Yahoo Autos Paolo Banchero put up another 30-point game in win over Hornets
Paolo Banchero produced another 30-point outing on Friday to help the Orlando Magic to a win over the Charlotte Hornets and maintain ground in the play-in race.
Banchero recorded 31 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one blocked shot in the 117-106 victory on the road. He went 13-of-26 from the field, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range, in 35 minutes of work as the Magic improved to 27-37 on the season.
The top pick finished with his fifth 30-point game with the performance, the most by a rookie this season. He is tied with Dennis Scott for the second-most 30-point games by a rookie in team history.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley liked the effort by Banchero.
I thought his level of aggression was there. His ability to get to his spots on the floor, attacking the basket the same way with that level of aggression. I think his teammates trusted him in those minutes.
Said Banchero:
I’m just learning the NBA game trying to pick my spots on the floor, when to be aggressive, etc. I’ve always been able to go get a bucket so whenever I’m asked to do that, I have no problem with it.
💪 @Pp_doesit dropped 22 of his 31 in the 2nd half of the @OrlandoMagic W! pic.twitter.com/ELbjXgWhXr
— NBA (@NBA) March 4, 2023
Banchero provided a lift for the Magic at a time of need.
Franz Wagner went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter and was later ruled out of returning after scoring nine points. Banchero responded by scoring 16 points in the third quarter to help the Magic build a 24-point lead in the quarter.
Charlotte clawed back into the contest and cut the deficit down to seven points with 3:42 left to play. Orlando responded with a couple of baskets to push the lead back to 11 to seal the win.
Banchero, speaking with Bally Sports Florida, had no issue stepping up.
When you see one of your best players go down like that, you got to lift him up. I think everyone had to step up. You don’t want to see him go down, but we had to accept the challenge and finish it out with a win.
With the win, the Magic pulled to within four games of the Washington Wizards for the last play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. They still have 18 games left to play this season, including two games against the Wizards later this month.
The team welcomes the opportunity to play in those games.
“We gotta keep working,” Banchero said. “We are (four) games back. We get to go back home (for the next four games) in front of our home crowd and try to run off some wins. We’re going to have to lock in and win some games but it is exciting knowing that you have a shot.”
