Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Duke Basketball One-And-Done Gets Emotional After Draining Game-Winner
On Saturday night, former Duke basketball forward Paolo Banchero, who had yet to miss a game this season, displayed his clutch one-on-one skills by drilling a game-winning and-one fadeaway to propel the Orlando Magic to a 112-109 road win over the Detroit Pistons.
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Check out the replay of the notably difficult shot that gave Orlando its third straight victory and improved the upstart squad's record to 32-25 overall:
Banchero, a frontcourt starter alongside fellow Duke basketball one-and-done Wendell Carter Jr., was dealing with an illness that led to his absence in Sunday night's 109-92 loss at the Atlanta Hawks.
So, the 21-year-old All-Star's stats against Pistons weren't his best: 15 points on 5-for-17 shooting from the field, five boards, three dimes, and two blocks.
He battled through the illness and poor shooting, though. And that effort paired with the perfect ending culminated in Paolo Banchero having to step away from the camera for a moment and wipe away tears as he explained his emotions to Bally Sports:
"It was important," Banchero, averaging 22.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists as the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, said about the outcome. "It was a hard game...I've been sick...It's just been tough, man. I've been feeling terrible. I played terrible. I just give credit to my teammates. They lifted me up the whole game.
"I don't know why I'm crying right now. It was a hard game, and I'm proud of my team, for sure."
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