Banchero reveals the secrets behind his team's composure, clutch plays, and crucial defensive stands in a historic playoff triumph.
On the team's composure after Detroit tied the game:
"They got back in the game and started making some plays. I thought we just did a good job of staying poised in the timeout when they tied it up, not getting rattled. We just realized that it's 0-0 now and we got to go win the last four minutes. We were very composed and got the job done."
On his late three-pointer and the 'bounce':
"I shot it and it didn't feel bad. It bounced off the back rim, but when I saw how it bounced—it went directly up—the optimist in me was like, 'That's going in.' And it dropped. I said after the Philly loss that basketball gods don't reward hesitation. That one I didn't hesitate and they blessed me with that make. It was a funny shot, but a big shot."
On Franz Wagner’s performance late in games:
"Franz just gets going later in the games; that's kind of how he is. We all trust him to be aggressive, whether it's driving to the rim or shooting the ball. You got to give him credit for staying with it and staying aggressive. Those two shots he hit were huge. He's that guy for a reason."
On Wendell Carter Jr.’s physical presence and 17 rebounds:
"He's just been a monster this series on both sides of the ball, especially on the offensive and defensive glass. When he's playing like that, we're a really good team. He's a guy that I feel like you can count on in playoff moments. He’s really dependable in those situations, and we’re going to need him to keep it up."
On trusting his teammates during high-pressure moments:
"They made a run to get back in the game—they're a great team and you can't be too flustered when they do that. When we got in the huddle once they tied it up, nobody was panicking. Everybody just understood the moment and what had to be done to finish the game off. I think guys have enough experience to not panic and to stay poised."
On playmaking when his shots weren't falling early:
"I can feel how they load up when I have the ball, so I was just trying to make the right play and the right read. I missed some shots that I usually make—missed a couple dunks—but in the playoffs, you can't worry about that. You have to stay aggressive not only scoring, but playmaking as well. I don't let it mess with my confidence."
On Desmond Bane’s impact and mentality:
"He was a star tonight; just big shot after big shot. Everybody in the locker room knows how he was feeling after the first two games—he wanted to play better—but he still kept that same swag. He wasn't in his head; he just came in and cut it loose from the jump. He's a hell of a player and shooter, and we're thankful to have him here."
On the opportunity moving forward up 2-1:
"You got to wash this one off after today and just refocus for Monday. It's an opportunity to win another game, so we got to come in ready and super focused. We're excited to play in front of the home crowd again. We’ll refocus, recover, and do what we got to do to be ready."
On how previous playoff experience has helped the team:
"I think it's not new to us anymore—at least the first round isn't new to us. We just want to win so bad. Once we got our spot in the playoffs, we kept saying it’s a new season and new energy. Tonight is just one step closer to the goal. Everybody understands the job that needs to be done."
On the energy of the Orlando fans and the 'Blackout':
"It gives us a lot of confidence. We've always played well here in the playoffs and that crowd gives us an extra boost. I can't say enough about the fans tonight. Loved everybody wearing the shirts; the blackout was dope. I'm glad we were able to get the win, and I'm expecting the fans to bring that same energy Monday."
On the competitive DNA of the roster:
"We got a lot of competitors on this team. We have guys that have won at high levels, whether it was in high school, college, overseas, or FIBA. We have guys that are winners and that's in our DNA. We all believe in each other and hold each other to a standard. We understand we have an opportunity to turn this thing around and win a series."
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