The Orlando Magic have won four of their last six games to sit at a record of 35-39. The keys to success that have been identified are performances from stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner that combine for 35 points of more while also making more three-point shots than their opponent are two of them. The third is having at least two other players (not named Banchero and Wagner) that score in double digits.

Considering that Banchero’s mix of size and athleticism is a focal point to the offense attacking the basket, when a defense collapses to counter this is when opportunities are created for points from other members of the team via an assist. One can’t help notice a correlation in a fully recovered Banchero and Kentavious Caldwell Pope in March.

Banchero is attacking the basket, averaging just over 30 points a game in 13 outings in March so far. In the same baker’s dozen of games, Pope has seven double-digit games in that time compared to 16 in the other 61 games this season.

In games where Banchero has six assists or more allowing the Magic are 9-4 with two of those games featuring a differential of one point or less at the end of regulation (one was a double-overtime loss to the Miami Heat on the road the other a one-point loss to the Toronto Raptors).

With all that in mind, Banchero’s four assists helped get Wendell Carter Jr. his second double-digit scoring performance in three games with 12 and Anthony Black get 14. However, Paolo’s committing six of Orlando’s 17 turnovers counteracted that by giving 22 points to the Dallas Mavericks in a 101-92 loss. During the third quarter, Dallas hit five threes – as many as the Magic had all night. The Maverick’s finished with 11 to put them over the top.

Magic fans are hopeful that their squad can clean that up on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings or the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.