LOS ANGELES, United States — Paolo Banchero delivered a stellar performance, scoring 24 points to help the Orlando Magic overcome a 13-point deficit and snap the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 16-game winning streak with a hard-fought 108-103 victory on Sunday.
Cleveland, the dominant team in the Eastern Conference, appeared set to extend their franchise-record unbeaten run after pulling ahead early in the third quarter.
However, after a season filled with comeback victories, the Cavaliers found themselves on the receiving end of a dramatic rally, as Orlando stormed back with a strong offensive surge.
Magic’s Second-Half Surge
Orlando outscored Cleveland 35-23 in the third quarter, with Franz Wagner leading the charge with nine points, while Banchero contributed seven.
Despite the Cavaliers holding onto a slim 83-82 lead heading into the final period, they were unable to pull away. A driving layup from Donovan Mitchell gave Cleveland a 91-84 advantage, but Orlando refused to back down.
Eight more points from Wagner and key contributions from Banchero and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope helped the Magic secure the victory, silencing the 19,432 fans at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Banchero, the former No. 1 overall draft pick, finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Wagner added 22 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, as the Magic improved to 32-37, holding onto the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
“It’s a big win,” Banchero said after the final game of Orlando’s five-game road trip. “We knew this was going to be probably the toughest game of the trip. To come in here … against one of the better teams in the league, also on a win streak — big win.”
Mitchell led Cleveland’s offense with 23 points, while Jarrett Allen added 20 and Darius Garland chipped in with 19.
Lakers Snap Losing Streak, Sixers Upset Mavericks
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers ended a four-game skid with a 107-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns, dealing a setback to Phoenix’s playoff hopes.
Sitting just outside the play-in tournament spots in 11th place in the Western Conference, the Suns desperately needed a win. However, Luka Doncic’s 33 points and a strong performance from Austin Reaves, who tallied 28, propelled the Lakers to a crucial victory. The loss dropped Phoenix to 31-37 in the standings.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers secured a surprising 130-125 road win over the Dallas Mavericks despite missing key players Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr. Quentin Grimes stepped up for the depleted Sixers squad, leading the team with 28 points.
