Down 0-2 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the First Round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Orlando Magic have arguably been the most underwhelming team this postseason.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re averaging league-lows of 84.5 points per game, 34.3 percent shooting from the field, and 23.6 percent shooting from 3 in the playoffs. They\u2019ve turned the ball over 14.5 times per game, tied for the fourth-lowest average this postseason. They can\u2019t get going on drives and they\u2019ve been dominated on the boards, stonewalled by the Cavs\u2019 length.<\/p>\n
Through it all, Magic forward Paolo Banchero<\/a> has been their best player<\/a>.<\/p>\n With his finesse approach, Banchero\u2019s averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game on 48.6 percent shooting from the field. These numbers are pretty much on par with his regular season averages<\/a>. This is a positive sign, especially in his playoff debut.<\/p>\n However, Banchero\u2019s been underwhelming from beyond the arc, shooting 27.3 percent from the field. He\u2019s also averaged a series-high 7.5 turnovers per game. Banchero is certainly a more reliable scorer inside the arc. Yet, the problem with his efficiency lies less with his shooting stroke than his aggressiveness.<\/p>\n This postseason, Banchero is being left open from 3. In these instances, it\u2019s important for Banchero to make the Cavs pay, creating creases in the defense for his teammates as his man steps up to guard him beyond the arc.<\/p>\n Yet, playing the numbers, it\u2019s wiser for Banchero to attack the defense more consistently when given that air space. This postseason, Banchero is converting 54.5 percent of his field goal attempts taken from 8-16 feet away from the basket. He\u2019s made 50.0 percent of his field goal attempts in the 16-24 foot range.<\/p>\n To that point, Banchero often draws Evan Mobley<\/a> as a defender.<\/p>\n When attacking Mobley off-the-dribble, he often fades away instead of making a concerted effort to get into his body. As he outweighs Mobley by 35 pounds, it seems prudent for Banchero play with more physicality when matched up with the Cavs big man. This could also help him get to the line more, as he\u2019s averaging 5.0 free-throw attempts per game in the First Round after taking 7.0 free-throw attempts per game in the regular season.<\/p>\n This holds true for when he\u2019s matched up against Max Strus<\/a> as well. Though Strus is more stout than Mobley, he\u2019s also 6-foot-5. With that said, Banchero not only outweighs Strus by 35 pounds but stands five inches taller than him.<\/p>\nMagic Need More Aggressive Paolo Banchero<\/h2>\n
Remembering His Size<\/h3>\n