ORLANDO - Not many teams can say that their two best offensive players are also very good defenders. One of the few that can, however, are the Orlando Magic, who have been just as good defensively in their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers as they were throughout the regular season.
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have both been superb defensively in this series. They’ve each had spectacular offensive games as well – Banchero in Games 3 (31 points, five assists, zero turnovers) and 5 (39 points, four assists), particularly, and Wagner in Game 4 (34 points, four assists, zero turnovers).
What they are doing defensively deserves more praise, though. Here’s some data to back that up:
There are 49 players so far in these playoffs who have contested at least 50 shots. Opponents have shot under 40 percent against just 15 of them. Among those 15 are Banchero and Wagner.
The Cavs are shooting just 28 percent on 50 attempts with Wagner as the nearest contesting defender, per Second Spectrum. The only other player with a defensive field goal percentage under 30 percent is Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr., who appeared in just four of the Heat’s five games played against the Celtics.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is shooting just 36.1 percent with Banchero contesting. That ranks ninth among those 49 qualified players.
Both being 6-foot-10 is a factor. When they have contested perimeter shots, which is something the Magic as a whole have done exceptionally well throughout this series, the Cavs have struggled mightily. With Wagner contesting, the Cavs are 4-of-25 (16 percent) from 3-point range. Against Banchero, they are 7-of-28 (25 percent).
None of this should come as a surprise, though. Both were very good defensively during the regular season, and, in many ways, got better on that end as the season went along.
“Franz throughout the year has just continued to improve defensively – willing to take on all challenges,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “When we go into that switch package, his ability to sit down and guard, his length, his timing, his basketball IQ – all of those things play a big factor in him becoming and continuing to grow into a great defender.”
“He’s a winner,” Mosley said of Banchero. “That’s who he is…He’s going to find whatever way necessary to help his team win – whether that’s scoring, rebounding, defending. Whatever that looks like, that’s the young man he is.”
The Magic, so far, have the second-best defensive rating (98.9) in these playoffs. Only the Thunder have a better mark.
The Cavs are shooting 43 percent overall and 28.7 percent from beyond the arc. They’re also averaging 14.4 turnovers, largely because of Orlando’s defensive pressure and intensity.
Those who were unfamiliar with how special of a duo Banchero and Wagner are prior to these playoffs are now certainly more aware.
“That’s why our teammates look to us to lead the guys – as we are supposed to step up in the biggest games, in the biggest moments,” Banchero said. “I don’t think either one of us felt like it was an out-of-body experience or anything. I think that’s just what we are here to do.”