The Magic shot a dismal 34.3% from the floor during their two losses in Cleveland to open their first-round series, then got off to an ominous start on Thursday in Game 3, missing their first eight field goal attempts.
However, as Kendra Andrews of ESPN details, the shots eventually started falling for Orlando, which ultimately had one of the best offensive playoff performances in team history. The Magic blew out the Cavaliers by a score of 121-83 for their first home playoff win since 2011.
“Give credit to us being home and backed by the fans,” forward Paolo Banchero said. “Starting your first two playoff games on the road in that environment was tough for everybody … Being home just calms you down.”
As Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes, it was a big night for Banchero, one of several young Magic players who are competing in the playoffs for the first time. Last season’s Rookie of the Year racked up a game-high 31 points and 14 rebounds in just 29 minutes of action as Orlando ran away with Game 3.
“He’s a winner,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said of Banchero. “That’s who he is. We challenged them today to go after some more rebounds, and he did it. That’s the thing about him: He’s going to find whatever way necessary to help his team win.”
Here’s more on the Magic:
- After starting Jonathan Isaac alongside Banchero and Franz Wagner in the frontcourt in the first two games of the series, Mosley inserted center Wendell Carter in Isaac’s place for Game 3. “You’ve gotta try something new,” Mosley replied before the game when asked about the adjustment (Twitter link via Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel). “You drop two. You’ve gotta change it up.”
- The starting lineup change was an effective one. While Carter only had two points and five rebounds on the night, Orlando outscored Cleveland by 19 points in his 25 minutes of action. Banchero credited Carter for helping the Magic control the glass — after being out-rebounded 102-81 in the first two games, Orlando grabbed 51 boards to Cleveland’s 32 in Game 3. “We thought we had been playing pretty good defense but we had been giving up way too many rebounds. We really wanted to put an emphasis on neutralizing their bigs, keeping them off the boards and I think Wendell Carter was a huge part of that,” Banchero said, per Andrews.
- Jalen Suggs showed no ill effects from the injury scare he sustained in Game 2. Suggs scored 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting and was deployed as the primary defender on Donovan Mitchell. He was a +25 in his 28 minutes on the court. “What we did tonight was special,” said Suggs, one of two Magic youngsters – along with Wagner – who will be eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason.
- In an entertaining and in-depth profile for ESPN, Tyler R. Tynes looks at the growth Banchero has shown since being drafted first overall in 2023 and his importance to the organization. “We call him The Franchise because he is The Franchise. We’re just the supporting cast,” Cole Anthony told ESPN. “Man, he had 23 a game for most of the year. And until Wendell got his rebounding up, he was leading our team in every statistical category except steals. That’s what you call a franchise.”
Can’t believe the Spanking Magic put on Cavs. I guess they are growing up.
Not really impressive that “the franchise” had to take 26 shots to put up 31 points
Hey Steve Urkel (or is this Stephan Urkelle?!), there have been many a franchise player who have taken 26 shots to score 31 in a game through the years.
To be honest though, I just replied so that I could throw in your suave alter ego.
ORL plays better at home, because they shoot better in their arena. Not necessarily better than they shoot on the road, but better than the opposition does in their arena. Everything is relative, and their arena is known as one of the toughest arenas for shooters.
Still, it’s hard to rule out that CLE capitulated after they got down. It’s becoming a thing in the 2k era, but one I don’t like, even if there (in fact) was little to no way to win. There are lasting team building benefits in trying. Particularly for a team like CLE, that hasn’t fully figured out to mesh their elite guys in big spots.
I don’t understand why you’d start Issac’s at centre when the Cavs play two bigs with Mobley and Allen. Allen almost had 2 games with 20 rebounds in each. I could understand if Issacs was a shooter and it opened up the court but he’s not. Wendell Carter ofcourse was going to help you win the rebounding battle.
I think what we need to take away from this series regardless of the result is Paolo Banchero is him. This kid is special and for whatever reason he isn’t getting the coverage he deserves. Really hope the Magic not only hold onto him but do something to really build around him.