In his much-anticipated matchup with another no.1 overall pick, Paolo Banchero delivered a performance to remember before the home crowd.
The rising star tallied a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists to lead the Magic to a dominant 121-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
The Magic stayed hot at home behind another terrific all-around performance from Banchero, who seemed enjoying every second of his rare duel with fellow top pick Zion Williamson.
i love watching Paolo hoop @Kia pic.twitter.com/GrFShxT9C0
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 22, 2024
He also received plenty of support from his teammates with his frontcourt partner Franz Wagner scoring 18 points and guard Jalen Suggs finishing with a game-high 22 points.
Orlando converted at least half of their shot attempts for the fifth straight game, shooting 54 percent from the field and 39 percent from beyond the arc.
After trailing 23-28 at the end of the first period, the home team had strong rallies in the second and third periods to build a 20-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. And although the Pelicans outscored the Magic 31-26 in the payoff period, it was too much of a deficit for them to overcome.
Williamson recorded 20 points and 7 rebounds in 29 minutes while Troy Murphy III scored a team-high 21 points off the bench for New Orleans, who could not extend their three-game winning streak.
The Magic have strengthened their grip on the top spot of the Southeast Division standings, improving their record to 42-28 after securing their fifth straight victory.
WAGIC WIN ???? pic.twitter.com/BJMcAMUKFS
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 22, 2024
Orlando will resume their home stand over the weekend, playing the Sacramento Kings for the second time this season. The Magic lost to the Kings, 138-135, in their first meeting last January despite a 43-point explosion from Banchero.
THE CONVERSATION.