Limiting an opponent to 97% and 27% from 3-point range is good, and it most often helps you win a match. Except when we do even worse on offense… That's what happened Saturday night to the Magic, who lost by 14 points in the first round of their series against Cleveland. Inexperienced, the Magic showed haste, unable to create on placed plays, but also to take time on easy points. Three stats prove it: Paolo Banchero's 9 lost balls; the 11 missed free throws; 8 out of 37 at 3-points!
“Cleveland did a very good job of locking down the paint, and getting out on shots” underlines Jamahl Mosley, while Franz Wagner regrets the immobility in attack. “There were a few possessions where we were static. Which leads to difficult shots. But overall, I thought we made the right move. »
Paolo Banchero loses… nine balls!
For Banchero, there was perhaps a little anxiety among some who were discovering the playoffs. Starting with him. “There are a lot of things I could have done better. I lost balloons…I was just super nervous, super excited, and I lost [la balle] on some actions. This is something I need to improve on. I'm responsible for 9 of our 12 turnovers, so I don't intend to do it again. »
A nervousness that we found on the throwing line. “I did well and I was aggressive” continues Banchero. “I went to the circle, and I caused fouls. But I just have to make my free throws…”
This is why Banchero is optimistic for Game 2. “We shoot at 32%. We are at 21% on 3-pointers and 60% on free throws, and the match was played with two minutes remaining. We defended very well, but in attack, we were not good. If our offense matches our defense, everything will be fine. »
