Even if the pelicans no longer play anything, they can be dangerous with a Zion Williamson which seemed in the best form of his life. The clippers had made it bitter experience a few days ago …
The Magic for its part avoided the problem by signing a perfect first half, behind the 44 points of sound duo Paolo Banchero – Franz Wagner at 17/20 shooting. To take 30 points ahead (68-38) at halftime!
“We were extremely aggressive. Everyone was very concentrated defensively because we know that with Zion (Williamson), Trey Murphy or CJ McCollum, they have guys who can take fire if they are left too much freedom. So we were really concentrated defensively and it gave us opportunities to run and then the jupshots fell into it. So it was above all an extremely aggressive evening ” explains the strong winger.
Paolo Banchero took advantage of the various “matchups” to impose his power on the Pelicans, and as he was skilfully skillful, he quickly broke the “zone” attempted by New Orleans to slow down the Magic.
In the second half, he also allowed himself to counter Zion Williamson to validate his very beautiful evening: 34 points at 14/22 in shooting including 4/8 from afar, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 interceptions. And above all to win an important victory for the Magic (31 victories – 36 defeats) to try to finish, at least, in 7th place in the East.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_drr8btuvqi
| Paolo Banchero | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | Orl | 72 | 34 | 42.7 | 29.8 | 73.8 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 |
| 2023-24 | Orl | 80 | 35 | 45.5 | 33.9 | 72.5 | 1.0 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 22.6 |
| 2024-25 | Orl | 32 | 34 | 44.0 | 31.7 | 70.3 | 1.1 | 5.8 | 6.9 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 24.3 |
| Total | 184 | 34 | 44.2 | 32.0 | 72.5 | 1.1 | 5.8 | 6.9 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 21.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.
