run _ with 7:40 remaining. The Hornets climbed within seven, at 102-95, on a 3 by Devonte' Graham before the Magic got a pair of clutch 3s from Ross in the final 3:16.
Fultz recorded seven of his assists in the first quarter as Orlando had nine assists on its 10 field goals.
Orlando played without forward/center Khem Birch, who missed the game because of a sore back. Birch had started the past four games and 12 of the 15 games since Jonathan Isaac went out with a knee injury.
Wes Iwundu started in place of Birch.
The Magic return to action Wednesday in Boston, where they will take on the Celtics at TD Garden. The game tips off at 7 p.m. and will be televised on Fox Sports Florida. It will be the first game of a back-to-back set, with Orlando facing the Knicks in New York on Thursday.
