Orlando Magic ahead Paolo Banchero is embracing the high-stakes ambiance as his crew works to solidify its standing forward of the NBA’s Play-In Event.
With a 38-40 file, the Magic have formally clinched a berth within the Play-In however stay in a decent race to safe the No. 7 seed and home-court benefit. Orlando presently holds a one-game lead over the Atlanta Hawks for the seventh spot within the Jap Convention and sits 2.5 video games forward of the Miami Warmth, who occupy the tenth seed.
“It’s actually getting near the tip. The place we’re in, each recreation issues to place ourselves in the perfect place attainable for the postseason,” Banchero informed Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “So, some groups which might be on the high or the underside [of the standings] are resting guys. However we’re the alternative. We’re making an attempt to get each recreation, doing no matter we will proper now.”
Accidents have disrupted Orlando’s season, with Paolo Banchero sidelined earlier within the 12 months by a torn indirect. Franz Wagner missed prolonged time with an analogous damage, whereas Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner will miss the rest of the season. Regardless of these setbacks, the Magic have rallied to regain momentum getting into the ultimate stretch.
“I might say the strain is excessive,” Banchero mentioned. “A pair losses, you might be within the 10 [seed]. A pair wins, you might be in seven, perhaps six. So, it’s quite a lot of strain, however actually it’s the enjoyable a part of the season.”
Paolo Banchero embraces Play-In actuality as Magic put together for potential showdown with Hawks
Banchero acknowledged the Play-In Event isn’t the best route into the postseason however expressed readiness for the problem.
“My thoughts is form of transferring in direction of the play-in. Clearly, that’s not the place you wish to be, however that’s our actuality. So, we’ll seemingly find yourself there, however who is aware of? But when we do find yourself there, I’ll be excited, able to play, able to get a win.”
A possible Play-In matchup towards the Hawks looms giant. The 2 groups have break up their first two conferences this season, and they’re going to face off twice extra to shut out the common season, together with the finale on April 13 in Atlanta. The end result of these contests may resolve who hosts the 7-vs-8 recreation.
“The Atlanta Hawks, that could be a crew myself and my teammates would say we’re very acquainted with,” Banchero mentioned. “We play them 4 instances a 12 months, at all times have had shut video games with them since I first bought to the league.”
In 10 matchups over the previous two seasons, the Hawks maintain a 7-3 benefit. Trae Younger has averaged 28.7 factors and 11 assists in 9 of these video games. Banchero has matched that manufacturing with 24.8 factors, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists whereas capturing 41.6% from the sector towards Atlanta.
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Banchero prepares for potential rematch with Cavaliers or showdown with defending champion Celtics
Wanting past the Play-In, Banchero addressed attainable first-round matchups within the playoffs. With the Boston Celtics (57-20) and Cleveland Cavaliers (62-15) locked into the highest two seeds, Orlando will face a kind of groups ought to it advance.
“With the place we’re in and the season beginning to close to its finish, you begin peeping the requirements and taking a look at the place you’re at,” Banchero mentioned. “And with us being the seven-eight [seed] between there, hopefully staying there, it’s both going to be Boston or Cleveland [in the first round of the playoffs].”
The Orlando Magic dropped two of three video games towards the Cleveland Cavaliers this season however snapped Cleveland’s franchise-record 16-game win streak in March behind a close to triple-double from Banchero, who completed with 24 factors, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Final season, the Cavaliers eradicated Orlando in seven video games throughout the first spherical of the playoffs.
The Magic have break up their two matchups with the Celtics this season and can host the ultimate assembly on Wednesday in Orlando. The Magic have gained 5 of their final 9 conferences with Boston. In eight video games towards the defending champions, Banchero has averaged 23.9 factors, 5.8 rebounds, and three.5 assists whereas capturing 44.7% from past the arc.
“Both a rematch with Cleveland, who we noticed final 12 months [in the playoffs], or see us in Boston, the defending champs. Nevertheless it finally ends up, I’ll be excited for the problem, and shortly we’ll discover out,” Banchero mentioned. “I’m simply getting mentally prepared for no matter it’s, no matter occurs — being mentally ready, bodily prepared, only for the collection.”
Orlando’s remaining three video games — together with two towards Atlanta — will finally decide its Play-In seeding and whether or not they can host the essential 7-vs-8 recreation.