Paolo Banchero’s message to Orlando
“After the 98-74 loss against the New York Knicks on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, Paolo Banchero commented on the game, acknowledging the Knicks’ determination to win. Despite having beaten them three times previously, he highlighted the need for better in-game adjustments and admitted that the Knicks simply outplayed them. New York, seeking redemption after their initial losses to Orlando, managed to limit the Magic to the lowest score recorded by any NBA team this season.”
Tom Thibodeau’s defense-oriented Knicks limited the Magic to a mere 74 points, surpassing the previous season-low mark by three points (77), previously set by the Portland Trail Blazers in a January 11 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Riding a five-game winning streak, the Magic surprisingly trailed the entire game against the Knicks.
This is exactly what the playoffs will be like,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said.
Even though he was questionable due to a left knee contusion, Jalen Brunson spearheaded New York’s offense with an impressive 26 points. Josh Hart also made significant contributions with 19 points, while Precious Achiuwa delivered a double-double performance, tallying 15 points and 14 rebounds.
The Knicks and Magic collectively scored only 172 points, falling significantly below the betting under mark for the game.
Paolo Banchero showcased his leadership for Orlando, contributing 23 points and 9 rebounds. However, despite his efforts, the Magic struggled collectively, shooting only 34.2 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Point and contributions made
Franz Wagner contributed 13 points, while Jonathan Isaac added 11 points for the Magic. However, Orlando’s total of 74 points and 12 assists marked season lows for the team.
The New York Knicks showcased a remarkable display of shooting precision, as they connected on an impressive 8 out of their initial 9 three-point attempts. This marked a notable departure from their customary shooting struggles from beyond the arc.
Typically facing challenges when shooting long-range shots, the Knicks demonstrated a sharp contrast in their performance, demonstrating exceptional accuracy early in the game.
Weighing in on a potential playoff matchup against the Knicks Banchero noted, “It’s going to be interesting to see how that all shakes out. Fourth through eighth is such a tight race, so you don’t know how it is going to shake out these last (19) games. But it’s definitely a possibility of us playing them. Playing in a playoff series here would be awesome.”
The Magic forward emphasized the need for his team to recognize the heightened physicality and intensity that comes with playoff basketball. Stressing the importance of readiness, he acknowledged that the playoffs present a different level of competition that requires them to elevate their game accordingly.
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