Paolo Banchero works his magic and ends 8-year dry spell for Magic with win over Nets

The Orlando Magic achieved a crucial 114-106 win against the Brooklyn Nets, bouncing back strongly from a recent setback, a 111-97 defeat at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. This victory was especially significant, drawing on the collective strength and skill of key players Wendell Carter Jr., Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and,notably, the team’s first-time All-Star Paolo Banchero. Their concerted effort on Wednesday night played a critical role in notching a win that will be remembered for its importance in the team’s season progression.

Paolo Banchero breaks franchise drought with impressive record

In the spotlight was Paolo Banchero, whose performance on the court was nothing short of remarkable. Banchero set a new benchmark for the Magic, becoming the first player since 2016 to score more than 20 points while maintaining a perfect shooting record, tallying 21 points, nine assists, and achieving a 6-for-6 shooting spree from the field, including a precise three-pointer. This remarkable feat echoed Andrew Nicholson’s impeccable performance against the Nets over eight years prior, where Nicholson netted 24 points on a flawless 9-for-9 shooting, including a trio of three-pointers.

Paolo is the 1st Magic with 20+ PTS on 100 FG% since Andrew Nicholson in 2016.https://t.co/CwqYYiPEqp

— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 14, 2024

Coach Jamahl Mosley offered high praise for Paolo Banchero’s remarkable performance, particularly emphasizing his strategic approach and patience on the floor. Reflecting on Banchero’s perfection in play and his patience in shot selection, Mosley said, “I thought he did a great job of recognizing and reading the way the defense was loading up on him.”

Mosley continued, highlighting Banchero’s adaptability and game awareness: “He had some great passes cross-court, recognizing where the double teams were coming from.”

The coach further admired Banchero’s composure under pressure, adding, “But he had a level of patience and poise, being able to read the game and his teammates continue to trust him, and he continues to make the right play.”

Paolo Banchero vs. Brooklyn:

21 PTS
9 AST
100% FG (!)
8-9 FT
+18 +/- pic.twitter.com/QOcz6kGnag

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 14, 2024

The road ahead: Magic’s crucial matchups

As the Orlando Magic gear up for their upcoming challenges, they are faced with a demanding schedule that kicks off with an away game against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. Following this, they will play host to the Raptors at the KIA Center, seizing the chance to build on their recent success. These back-to-back matchups against the Raptors offer the Magic a golden opportunity to sustain their positive trajectory, buoyed by the morale boost from their decisive victory over the Brooklyn Nets and Paolo Banchero’s standout performance.

With the win, the Magic have improved their record to 38-28, placing them 10 games above .500 and positioning them as the No. 5 seed in the conference, just 0.5 games behind the New York Knicks, with 16 games left in the season. This puts the team in a strong position to continue their push up the standings, drawing on the confidence surge provided by their recent performances.

With high spirits and a clear focus on the tasks ahead, the Magic are ready to face their forthcoming games with a heightened sense of purpose and ambition, aiming to capitalize on every opportunity to enhance their standing and make a significant impact as the season progresses and the playoffs near.