Paolo Banchero scores 31 in win over Celtics, Magic’s 6th-consecutive victory

In a game nobody on the Orlando Magic or the Boston Celtics — outside of Paolo Banchero — found their offensive rhythm, it was gritty plays down the stretch that were the difference maker in the Magic’s 95-92 Sunday win at TD Garden.

The first: Markelle Fultz hustling for an offensive rebound and kicking the ball to out to Franz Wagner for a 3-pointer to give the Magic a 93-89 with 1:41 remaining.

The second and third hustle plays came when Kevon Harris and Fultz grabbed offensive boards with 29.7 seconds and 16 seconds, respectively, so the Magic could maintain possession with a 93-92 lead.

The final one came when Fultz stole Grant Williams’ inbounds pass with 7.6 seconds remaining, forcing Williams to foul Moe Wagner, who sealed the victory for the Magic with a pair of free throws.

The win for the Magic (11-20) was their sixth consecutive.

It’s Orlando’s first six-game win streak since March 14-26, 2019 and just its second six-game win streak since the 2011-12 season.

Banchero carried the Magic offensively, scoring 31 points on a career-high 6-of-7 shooting on 3s. He shot 9 of 21 from the floor and 7 of 9 on free throws.

Admiral Schofield scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting (3 of 5 on 3s) in 17 minutes, leading all bench scorers for both teams.

Franz Wagner had 12 points but on 5-of-15 shooting to go with 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Moe Wagner and Bol Bol had 11 points.

The Magic shot 38.4% from the field (33 of 86) but held the Celtics to 34.8%, including 25.5% on 3s. Boston, who was without Jayson Tatum because of undisclosed personal reasons, entered Sunday shooting 48.5% from the field and 38.6% on 3s, the league’s fifth- and fourth-best marks, respectively.

The Celtics (22-9), who’ve dropped four of their last five, were led by Jaylen Brown’s 24 points (10-of-25 shooting) and 14 rebounds.

The Magic will play the Hawks in Atlanta Monday on the second night of the road back-to-back.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.

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