Magic defeats the Pelicans

Better late than never Orlando. The Magic beat the Pelicans 128-118 on Sunday, a great performance that doesn’t say everything about Florida’s struggles in winning. New Orleans bravely gambled for three quarters, before Jamal Mosley’s players woke up on defense to make the difference.

Noah Penda is the starter again, and he opens the score with 3 points and concludes a very nice collective movement. The Magic’s start was perfect with 12-0 after three minutes of play against the Pelicans who were too static offensively. However, this rapid onset does not last between a Paolo Banchero not in shooting and rotation without relief. Mo Wagner returns after a 386-day absence, but the German can’t stop New Orleans from waking up. The Pelicans take advantage of Orlando’s very poor circle coverage to find solutions and address. The dynamic is completely reversed: from the initial 5/5 shooting, the home team ends the first quarter with 5/17, while the Pelicans go from 0/5 to 11/14. An 11-0 run brings the guests back to level after the first quarter (26-26).

Jordan Poole with the filament

bleeding, Desmond Bane revives its own. Question reboot, hard to do better however than Jordan Poole. Transparent during two of his last three outings (0 points against the Lakers, then at the Wizards), the guard starts the match with a three-pointer 4/4! Struggling on offense, the Magic went back to basics, looking for foul after foul (18-20 on free throws after two quarters). It’s a different story when it comes to defense, not quite up to the standards Jamahl Mosley demands. Karlo Matković etc Ives Missythen the holders Jeremiah Fears etc Zion Williamsonback on the floor, having fun. You need it very well Anthony Black (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists on the break) to limit the damage and see Orlando trail by just one point at halftime (58-59).

The hiatus doesn’t set Magic back on its feet, quite the contrary. The Floridians are giving the Pelicans counter-attacking possessions and are no longer getting free throws to fuel the scoring. Duo Derrick Queen stick and Trey Murphy III takes care of everything for New Orleans, still just as successful on offense. This false rhythm suits the visitors perfectly, who take up to 11 points ahead of an incredible shot by Pool, at 24 seconds, from behind the arc… and with the left hand (81-92, 31′). After making free throws in the second quarter, Orlando held on this time thanks to his skill with 6/7 in the period, including a perfect 4/4 for Tristan Da Silva.

One bounce, and that’s enough for the Magic

The hosts have seven points to make up at the start of the last period, the right time to finally raise the tone a little in defense. This excess activity changes everything. Black leads the way in scoring, followed by all of Magic. Orlando makes much better use of favorable defensive oppositions for Buncher or Bain. The former Grizzly player makes an impossible layup to continue the home team’s good streak and bring them back to the lead (113-112, 43′). New Orleans is suddenly soundless, and Fears then Queen are also missing finished baskets. It was too much for James Borrego’s players, who shot 64.4% in the lead in the first three acts, but completely collapsed with six points scored in the final 6’40.” Magic won the last quarter 37-20, and won in the finish.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

The Magic revisited the “Big 3” did the job. Still without Franz Wagner, Orlando can count on Anthony Black, who has raised his level of play in recent weeks. His trio with Paolo Bunchero and Desmond Bain was decisive, especially in the final quarter where he scored 28 of the Magic’s 37 points. The three combined for 76 points on a magnificent 9/10 shooting for the Black and versatile Buncher after a shy start (23 points on 7/16, 8 rebounds, 8 assists).

Orlando continued de faire le io-io. And 14 straight games for the Magic to alternate between losses and wins. Orlando stands still, but has the merit of resistance. Undoubtedly, there was an opportunity to make his task easier this week by playing with the same intensity as in the final quarter long before. A trip to Europe next week in Berlin and then London for two games against the moribund Grizzlies could help put an end to this ridiculous streak.

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.