NBA: Paolo Banchero shines as Magic stifle Heat
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) brings the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA game at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Paolo Banchero scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, leading the Orlando Magic to a 116-97 win over the host Miami Heat in the NBA season opener for both teams on Wednesday night.
Franz Wagner added 23 points for the Magic, and Wendell Carter Jr. had a game-high 14 rebounds. Orlando also got 18 points off the bench from Gary Harris, who made 6 of 9 3-point attempts.
Article continues after this advertisementOrlando earned the win on the night Miami dedicated its court to team president and former coach Pat Riley.
READ: NBA: Miami Heat will unveil Pat Riley Court at season opener
Terry Rozier led Miami with 19 points, and Nikola Jovic had 15 points. Tyler Herro added 14 points while Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 13.
Article continues after this advertisementHowever, Miami’s two biggest stars — Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo — had off nights.
Butler scored just three points on 1-for-8 shooting. The Heat were minus-30 while he was on the court.
Adebayo had nine points on 1-for-5 shooting. He also had a minus-30 rating.
Magic point guard Jalen Suggs was held to two points in five minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. However, he scored nine points in the third quarter, when Orlando outscored Miami 39-18. Suggs finished with 11 points.
Heat power forward Kevin Love missed the game due to personal reasons.
READ: NBA: Jalen Suggs, Magic agree on 5-year, $150.5M extension
A seemingly major development happened with 6:45 left in the first quarter as Suggs picked up his third foul and was replaced by Anthony Black.
However, the Magic pulled through as the quarter finished 32-32 after 11 lead changes and seven ties. Banchero led Orlando with 11 points. Jovic topped Miami with nine points on 4-for-4 shooting.
In the second quarter, Orlando held Miami to 25 percent shooting, helping the Magic grab a 58-54 halftime lead.
Orlando started the crucial third quarter on an 12-0 run. By the time the quarter ended, Orlando led 97-72.
The Magic cruised in the fourth quarter.
For the game, Orlando made 18 3-pointers and had an 18-9 advantage on the offensive glass.
Miami shot just 39 percent from the floor, including 11-for-34 (32.4 percent) from beyond the arc. –Field Level Media
