ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) \u2014 Paolo Banchero had the best night of his career on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Banchero tied the Orlando Magic record for points in a half, scoring 37 in the first two quarters against the Indiana Pacers. He finished with a career-high 50 points \u2014 tying the fifth-highest scoring effort in Magic history. Orlando won 119-115.<\/p>\n
\u201cMan, I\u2019m tired. I\u2019m tired as hell,\u201d Banchero said after the first 50-point effort in the NBA this season. \u201cBut it was a hell of a game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Banchero, the league\u2019s rookie of the year two seasons ago and an All-Star last year, was 13 of 17 from the field in the half and finished 16 of 26 from the floor. He also had 13 rebounds and nine assists.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just being in the zone,\u201d Banchero said. \u201cFelt like I was in an open gym, back at home, just working on my game. Every shot felt like it was going in and it\u2019s a good feeling when you\u2019ve got a day like that. Not every game is going to be like that, but I\u2019m glad today was.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other 50-point games in Magic history: Tracy McGrady had 62 against Washington on March 10, 2004; Shaquille O\u2019Neal had 53 against Minnesota on April 20, 1994; McGrady had 52 against Chicago on Feb. 21, 2003; McGrady had 51 against Denver on Nov. 14, 2003; Nick Anderson had 50 against New Jersey on April 23, 1993; and McGrady had 50 again against Washington on March 8, 2002.<\/p>\n
The 37 points in the half tied the mark set by McGrady, also in the first half, for Orlando against Washington in the game where he finished with 62.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat first half was a magical first half, for sure,\u201d Banchero said.<\/p>\n
Banchero\u2019s career-high entering Monday was 43 points, set Jan. 3 against Sacramento. There were four first-half performances of 37 or more points last season \u2014 two by Phoenix\u2019s Devin Booker, one by Karl-Anthony Towns (then of Minnesota, now of New York) and one by Dallas\u2019 Luka Doncic.<\/p>\n
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