By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Paolo Banchero stood out among the top performances all around the NBA on Monday night.
He erupted for a career-high 50 points, leading the Orlando Magic to a win, 119-115, against the Indiana Pacers in Kia Center. His 37 points in the first half tied a franchise record set by Tracy McGrady.
“It was just being in the zone,” he mentioned, “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 is a good feeling when you have got a day like that.”
😱 Paolo Banchero had almost a 50-point TRIPLE-DOUBLE!!! pic.twitter.com/wYqM4ITd7I
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 29, 2024
Coming off the bench, German Moritz Wagner chipped in 14 points and four rebounds, adding to a 3-1 start for the Magic in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season. Due to an illness, his brother Franz was held to seven points and ten minutes.
In Frost Bank Center, the Houston Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 106-101. Turkish Alperen Sengun posted a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double for a win on the road. For the losing side, French prodigy Victor Wembanyama logged 14 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. Polish Jeremy Sochan scored a team-high 22 points.
😂When it comes to chasedown Wemby is just unfair!
pic.twitter.com/p3kv8MDPkB— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 29, 2024
Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic registered 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one block, helping the Chicago Bulls outlast the Memphis Grizzlies, 126-123, in FedExForum. For the hosts, Spanish Santi Aldama ended up with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis tallied a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double plus seven assists as the Sacramento Kings cruised past the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-98, in Golden 1 Center.
Monday games
Orlando Magic – Indiana Pacers 119-115
Atlanta Hawks – Washington Wizards 119-121
Boston Celtics – Milwaukee Bucks 119-108
Miami Heat – Detroit Pistons 106-98
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 104-110
Toronto Raptors – Denver Nuggets 125-127 OT (114-114)
Memphis Grizzlies – Chicago Bulls 123-126
San Antonio Spurs – Houston Rockets 101-106
Dallas Mavericks – Utah Jazz 110-102
Phoenix Suns – Los Angeles Lakers 109-105
Sacramento Kings – Portland Trail Blazers 111-98
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0
2. Boston Celtics 4-0
3. Orlando Magic 3-1
4. Miami Heat 2-1
5. Atlanta Hawks 2-2
6. Chicago Bulls 2-2
7. New York Knicks 1-2
8. Brooklyn Nets 1-2
9. Charlotte Hornets 1-2
10. Philadelphia 76ers 1-2
11. Washington Wizards 1-2
12. Milwaukee Bucks 1-3
13. Indiana Pacers 1-3
14. Toronto Raptors 1-3
15. Detroit Pistons 0-4
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0
2. Los Angeles Lakers 3-1
3. Phoenix Suns 3-1
4. Golden State Warriors 2-1
5. Los Angeles Clippers 2-1
6. Dallas Mavericks 2-1
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 2-1
8. New Orleans Pelicans 2-1
9. Houston Rockets 2-2
10. Memphis Grizzlies 2-2
11. Sacramento Kings 1-2
12. San Antonio Spurs 1-2
13. Denver Nuggets 1-2
14. Portland Trail Blazers 1-3
15. Utah Jazz 0-3
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins