Paolo Banchero nets 50, including Magic-record 37 in 1st half
Paolo Banchero had the best night of his career Monday.
Banchero tied the Orlando Magic record for points in a half, scoring 37 in the first two quarters against the Indiana Pacers. He finished with a career-high 50 points -- tying the fifth-highest scoring effort in Magic history. Orlando won 119-115.
"Man, I'm tired; I'm tired as hell," Banchero said after the first 50-point effort in the NBA this season. "But it was a hell of a game."
Banchero, the league's Rookie of the Year two seasons ago and an All-Star last year, was 13-of-17 from the field in the half and finished 16-of-26 from the floor. He also had 13 rebounds and nine assists.
"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 today was."
At 21 years and 351 days old, Banchero became the youngest player in Magic history to record a 50-point game, and the second-youngest player with 50 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in an NBA game, trailing only LeBron James (20 years, 80 days) in 2005 against the Toronto Raptors.