Basketball: Magic rally from huge deficit to stun Sixers
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Orlando's Paolo Banchero shooting over James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers during Magic's 119-109 win against the hosts.
PHOTO: AFP
PHILADELPHIA – A half-time team talk changed everything for the Orlando Magic, as they overturned a 21-point deficit to upset the Philadelphia 76ers 119-109 in the National Basketball Association on Monday.
Rookie Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft, led the second-half fightback in Philadelphia by scoring 29 points in total from 11-of-22 shooting with nine rebounds and three assists.
“We are a very good team,” the forward said on ESPN.
“We just have to learn how to put this effort out every night. We have to be able to take this game and take it to the next game and the game after that, no matter who the opponent is.”
Banchero was backed with scoring support from German brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, who combined for 41 points as Orlando silenced Philadelphia’s home crowd with a second-half blitz.
Philadelphia, who dropped to third in the Eastern Conference standings on 32-17 after the loss, led by 21 points midway through the second quarter and appeared poised for a comfortable victory.
But Orlando erupted after the break with a 42-point third quarter to edge into the lead and then closed with a 19-8 run in the fourth to seal the victory.
Moritz Wagner finished with 22 points off the bench while younger brother Franz added 19.
Markelle Fultz had a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists while Wendell Carter Jr also cracked double figures with 12 points.
“I’m so proud of these young men,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said of his team afterwards.
“The way that first half started – we were hanging our heads a little bit.
“But we pulled ourselves together at half-time and talked about our belief system and what we’re capable of doing, and we showed up.
“It shows growth and that they’re learning from their experiences – they find a way to bounce back, find a way to believe in each other.”
Banchero, meanwhile, gave all the credit to Mosley, saying that the coach had rallied the locker room at half-time.
“He fired us up,” the 2.08m player said.
“Just told us we need to play better, play harder, that we’re a very good team, so we need to act like it.”
Joel Embiid led the Sixers scoring with 30 points, while James Harden and Tobias Harris had 17 points apiece.
Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers had few complaints after his side’s defeat, describing Orlando as worthy winners.
“I thought, from near the end of the first quarter, they played harder, faster, tougher, more physical,” he said.
“I think they deserved to win.”
Despite the victory, the Magic remain near the foot of the Eastern Conference, with 20 wins against 31 defeats. AFP
