Paolo Banchero on how he wants to ‘show my respect’ to Jayson Tatum in Magic-Celtics playoff match-up

The Orlando Magic were the first team to make it to through the second chance into the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

In a dominating fashion , the Orlando Magic landed themselves back in the postseason picture for the second consecutive year, pulverizing the Atlanta Hawks with a 120-90 victory of their Play-In Tournament duel on April 15.

Orlando came out hard from start to finish with five players tallying double-digit scoring.

Cole Anthony led the Magic off the bench, finishing with 26 points with a sizzling hot 10-of-17 shooting in 20 minutes.

Paolo Banchero poured the second-best performance for the Magic with his 17-point outing alongside nine boards and seven assists.

Paolo Banchero unfazed by tough battle ahead against Boston Celtics With their Play-In victory against the Hawks, the Magic officially marched on their way to the playoff arena.

But what awaits them in the opening round is undoubtedly a major challenge.

As the No.

7 team in the Eastern Conference , Orlando is set for a best-of-seven brawl against the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics.

Touted as one of the best teams in the league, the Celtics are well positioned for a potential solid title defense after clinching 61 wins this season, putting them at the top-two spot just behind the Conferences best Cleveland Cavaliers .

But the Magic have taken two of their three regular season series games this season, at least giving entire Orlando a shot of optimism.

Acknowledging the hardships that they had to go through all season long from tons of devastating injuries across their key players, Banchero and the Magic do not mind being the clear underdogs in embracing the upcoming bold series ahead.

Im just excited to be in the playoffs, in general, Banchero said.

We had an up and down season, so the fact that were able to clinch a seven-seed with this game and give ourselves a chance to go into Boston and make some noise, Im just happy about that.

Definitely looking forward to the challenge.

Banchero looks forward on his upcoming clash with Jayson Tatum The Celtics-Magic series is now being highly anticipated out of the looming face-off between Banchero and Jayson Tatum .

As two of the leagues brightest stars, Banchero and Tatum have a fond familiarity.

Both of them play a similar basketball position and play style, while having that shared collegiate connection as former Duke Blue Devils.

The young Orlando star couldnt be more thrilled to go toe-to-toe with Tatum under the bright lights of the NBA Playoffs.

Ive known Jayson since I was going into college.

I see him every summer.

A guy Im very familiar with.

One of the guys I go to for advice and stuff like that, Banchero said.

But you know, obviously now were competing.

And I think the best way for me to show my respect is to give him my best effort and go at him as much as I can.

Im excited for the matchup.

The Magic and the Celtics will commence the opening game of their 2025 Playoff first-round series on April 19 in Boston.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission..

This article has been shared from the original article on yardbarker, here is the link to the original article:

https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/paolo_banchero_on_how_he_wants_to_show_my_respect_to_jayson_tatum_in_magic_celtics_playoff_match_up/s1_17149_42058828