The Orlando Magic exacted revenge on Sunday in a marquee matchup after suffering an embarrassing 40-point loss to the team they pushed to the limit in last year's playoffs.
Late game execution from star duo Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, including a clutch 16-foot jumper with 45.1 seconds left in the game from Banchero, helped give the Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss since Feb. 4, putting an end to their 16-game win streak.
The struggling Magic showed resilience by withstanding blows from the Cavs down the stretch, who were without All-Star forward Evan Mobley. Orlando made timely defensive stops and shot better than their season average on three-pointers (13-31), where they rank last, to overcome a 13-point half-time deficit.
Banchero led the way with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists and sent a clear message to his 32-37 team, which is trying to stay afloat in the playoff hunt.
"We got to have that mindset," said Banchero in his post-game presser on Mar. 16. "We got to bring that mindset back home. It can't have drop-off. And we showed that we can compete with really good teams."
Paolo Banchero vs CLE:
24 PTS
11 REB
7 AST
Snapped the Cavs 16-game winning streak. pic.twitter.com/uD2jx5H6eG
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 16, 2025
Banchero has been on fire this March, averaging 29.9 points on 49.7% shooting from the field and 40.8% from three. However, to move from the No. 8 seed to No. 7 in the Eastern Conference and host a Play-In game with two chances to secure a playoff spot, the rest of the team will need to step up.
The Magic will be short-handed for the rest of this season, with guard Jalen Suggs and center Moritz Wagner sidelined by season-ending injuries. With 13 games left, big performances from second-year guard Anthony Black, who added 17 points and went 3-3 from three in the upset, and others like veterans Wendall Carter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be crucial.
locked in pic.twitter.com/D3JfanhE7p
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 17, 2025
Orlando will host the streaking Hoston Rockets back at home on Mar. 19, who are on their own six-game win-streak.
This will give the young Magic team a chance to live up to the 22-year-old star's message and win their first consecutive game in a row since Feb. 20.
Related: Paolo Banchero Reveals True Feelings Amid Rumored Beef With $58 Million Magic Vet
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 2:50 PM.