NBA: Banchero leads Magic to victory over Pelicans with triple-double in 121-106 win

The Orlando Magic secured a win against the New Orleans Pelicans with Paolo Banchero recording his second career triple-double. Despite missing his first 10 shots, Banchero finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Magic now have a record of 42-28, marking their second winning season in 12 years. Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner also contributed significantly to the victory, with Suggs scoring 22 points and Wagner adding 18. On the Pelicans’ side, Trey Murphy III had 21 points and Zion Williamson contributed 20 points, seven rebounds, and a spectacular block of Banchero.

In another NBA matchup, the Washington Wizards defeated the Sacramento Kings 109-102, snapping a five-game losing streak. Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 31 points and six rebounds, returning after missing two games due to shoulder soreness. Deni Avdija scored 17 points and Corey Kispert added 15 to secure the victory. The Sacramento Kings suffered their first loss in the last five meetings in Washington, showcasing the Wizards’ strong performance.

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-108, capitalizing on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to the lineup. Antetokounmpo, who had missed two games due to a left hamstring issue, contributed 21 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Damian Lillard recorded 30 points and 12 assists for the Bucks, while Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton, and Cam Thomas led the Nets in scoring. Despite a second-half comeback attempt, the Nets suffered their fifth straight loss.

The Houston Rockets secured a 127-117 victory over the Chicago Bulls, with Jalen Green scoring 26 points and Dillon Brooks adding 23 before being ejected from the game. The Rockets have gone 9-1 in March and are now just 2 1/2 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green contributed off the bench, while Amen Thompson recorded 15 points and eight rebounds for Houston.

Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-97 victory over the Utah Jazz, scoring 34 points and leading the Mavericks to move into the sixth and final guaranteed playoff position in the Western Conference. Dallas improved to 41-29 with their third straight victory, with Daniel Gafford adding 24 points. Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton led the Jazz in scoring, with Markkanen contributing 21 points after missing the previous seven games due to a quadriceps injury. The Mavericks secured a crucial win as they continue their playoff push in a competitive Western Conference.