ORLANDO — Defense. Defense. Defense.

Consistent success for the Magic all starts on the defensive end of the floor.

That was the message Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley drilled into his players ahead of Thursday’s game against the Kings at Kia Center amidst a season-long six-game losing streak.

The Magic, however, lacked defensive intensity for most of the night when Sacramento scored 29-plus points in each of the first three quarters, but still found a way to record a much-needed win, 121-117, over the Western Conference foe.

Paolo Banchero (30 points) scored at least 30 points in a third straight game, Desmond Bane added 23 and Tristan da Silva finished with 18 to help Orlando record its first win in nearly two weeks.

Sacramento (19-55), which entered with the worst record in the West, was led by 33 points from DeMar DeRozan and had six different players finish in double figures.

Neither side took care of the ball as the Magic scored 16 points off 11 takeaways and the Kings racked up 13 points off 12 Orlando turnovers.

The Magic (39-34) head back on the road for one game when they go north to Toronto on Sunday.

Banchero’s ball

The Magic forward attacked downhill early and often to notch 10 points in the opening quarter and a team-high 18 in the first half.

Although Banchero shot 1 for 4 from 3-point range, he approached a triple-double with nine rebounds and seven assists in 38 minutes.

The performance marked his 13 time this season scoring more than 30 points when he finished 7 for 8 at the free-throw line.

Suggs’ slow return

Jalen Suggs returned to the floor Thursday after missing the past two games due to an illness.

The Magic guard converted his first 3-pointer of the night but opened 1 for 5 from the floor to start.

Adding four rebounds and four assists, Suggs ended with just eight points in 34 minutes, but his most important shot came with 27.4 seconds left in the game when he extended Orlando’s lead to four points with his second 3-pointer.

Rest of starters

Tristan da Silva opened by hitting his first 3-pointer and made all four of his first-half free throws to reach 11 points by the break. He added his third triple of the night late in the third

Desmond Bane only scored five points in the first half but scored seven points in the first three minutes of the third quarter. He only took two shots from the floor before the break and ended 6 for 11 from the floor by adding 11 points in the fourth.

Wendell Carter Jr. neared a double-double in the first half with eight points and eight rebounds. He got there eventually by finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds in 35 minutes.

Bench help

Third-year pro Jett Howard was first off Orlando’s bench and hit his first 3-pointer midway through the opening frame, but he didn’t score again.

After recently signing a standard NBA contract after starting the season on a two-way deal, Jamal Cain did a little bit of everything with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes. His night was highlighted by a two-handed slam in transition early in the second quarter.

Veteran guard Jevon Carter pieced together an efficient night, knocking down his first 3 and jumper to score seven points on 3 for 4 shooting in 13 minutes.

Free points

The Magic entered Thursday’s game still averaging a league-leading 26.9 free throw attempts per night. They shot 20 in the first half alone and made 17 when three players made at least three or more.

Sacramento got to the line plenty as well before the break, shooting 8 for 11.

Orlando ended 28 for 32 at the charity stripe while the Kings finished 13 for 16.

Rookie watch

First-round pick Jase Richardson entered late in the first quarter and knocked down his first 3-pointer to help score a quick five points.

The young guard, however, only saw five minutes of first-half action.

Second-round pick Noah Penda didn’t see the floor.

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