Magic Star Paolo Banchero Off to Dominant Game 7 Start

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is carrying his team in Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jeremy Brener | May 5, 2024

May 5, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

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ORLANDO — Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is rising to the occasion in Game 7 of the team's series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Banchero, a 21-year old second-year pro, scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the first half alone against the Cavaliers, as he helped build a double-digit lead going into halftime.

The Magic led by as much as 18 points, but a run from the Cavs late in the second quarter shrunk that lead to as few as eight.

If the Magic are going to close things out in Game 7, Banchero will have to continue to be himself as he leads his team to the second round.

The Magic lead 53-43 at halftime of Game 7.

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GAME 6 RECAP: Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic aren't shying away from the moment in Game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. CLICK HERE

MAGIC GAME 7 HISTORY: The Orlando Magic forced the fourth Game 7 in franchise history with their Game 6 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. CLICK HERE

GAME 7 BETTING ODDS: The stakes don't get higher than a Game 7, but are the Orlando Magic favored to win their first road game of the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals? CLICK HERE

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Published May 5, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.