Sometimes, the logical decisions can still backfire.
The Orlando Magic entered Tuesday night facing a 3-1 series deficit to the Boston Celtics.
Knotted in a close game early in the third quarter, Magic superstar Paolo Banchero picked up his third foul 40 seconds into the second half.
Then 15 seconds later, he got his fourth foul. The Magic kept him in.
With 9:46 left in the third quarter, Banchero got his fifth foul. Orlando challenged it but was unsuccessful, losing their challenge the rest of the way.
At the time of Banchero's fifth foul, the game was tied, 53-53.
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It may have been unconventional from a basketball wisdom standpoint to leave Banchero in with four fouls.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley did the logical thing, though. There'd be no tomorrow if they didn't win this game.
He couldn't afford to sit Banchero for 8-10 minutes and have the game get away.
Banchero had to stay in. The main issue was that he didn't do enough to avoid fouling during the process.
He's been a star in this series, proving he's worthy of the mantle of one of the league's up-and-coming studs.
But it was poor by Banchero to foul three times so quickly. The Magic needed him, and he played himself right off the floor in dumb fashion.
Orlando didn't do the wrong thing leaving Banchero in, but likely will need to provide a bit more guidance on these situations in the future to help him out defensively.
If Banchero simply doesn't foul, then he could've cooked offensively and made it a lot closer.
Ironically, maybe Orlando should've left him in with five fouls. The game quickly got away from the Magic.
Magic kind of needed Paolo, it seems. They led by 1 before he picked up his 5th, and 10 minutes later they trail by 21.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 30, 2025
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