NBA: Paolo Banchero, Magic end Cavaliers’ winning streak at 16
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Paolo Banchero had 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as the visiting Orlando Magic snapped Cleveland’s franchise-record 16-game winning streak, beating the NBA-best Cavaliers 108-103 on Sunday.
Franz Wagner scored 22 points and Anthony Black added 17 off the bench for Orlando (32-37), which handed Cleveland just its fifth home loss of the season. Wendell Carter Jr. had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 15 points.
Orlando scored six straight points to end the game after Max Strus hit a 3-pointer with 1:02 remaining to put the Cavaliers ahead 103-102.
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In the #Magic's 108-103 victory over the Cavaliers today, Paolo Banchero hit two big shots down the stretch.@JakeChapmanOM detailed both plays for the Calls of the Game. #MakeItMagic pic.twitter.com/aohoSlc0vU
— Orlando Magic Audio Network (@OM_AudioNetwork) March 16, 2025
After the Magic regained the lead on Banchero’s jump shot, Caldwell-Pope and Wagner made four consecutive free throws to seal the victory.
Donovan Mitchell returned following a two-game absence and scored 23 points for Cleveland (56-11), which lost for the first time since Feb. 4. Jarrett Allen had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Darius Garland added 19 points, Ty Jerome had 12, and Strus chipped in 10.
The Cavaliers played without forward Evan Mobley, who sat out with a right foot contusion. Cleveland shot 41.7 percent from the field, including 10 of 40 (25 percent) from 3-point range.
Cleveland led 38-25 at the end of the first period after shooting 61.5 percent from the field.
Banchero hit two 3-pointers during a 13-2 run to help Orlando tie the game at 43-43 with 4:07 left in the second quarter.
READ: NBA: Magic build 30-point halftime lead in rout of Pelicans
Cleveland took a 60-47 lead into the half after Hunter capped an 11-0 run by draining a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Orlando remained within striking distance and used a 10-0 run to take its first lead since early in the first quarter at 80-78 with 1:10 left in the third period.
The Magic trailed 83-82 at the end of the third quarter, but Black hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Orlando ahead 92-91 with 6:46 left in regulation.
Magic guard Cole Anthony did not return after exiting in the first quarter with a left big toe strain.
