Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero compared elements of Monday’s 50-point outburst against the visiting Indiana Pacers to a practice session.
“It was just being in the zone,” Banchero said. “Felt like I was in an open gym, back at home, just working on my game. Every shot felt like it was going in and it’s a good feeling when you’ve got a day like that. Not every game is going to be like that, but I’m glad (Monday) was.”
Orlando will be content if Banchero experiences at least a fraction of that comfort Wednesday at the Chicago Bulls in the opener of a five-game road trip.
His career night, which saw him match a club record for points in a half with 37, certainly inspired teammates during a 119-115 win.
“When you get to see legendary things in person,” Jalen Suggs said, “it is actually so great.”
Of course, other Magic earned superlatives as Banchero (13 rebounds, nine assists) flirted with a triple-double.
With forward Franz Wagner limited to 11 minutes with an undisclosed illness, Suggs added impact from the backcourt on both sides of the floor. His 25 points included six makes from beyond the arc, where Suggs started 5-for-5.
“Jalen was great,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. “He guarded, knocked down shots early and wasn’t afraid of the moment. That’s who this group is.”
Orlando carries a five-game series winning streak against the Bulls and has won seven of the past 10 meetings overall.
Chicago is coming off Monday’s 126-123 come-from-behind victory against the host Memphis Grizzlies.
The Bulls trailed by as many as 20 points but used a 33-23 advantage in the fourth quarter to edge the Grizzlies and win on the road for the second time in three tries to begin the season.
Chicago exhaled with the victory after Memphis’ Desmond Bane missed from long range in the closing seconds. While Bane was 6-for-10 from deep, his teammates combined to shoot 8-for-33.
That compared to the Bulls’ 25-for-53 showing from 3-point land, which saw a trio of players connect for at least four treys. The Bulls have swished 20 or more 3s twice this season, with Monday’s 25 makes matching a franchise record.
“We have an unselfish group and so many weapons,” Chicago’s Josh Giddey said. “We’re generating really good looks. We’re instilling confidence in everyone to take them.”
Zach LaVine, who was 5-for-12 from long range, scored 11 of his team-high 30 points in the fourth quarter. Coby White also had five 3s, while Nikola Vucevic added four.
Lonzo Ball, who is working his way back from a knee injury, has seen plenty of resilience from the Bulls in the early going, a trend they’ll aim to continue Wednesday.
“Just got to stay the course,” Ball said. “It’s a brand-new team, a lot of young guys. Sometimes the shots are not going to fall, sometimes people are going to hit tough ones. Just got to stick with it through four quarters.”