Paolo Banchero, a forward for the Orlando Magic, appears to be a lock to win the award for Rookie of the Year. The top pick in the draft in June of last year seems determined to put an end to his outstanding season.
In the Magic’s 116-109 victory over the depleted Washington Wizards on Friday night, Banchero scored 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, provided six assists, and made three blocks. On Sunday, when the Magic play host to the hapless Detroit Pistons, he will get another exciting matchup.
With 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and exactly 20 points per game, Banchero is averaging. In March, Banchero shot 37.0 percent, up from 29.2 percent for the season, and had an average of 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
In addition, Banchero has started 70 of the Magic’s 77 games with great consistency. He has scored double digits in every game except four.
Orlando (33-44) will finish the season with a losing record, but it has been playing well recently, winning five of its last seven games. Friday, the Magic trailed going into the fourth quarter, but Washington outscored them 31-13 the rest of the way.
Coach Jamahl Mosley said that some zone looks made the Wizards confused.
The Magic additionally got strong commitments from Fultz and reinforcement watch Cole Anthony, who consolidated for 41 places, 13 bounce back, eight helps and four blocks.
The Pistons (16-61) have won just seven road games this season, whereas Orlando has won its last four home games. Detroit has lost 22 of its last 24 games, including eight of its last 10.
The Pistons have lost by single digits to Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, and Houston in their last three games, but they have shown a little more fight. In their last game, Detroit was somewhere near only two focuses with three minutes remaining however the Rockets hung tight, 121-115.
Marvin Bagley III scored 21 points to lead Detroit’s seven players who scored in double figures.
The Pistons lost their previous game on a putback in the final seconds.
To reach 20 victories, they would need to win four of their last five games. In the 1979–80 season, when they went 16-66, they won fewer than 20 games.
Detroit has a 2-1 advantage over Orlando in the series. Each game has been won by the home team.
