NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Orlando Magic (26-36) defeated the New Orleans Pelicans (30-32) 101-93 at the Smoothie King Center on Monday night.
Banchero’s key shots in tie closing minutes broke the game from a tie to a 97-93 score one he was done.
Orlando rookie Paul Banchero capped a 29 point performance with three key mid-range shots in the fourth quarter to seal the win. For Banchero it was his 30th game tis season with 20 or more points.
”In those moments, you kind of just got to be able to go get a basket. I was confident I could do that,” Banchero said, adding that his teammates ”trust me to make the right play.”
Banchero carried his team who was struggling with shooting, including Franz Wagner ho went 4 of 10 from the filled and three of seven from deep.
Wendell Carter Jr managed to get a double-double with 11 pointed and 123 rebounds, Markelle Fultz continued his solid play with 14 points and 5 assists, and Mo Wagner brought in 14 points from the bench
Brandon Ingram scored 25 points for the Pens, followed by solid night from CJ McCollum with 18 points, and Herbert Jones with ten. The rest of the pet’s starters and bench scored in single digits.
The Magic leaned on their defense in this one. After jumping out to an 11 point lead in the first half, the scoring difference for each following quarter was minimal. Both teams were even in scoring in the paint, (ORL 38, No 36) and It was pretty close in fast break points (ORL 10, NO 14).
“Your effort, your energy level, your togetherness – I think those things have to continue to be who we are,” Mosley said.
Both teams matched each other in turnovers (21-21), giving the other team around 20 points, rendering their effect null.
It was the strong confidence in themselves that pulled them through, accruing to Markelle Fult, especially their confidence win Paolo.
”Tonight he did a great job of staying aggressive, getting to the free-throw line . getting to his spots, and knocking them down with confidence,” Magic guard Markelle Fultz said. ”When he’s playing like that it helps our team go. Everybody’s super excited for him.”
The Magic move on to the next game in their three game road trip., facing off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday at Fiserv Arena in Milwaukee.
