Paolo Banchero Blazes Through Miami Heat in Season Opener

All eyes were on Paolo Banchero, and boy did he deliver. The NBA All-Star put on a clinic, cutting through Miami’s defense like a hot knife through butter. Banchero finished with 30 points in just 28 minutes of play, shooting 50% from the field. He also showcased his shooting range, hitting 4 of his 8 three-point attempts. Banchero’s well-rounded performance included 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal, making it a night to remember.

Franz Wagner also got in on the action, proving he’s more than capable of being an All-Star candidate this season. Wagner poured in 23 points and shot an efficient 2 of 4 from beyond the arc. With 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block, Wagner was everywhere for the Magic, adding to the Heat’s misery.

Despite a competitive first half that saw the Heat clinging to a one-point lead at the break, things unraveled fast in the third quarter. Orlando came out guns blazing, outscoring Miami 39-18 in a quarter that swung the game entirely in the Magic’s favor. A key factor? The extra rest.

“We knew they had the ceremony at halftime, so we had more time to rest, stretch out, do whatever we needed to do,” said Banchero. “The whole time we kept our energy high, reminding ourselves we had to start fast in the third quarter, and that’s exactly what we did.”

The Heat, who had celebrated “Pat Riley Court” with a touching ceremony, were thoroughly outplayed from that point on. Orlando pushed their lead as high as 32 in the second half, turning what was a close game into a complete blowout.

“There’s a reason why great players are great,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said about Banchero. “The reason why he’s great is because he’s humble, he works, he cares about his teammates, and he’s not changing who he is regardless of what comes his way.”

Mosley’s words perfectly encapsulate Banchero’s leadership and work ethic. His performance against Miami put him among elite company. Banchero became just the sixth player in Magic history to score 30 or more points in a season opener, joining the ranks of Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O’Neal, Nick Anderson, and Anfernee Hardaway. Not bad company for a rising star.

If last season was any indication, the Magic were hesitant to embrace the 3-point shot. But things seem different this year. Orlando attempted 27 threes in the first half alone, surpassing their previous high of 23 from last season. In total, they finished the game 18 of 49 from beyond the arc—clearly emphasizing long-range shooting as a critical component of their offense this year.

Gary Harris also chipped in with 18 points, all from three-pointers. His sharpshooting gave Orlando the edge they needed to stretch the floor and keep Miami off balance.

The third quarter was the game-changer. Orlando’s 21-point advantage in the quarter was the largest margin they had enjoyed on the road since 2010, when they outscored the Boston Celtics by 25 in a dominant win. It was a blowout in every sense of the word, and Miami simply couldn’t recover.

On the Heat’s side, it was a disappointing night. Jimmy Butler had one of the worst games of his career, scoring just three points on 1-of-8 shooting. Tyler Herro added 14, while Terry Rozier and Nikola Jovic contributed 19 and 15, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to offset Orlando’s onslaught.