Paolo Banchero looks to continue his point trip on Thursday when Orlando Magic hosts Dallas Mavericks in the opener of a three-game home.
Banchero scored 32 points to go with seven returns and six assists in Magics victory 111-104 over Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. The previous best choice was the fourth player in Franchises history, which scored at least 30 points in four games in a row and only since Dwight Howard 2011.
“(Banchero is) trying to find the right way to lead this team to wins,” said Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley. “Whatever required in these moments.”
Magin (35-38) has won three in a row for the first time since he took six straight wins from November 21. 1. They live a half -game behind Atlanta Hawks for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
Franz Wagner collected 26 points, eight returns and four assists on Tuesday for Orlando.
The second year Pro Anthony Black came from the bench to contribute 20 points and marked the fourth time in five matches that he has reached two figures. Black had 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting in Magic’s victory 118-106 over former Maverick’s superstar Luka Doncic and Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
Caleb Houstan fell four 3-points to finish with 12 points from the bench on Tuesday.
“It’s just a huge boost,” Banchero said about the game’s game. “We knew this would not be a simple game despite their record and what they have done this season. It was just a huge team effort to come here after a big victory at home last night and get this win on a back-to-back.”
While Orlando has compiled victories recently, Dallas (35-38) is on its way in the second direction with losses in 10 of his last 13 matches to find themselves fighting against Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns for the final playground in the Western Conference.
Mavericks dropped a decision of 128-113 to New York Knicks on Tuesday, despite Naji Marshall erupting for a career pile of 38 points. Marshall made 13 out of 15 shots during the first half and finished 17 out of 25 from the floor.
“He was fantastic,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd from Marshall. “We started slowly during the third quarter and that was when it got away from us. But Naji was fantastic. He kept us during the first half. He played at a high level.”
Marshall is 34-for-52 from the field during its last three matches.
“Just remain aggressive and take what the defense gives me,” said Marshall Per Dallas Morning News.
The spouting Mavericks were short-handed on Tuesday, with acquisitions during the season acquired Anthony Davis not available to play after returning from an adductor tribe on the previous night versus Brooklyn networks. PJ Washington also sat out after maintaining a understood left ankle on Monday.
Davis is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s competition. Washington has been excluded.
Mavericks registered a victory 108-85 over Magic on November 3 in Dallas. Mavericks was led by Doncic (32 points, nine returns, seven assists), while Orlando played without Banchero (broken right oblique).
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