The Orlando Magic were able to escape the Sacramento Kings and snap their losing streak in the process, and Paolo Banchero talked about how it happened.
ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic successfully snapped their six-game losing streak against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, but it was a victory that did not come easily.
Orlando was protecting a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter with 02:33 remaining before the Kings mounted an 8-0 run to make it a 116-115 game with 50 seconds left.
On a critical possession with the shot clock running down, Jalen Suggs hit a 26-foot 3-pointer to make it a two-possession game once again that would carry the Magic to victory. After the game, Paolo Banchero provided his thoughts on Suggs’ clutch moment.
“Yeah, big shot for sure,” Banchero said. “You know, being up one, make it a two-possession game. Just drawing two, kicking it out, and then guys, you know, making plays from there. You know, usually if you can get two on the ball, you pass out, you know, you can get an open shot.”
Banchero finished the evening with 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, marking his third-straight game with 30 or more points. For Banchero, his level of play comes down to a singular mindset.
“Just out there being aggressive, really,” Banchero said. “You know, nothing more to it.
On the subsequent possession after Suggs’ late 3-pointer, Kings guard DeMar DeRozan hit a fadeaway jumper to make it a two-point game again, but Desmond Bane was able to seal the deal for the Magic from the 3-point line.
DeRozan finished the evening with 33 points after scoring no more than 13 points in each of the four games preceding the matchup with Orlando. Banchero touched on what it was like taking the challenge of guarding the six-time All-Star.
“Yeah, I mean, he had it going,” Banchero said. “You know, he had 20 in the first half, and that's a guy who scored, you know, a lot of points in this league. So, he was kind of having his way, and I just wanted to take a shot at him and try to make it tough. You know, I didn't want him having a huge night.
“I mean, he still finished with 33,” Banchero added. “But I didn't want him to explode. And, you know, he's a guy that if you let him just keep going, he can close you out and beat you. So I just wanted to accept the challenge and try to make his life a little more difficult.”
The Magic are back in action on Sunday when they face the Toronto Raptors on the road.
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