Beede’s Breakdown: Banchero lifts Magic past Pacers in Suggs’ return

1 week ago 2

Entering Wednesday’s game between the Magic and Pacers, coach Jamahl Mosley wanted his team to rebound the ball better and limit Indiana’s fast-break chances — two statistical categories that helped the Raptors take down Orlando two days prior.

Although the Magic only allowed 15 fast-break points (half as many as they gave up at Toronto) and outrebounded Indiana 50-39, the sides went back and forth in a contest that was tied 12 times and featured 10 lead changes.

With the game tied at 110 late, Paolo Banchero (29 points) spun towards the basket and scored the go-ahead layup with 7.5 seconds left when Orlando outlasted Indiana 112-110 inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Lacking defensive intensity at times throughout the game, the Magic made up for it on the other end when they outscored the Pacers 70-38 in the paint when Jalen Suggs made his return to the court on New Year’s Even.

The loss was the 10th straight for Indiana (6-28), who was led by Pascal Siakam’s 26 points in the 2-point home loss. Aaron Nesmith missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer that would have won the game for the Pacers.

The Magic (19-15) wrap up their three-game road trip Friday at Chicago.

Suggs’ return

After missing the last seven games because of a left hip bruise, Suggs returned to Orlando’s starting lineup alongside Banchero, Anthony Black, Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. at Indiana.

It was immediately clear the difference Suggs makes for Orlando when he’s on the floor because of his ability to help push the pace on offense and offer quality defense on the other end.

Suggs played shorter 4-5 minutes stints on a minutes restriction but made his presence felt on both sides of the ball.

Although his timing was off at times in his first game back from injury, Suggs still ended with 11 points, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 turnovers in 25 minutes. Suggs picked up his fourth foul with 29 seconds left in the game.

Rest of starters

Fresh off his fourth career triple-double at Toronto, Banchero looked more and more like himself when he attacked the basket, helped clean up the glass and denied multiple Pacers from scoring.

The Magic forward posted 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in the first half, and didn’t slow down after the break. He finished with 10 boards and 4 assists when he notched his ninth double-double of the season.

Similarly, Bane penetrated the paint often after he hit first triple of the afternoon. An Indiana native playing in front of family and friends, the Magic guard did a little bit of everything when he racked up 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in 33 minutes.

Black had scored 20 points in six of the last seven games but only ended with 15 on Wednesday when he missed all three of his long-range attempts and turned ball over four times.

Second unit

After Tristan da Silva picked up his third foul at the 4:12 mark of the first quarter, Mosley turned to Jamal Cain and the two-way forward took advantage of the opportunity.

Cain hit his first three shots, which included a corner 3 late in the second quarter. He notched a season-high 9 points in his first five minutes of action before ending with 11 in 12.

Reserve center Goga Bitadze also came up big for the Magic, especially near the end of the third quarter when he scored 8 of his 14 points in the frame. Facing his former franchise, Bitadze came up one rebound short of a double-double.

Orlando was without forwards Jonathan Isaac (sore left knee) and Jett Howard (illness) against the Pacers.

Difference from distance

Indiana entered shooting the day a league-low 33% from beyond the arc but started out strong when it shot 44.4% (8 for 18) in the first half.

The Pacers slowed down from 3-point range in the second half when they shot 23.5% (4 for 17) in the final two quarters.

But the Magic were far more inaccurate in comparison when the team as a whole only 3 of their attempts (14%). Only Bane, Suggs and Cane made a 3-pointer for Orlando.