Paolo Banchero has been on a tear for the reason that begin of 2024. The Orlando Magic ahead is averaging 34.3 factors on 44.2%, together with 50.0% from deep. He additionally provides 9.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and a pair of.0 steals to his stats.
With the All-Star Recreation quick approaching, many are satisfied that he might make his first choice to the stated occasion. Just a few are even evaluating him to famous person Jayson Tatum. The All-NBA ahead of the Boston Celtics is predicted to make his fifth straight look within the annual showcase occasion of the league.
Paolo Banchero’s spectacular efficiency was on Monday in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks. Orlando’s franchise cornerstone had 35 factors, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, three steals and one block.
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Followers reacted on Twitter/X concerning his wonderful January begin:
“My MVP. Higher than Tatum.”
Tatum has performed three video games in January and is averaging 32.7 factors, 11.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.0 steals per recreation. Boston’s artful do-it-all star is hitting 53.6% of his pictures, together with 57.7% from deep. In Sunday’s 118-101 victory over the Indiana Pacers, “JT” had 38 factors, making 14-23 field-goal makes an attempt, together with 8-13 from rainbow distance.
One might simply make an argument, although, that Paolo Banchero is on the verge of hitting the plateau that Jayson Tatum is on proper now. Whereas the previous has been wonderful this month, the latter has had a significantly better season.
The Boston Celtics have a 28-8 report, one of the best within the NBA, whereas the Orlando Magic maintain a 21-15 win-loss slate. For the season, Tatum has recorded 27.5 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.5 APG and 1.0 SPG. Banchero has averaged 23.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.9 APG and 1.1 SPG.
The comparisons between the 2 are simple to grasp. Each are explosive gamers who’ve primarily performed the facility ahead position this season for his or her respective groups. The 2 additionally performed one season with Duke earlier than getting into the NBA. Tatum was the No. 3 choose in 2017 whereas Banchero was the highest identify in 2022.
Jayson Tatum’s Celtics gained the season sequence in opposition to Paolo Banchero’s Magic
Final season, Paolo Banchero’s Orlando Magic decisively gained the head-to-head encounters in opposition to the Boston Celtics 3-1. This season, Jayson Tatum led his staff to a 2-1 edge within the season sequence.
Orlando gained the primary assembly 113-96 on Nov. 24 earlier than Boston’s 128-111 victory on Dec. 15. Two nights later, the Celtics repeated within the rematch 114-97. The Cs’ first win in opposition to the Magic this season was extra spectacular than the second. They didn’t have Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet and nonetheless had a snug win.
If each groups maintain on to their respective standings, they might have a possible Japanese Convention semifinal showdown. If and when that occurs, count on Jayson Tatum and Paolo Banchero to go after one another.