The Magic took the season off to a good start, and Paolo Banchero’s teammates won at Utah with a score of 115-113. This is their second victory in this four-match road trip, and facing a back-to-back formation, Orlando waited until the 2nd quarter to get their hands on the match.
It was the Wagner brothers, supported by Jonathan Isaac, who took turns to sign a 9-2 and equalize 36-36. Then Paolo Banchero imposes his power to participate in a 13-1 which pushes Jazz back to -9 (63-54) two minutes before the break. In five minutes, the Jazz missed eight shots in a row, and lost four balls! Lagging behind, and with heavy legs, Jazz then runs after the score, and the Collins-Markkanen pair responds to the aggressiveness of Banchero and Cole Anthony.
On a dunk, Markkanen brings the Jazz back to a small point at the end of the 3rd quarter (84-83). Orlando comes back strong with Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony, and we think he did the hard part with a lead of 10 points (104-94). Except that Jordan Clarkson comes out of his box, and at the start of “money time”, the Jazz returned to -5 (110-105). The last two minutes are epic, with Banchero going to the circle, in force, to take off again (112-105).
Markkanen sets the room on fire
But the Magic is stalling! Wendell Carter Jr. takes an offensive foul, Banchero loses a ball, and Markkanen capsizes the room with two 3-pointers in a row! For the first time since the 2nd quarter, Utah is in front (113-112), and there are 20 seconds left to play.
Orlando time-out, while the public is standing, celebrating this 3-pointer from his “franchise player”, well found by Kelly Olynyk. On the throw-in, ball to Banchero. The Rookie Of The Year is 8 meters away, with John Collins facing him. There is no help, so he rushes to the circle, and scores with his left hand in a somewhat academic manner. The match point will be for the Jazz.
The ball to Jordan Clarkson, who combines with Talen Horton-Tucker. Twice, Markkanen is forgotten under the circle, and it is “THT” who takes the 3-point win. His shot hits the back of the circle, and rookie Anthony Black goes to validate the victory on free throws (115-113).
TO REMEMBER
– Kessler, the scarecrow. Facing his teammate in the selection, the Jazz pivot signs his 12th career match with five or more blocks. Over the last 30 years, only five have reached this total after 80 matches, and they are Shawn Bradley (1995), Marcus Camby (1997), Tim Duncan (1998) and Hassan Whiteside (2015).
– End of series for the Magic. The Jazz remained on seven straight victories at home against Orlando. This shows that Banchero and his team created a small feat last night. This is only their third victory in Salt Lake City in 15 years.
– The aggressiveness of Magic. Like the Banchero-Anthony tandem, Orlando never stopped attacking the circle, and like Banchero’s “gamer winner”, that made the difference. The Magic finished the game with 56 points scored in the paint, but also 13 points scored after offensive rebounds. The Banchero-Anthony duo also scored 17 out of 21 on free throws.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
