Orlando Magic Have To 'Finish Games Better', Says Paolo Banchero

The Orlando Magic blew a fourth-quarter lead in their 120-119 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Mexico City.

ORLANDO - For the second time in as many games, the Orlando Magic held a sizable lead in the second half. And for the second time this week, Orlando was unable to close out the game. 

On Thursday, the Magic led by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter before blowing the lead and losing to the Atlanta Hawks 120-119 in Mexico City at the Mexico City Arena. 

While much is made about the fourth quarter and Orlando's (4-4) inability to close out the game, Paolo Banchero noted that there's more that goes into deciding the game than end-of-game situations.

"We want to finish games better," Banchero said. "Just the way we start games, it's easy to blame the last two or three minutes of the game, but [the] first three quarters, turnovers, free throws, different things like that all play a part. If we can just take away all of that. [We have] got to make free throws, limit turnovers and finish games."

Paolo Banchero guarding Grant WIlliams / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

The Magic also blew a double-digit second-half lead on Monday in a 117-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks (6-2).

Orlando turned the ball over 19 times and shot 25-35 from the free-throw line against the Hawks (5-3). Banchero had 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the loss. Jalen Suggs led the team with 21 points and had two rebounds, an assist, and six steals. 

The reigning rookie of the year also had a chance to make the potential game-winning shot, but he missed with seven seconds left in the game, and Orlando never got another shot off before time expired. 

"We were trying to run the same play for Franz [that] he scored a possession before," Banchero said. "He drew two defenders, kicked it out to me, and I missed the shot."

Orlando will look to snap its two-game skid on Saturday when they face the Milwaukee Bucks (5-3) at 6 p.m. ET at the Amway Center.