Paolo Banchero exploded for a career playoff-high 39 points, but his effort would not be enough to save the Orlando Magic from suffering a heartbreaking defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-104, in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Banchero, averaging 23.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in the series, shot 14-for-24 from the field and 4-for-7 from the three-point area. The All-Star forward added eight rebounds and four assists in an efficient 38 minutes of play.
Unfortunately, the Magic couldn’t find much help outside of Banchero’s all-around brilliance, as only Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs ended up being the other Magic players who scored in double figures.
Orlando shot 46.2 percent from the field and 29.0 percent from beyond the arc. On the other hand, the Cavaliers converted 43.2% of their field goal attempts and 35.1 percent of their three-point bombs.
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 51 points, while Max Strus knocked down four treys and finished with 16 points. Apart from a 14-13 double-double game, Evan Mobley played incredibly well on the defensive end, making it hard for the Magic big men to operate inside.
Here are the highlights of Cavs-Magic Game 5:
The Magic still have a chance to send this series to a deciding game if they win Game 6 on May 2 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
THE CONVERSATION.