142. Finale. 119. 38. Magical Wizards Final 03.06.24. 109
Wednesday was a decisive victory for the Orlando Magic on the second night of a row. Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets It was a hard-fought battle where the Orlando Magic continued to work defensively, leading to easy transitions.
Nothing was easy. It was a physically demanding match.
Playing a back-to-back game against the team with the highest pace in the league without several key players – Wendell Carter, Gary Harris and Jonathan Isaac all sitting. The Magic would have to dig deep and deepen their bag of tricks to achieve victory, even against the lowly Washington Wizards.
Everything would be different without two floor spacers in the starting lineup, Harris and Carter. They would need someone to force action and take charge.
Even after facing a 21-point deficit in the second quarter, the Magic found someone to beat the drum and give the Magic a victory.
With Orlando cutting the deficit to 11 at halftime, Paolo Banchero took over in the third quarter with 13 of his 25 points in the quarter as the Magic took the lead heading into the fourth quarter. Banchero continues to take his game to another level.
The Magic made a comeback thanks to contributions from the entire roster. But without a doubt, Banchero’s surge in the third quarter and the attention he demanded was a big reason why the Magic took the lead for a 119-109 victory.
“It’s kind of our job to lead the charge and play at a high level,” Paolo Banchero said after Wednesday’s match. “I know I didn’t do that in the first half. So I wanted to come out in the second half and change that and increase my energy. We just wanted to come out and respond.”
Banchero has taken his game to another level since coach Jamahl Mosley surrounded him with three-point shooters in Harris and Carter. Over the last 16 games, Banchero is averaging 23.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. He is becoming an elite player and is evolving game after game.
The fact that he can do that and score on so many levels – attack the paint and drive his way to the basket, hit reverse jumpers or shots from beyond the arc – and be a great playmaker shows how far his game has expanded.
Wednesday’s match was a perfect example of what makes Banchero so special.
Orlando was without two of their best shooters during Wednesday’s match. The Wizards took full advantage in the first half, scoring 10 3-pointers and building a lead as large as 21 points.
Washington was able to crowd the paint and clog up space for Banchero to attack. The Wizards were forcing bad picks and crowding the paint, which led to Banchero forcing shots and bad passes. The Magic couldn’t find their offensive rhythm and Washington wasted no time, coming out in transition to take advantage of mistakes.
After struggling during the first quarter and a half, the Magic chose to rely on their two stars on offense. Franz Wagner spearheaded efforts in the second quarter to erase the deficit.
Banchero then asserted himself as the best player on the field in the third quarter.
“Paolo is an All-Star. Franz is on his way to becoming an All-Star,” said coach Jamahl Mosley after Wednesday’s game. “The way they play against each other, and then it becomes unselfish and that trickles down to the rest of the group. It challenges them to make the right play at the right time for their teammates. And that’s the trust that This group has for It’s nice to watch because you can see this confidence that they have in each other and that they have in themselves.
During Orlando’s campaign to reduce the deficit, Banchero was demand the ball on the elbow or low block and immediately attacking the defense.
He used his frame to force his way into the paint with powerful dribbles and collapse the defense. Banchero then used his repertoire of spin and post moves for fadeaway jumpers, passing to an open teammate or finishing over the top.
He takes what the defense gives him and honestly, the defense doesn’t really have a choice.
Banchero shot 9 of 15 from within 10 feet for the game, showing he wasn’t content with jumpers. He finished shooting 10 of 19 overall. Banchero has established himself as an elite offensive weapon. He makes effective shots. There is no ceiling for Paolo and his development.
Banchero has been given the keys to success and is putting it all together faster than expected.
Banchero has the skills to score in multiple ways. He can take on and beat defenders off the dribble. He can post up and use his spin move to get to his fadeaway, or he can back his man up for easy finishes.
He has excellent contact on the glass, or he can use a floater in the lane over the defense. Teams try to double-team him but he has the awareness to find open teammates for cuts or open shots. He finished with 10 assists against Washington.
“I think it was just about making a simple play,” Paolo Banchero said after Wednesday’s game. “I think the last two games I was sloppy in my decision-making. I wanted to make a simple play and give it to the guys when they’re open and let them do the rest.”
The way Banchero can already move his defender at such a young age shows why he was the first overall pick. He can play bully ball and push back smaller defenders, but also shows the ability to cope and accelerate against them.
There were several possessions where he gained position with his back to the basket by simply lowering his shoulder. This is rare for second-year players.
The Magic gives him the latitude to do all of that. He does it well. And that elevates the Magic — not just to a 21-point comeback, but to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference at this late stage of the season.
The Magic’s two young stars set the tone for the team.
“I think we have a great responsibility” Franz Wagner said after Wednesday’s match. “I think we both want to make sure we make the right play and give it back to the team. I think we did a really good job, especially with our mentality. I think we had the right state of play. “mentality at halftime. I think everyone didn’t put their heads down even when it was close. That’s exactly the type of mentality we need as the season goes on.”
The Wizards had no choice but to double it after several possessions of easy baskets. Banchero noticed this and adjusted his playing style. He attacked the lane looking to force the defense to collapse and hit his teammates in the shooting pocket for open shots.
Banchero proves that he can adjust his playing style depending on how he is played on defense. It takes a certain level of maturity to understand that winning is what matters. Banchero is prove to the whole world that he is a winner and everyone in the Magic organization follows his lead.
The Magic didn’t falter as they fell behind by 21 points and staged the biggest comeback of the season. Banchero and Wagner have established themselves as one of the toughest duos to contain in the league. This is largely due to the physicality that both play with and Banchero is not diminishing.
The Orlando Magic’s playoff hopes hinge on handling business. dark. Following. Magic playoff hopes 07/03/24
Orlando has grown together and made huge strides the franchise hasn’t seen in a decade, and Banchero is the centerpiece of that turnaround. He continues to evolve and develop his game in the biggest moments. And there are still great moments to come.
