Even with their backs up against the wall, Orlando Magic star forward Paolo Banchero remained calm; knowing he had a chance to lift his team to victory.
On Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets, it was up to Paolo Banchero to save the Orlando Magic from losing a game in which they led by 14 points with just under eight minutes to play in regulation.
Before it came down to Banchero’s heroic game-winning 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer, he recalled what it was like to watch his team lose their comfortable lead in the first place.
“I think they just kind of junked the game up,” Banchero said. “[They] sent traps, and just kind of created chaos. They had guys who hit big shots throughout the game. The rookie, [Egor] Demin, hit some huge threes and [Michael] Porter had it going as well.”
Brooklyn was hardly making it easy on Banchero, as the Nets sent relentless traps and double teams at him that dictated his pace of play.
“Yeah, I think I was letting the double teams and the traps speed me up throughout the game. And I just kind of told myself, I know the trap's coming. So, when it comes, just slow down.”
“Survey the floor, because they're sending two at me. So, there's somebody that's opening.”
Orlando’s precarious situation turned worse when Demin pulled up from the elbow and banked in a three in the waning seconds; sending Barclays Center and the Nets bench into a frenzy. Amidst all the chaos, Banchero was not rattled.
“Yeah, I think when you look up on the clock and you see it's three-some seconds left; you know that there's still a chance. And even though it is a tough instance where he makes that shot and the crowd's going crazy, it's easy to give in to that.”
“But you just got to come to the bench, and you got to have that same belief that you can win the game. And I think just calm yourself down, breathe, and go out there and try to go win the game.”
With just two seconds remaining, Banchero delivered the knockout punch via a 30-footer from the top of the key that banked in as well; leaving the crowd stunned and Demin with his hands on his head.
“[I] just knew I had two seconds, enough to take a dribble or two and get to my spot. And yeah, I just rose up and got a clean look and felt good coming out of my hands. And I was excited to see it go in.”
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