ATLANTA — The Magic believed they had turned a corner with two wins in a row by leaning more into their defensive identity ahead of Tuesday’s return to NBC at Atlanta.

But Orlando, who fell 127-112 to the Hawks at State Farm Arena, reverted back to looking more like the team that started the season 1-4 rather than the latter.

Jamahl Mosley‘s squad couldn’t hit accurately from 3-point range (11 for 34), fouled too much (30) and lacked the mental fortitude needed on both ends of the court to win on the road in front of a national TV audience.

The Magic, who went 2-3 on their five-game road trip, cut an 18-point deficit to just four late in the second quarter but allowed Atlanta to end the first half on a 14-1 run to lead by 17 at the break.

The Hawks (4-4) had six players, including all five starters, score 14-or-more points when they led by as many as 25 in their first home win of the season.

The Magic (3-5) return to Kia Center on Friday when they open group play of the NBA Cup against the Celtics at Kia Center. The sides meet again Sunday.

Starting 5

None of Orlando’s first five on the floor — Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. — reached double digit figures in the first half.

Banchero ended with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in 37 minutes, but failed to connect from distance when he missed all four long-range attempts.

Wagner also couldn’t hit from 3 when he shot 0 for 3 and ended with just 18 points in 34 minutes.

Bane picked up two quick fouls in the opening three minutes of the game before he hit a pair of triples in the second frame to help Orlando crawl back into contest.

But he wasn’t the only starter who found themselves in foul trouble early. Less than a minute after Wendell Carter Jr. picked up his third foul late in the first half, Suggs earned his third and a technical on the same play.

Suggs, who had two turnovers with 12 points, picked up a fourth foul early in the third quarter. Carter later earned his fifth foul when he ended with 11 points in 30 minutes.

Bane ejected

The Magic guard picked up his fourth foul when he pulled down Onyeka Okongwu in transition with 5:24 left in the third quarter.

Bane then slammed the ball down in the direction of the Atlanta forward, which caused some back and forth between the teams under the basket. After review, Bane’s initial foul was upgraded to a flagrant one foul and he was ejected from the contest when he was given a technical foul.

The Magic trailed by 14 points when Bane (who ended with 9 in 23 minutes) was tossed and saw Atlanta increase its lead to 21 entering the fourth quarter.

Second unit

Tristan da Silva was the lone member of the Magic bench to make an impact on the floor.

The third forward continued to cut well to the basket and hit twice from distance before the break when he totaled 20 points in 25 minutes.

Anthony Black added 7 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists off the bench.

Rookie watch

Richardson checked into game after Bane was ejected.

The first-round pick played the final four minutes of the third quarter when he missed his lone 3-point attempt. He ended scoreless with one turnover in seven minutes.

Magic second-round pick Noah Penda entered with two minutes left and the game out of reach. He scored a quick four points with two rebounds.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com