Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Pro Has Absurd First Quarter Against Fellow Blue Devil

Matchups between Duke basketball's Paolo Banchero and Jayson Tatum are becoming must-see TV.
Matt Giles|
Photo credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

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Duke Blue Devils

Entering Sunday's bout at the Boston Celtics, the last time Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero fell short of 20 points in a game, he responded with a career-high 42 points the next outing. This time, coming off Friday night's loss in Boston, in which the Duke basketball product tallied only 14 points, Banchero wasted no time going off.

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By the end of the first quarter, Banchero had 19, powering the Magic to a 31-28 lead against the Celtics (13-0 at home this season) and their former Duke basketball one-and-done, reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Month Jayson Tatum, who had seven first-quarter points.

Banchero added four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and only one turnover across the first 12 minutes of action, shooting 7-for-9 from the field, 3-for-4 beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 at the foul line.

Unfortunately for the Magic, Banchero's rest on the bench at the start of the second quarter resulted in a 10-2 run by Boston.

Within minutes of Banchero's return to the court, he had poured in five more points to push his total to 24 midway through the second quarter. Another bucket before the break gave him 26 at the half. Even so, Orlando wasn't able to match the firepower of the East-leading Celtics (19-5) the rest of the way before halftime.

At the time of this article's publishing, Paolo Banchero and the Magic (16-8) were in the locker room facing a 61-50 deficit. Tatum had 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists entering the break.

The Magic's other NBA Blue Devil, 2017-18 one-and-done center Wendell Carter Jr., has been out of commission with a hand injury since early November.

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Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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