The Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 128-118 Sunday afternoon in the Kia Center. This season, the Magic have gone 14-4 after losing their previous game and have won eight-straight games against the Pelicans.
Desmond Bane had a game-high 27 points, with Anthony Black not far behind at 26. For New Orleans, Zion Williamson had 22 points while Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole each scored 21.
In his return to action, Moe Wagner scored eight points off the bench, including two and-ones. Coming into the game, Wagner had missed 91 regular season games with an ACL tear.
“Obviously, it means a lot to me [to play],” Wagner said. “I’m kind of relieved now [that] I got it over with, you know.I’m excited that we got it over with, and now I can just like act like it never happened.”
Game Flow
First Quarter
Orlando started the contest 4-of-4 from the field, getting ahead to a 10-point lead in the first two minutes. However, the Magic would go cold for the rest of the period, shooting 6-of-18 to finish.
Inversely, New Orleans started 0-for-4 from the field but finished the quarter shooting 11-for-15. The Pelicans’ bench put up 11 points to aid in the comeback, while the Magic’s backup unit only scored three points. After 12 minutes, the teams were knotted at 26 apiece.
Second Quarter
To start the second quarter, Magic big Moe Wagner checked into the game for the first time this season after missing the last 91 regular season games with an ACL tear. In his two minutes of action in the half, Wagner scored his first basket of the season on an and-one drive while also picking up a rebound and an assist.
“It was obviously awesome,” Wagner said. “When you work so hard behind the scenes and you get to see the fans, you get to see the game live, but you’re really not participating to be able to engage after such a long time. It’s very cool and very fulfilling.”
Jordan Poole outshined Wagner’s return in the quarter, as his three straight made shots behind the arc gave the Pelicans their first lead of the contest. Poole finished the half with as many makes as the Magic combined.
The teams would trade blows to end the half, with New Orleans leading by one after two quarters of play. Poole’s 13 led the Pelicans and Anthony Black’s 14 points led the game.
Third Quarter
Coming out of the half, the teams continued to match each other. That was until New Orleans went on a 7-0 run, with Trey Murphy III scoring five of them and assisting on the other basket.
The Pelicans’ lead would only grow, as a Jeremiah Fears three gave them their first double-digit lead of the night. Orlando would try to fight back as back-to-back threes from Black and Tristan da Silva would cut the lead to five.
New Orleans quickly responded, growing their lead to 11, their largest of the contest. Despite da Silva’s four made threes in the period, the Magic went into the fourth down by seven due to a 39-point quarter from the Pelicans.
“I thought it was gigantic for [da Silva] to come in there and do what he did,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Just be able to be in the right spot at the right time, guys continuing to find him. But these guys just continue to find ways in these moments. Somebody’s got to step up in each moment, and each part of these games. Tristan happened to be there tonight.”
Fourth Quarter
To start the final quarter, Wagner scored another and-one and assisted on a Tyus Jones runner. Orlando would carry this momentum even after Wagner subbed out, as a Goga Bitadze floater and a Bane layup would cut the lead to seven.
Then, after what looked to be a clean Black basket, the referee called him for an offensive foul. Mosley challenged the ruling and was successful, giving Orlando the basket and a foul. Black would convert the opportunity with the deficit now only four points.
The teams would once again trade blows, with New Orleans growing the lead to five. However, Orlando would go on a 6-0 run powered by four points from Banchero to cut the lead to one and a falling layup from Bane to give the team its first lead of the quarter.
Following them taking the lead, the Magic outscored the Pelicans 15-6 to lock up the win.
“I think the execution, offensively, but the focus defensively [helped],” Mosley said. “Giving up 39 in that third is not who we wanted to be. It’s not who we are. And then turn it around and string stops together to hold them to 20 in that fourth quarter. That’s got to be our identity.”
Next Up
The Magic will travel to Berlin to face the Memphis Grizzlies in their first of two international games. If active, the Wagner brothers would play in the Uber Arena, the court they called home growing up.
The Magic will hope to have Franz Wagner return for the contest, as the younger Wagner brother has missed the last 16 games with an ankle injury. Orlando will look to win two games in a row for the first time in 20 games.
“I feel good,” Franz said. “I’ve been working with the org the last couple of weeks to get back as soon as I can. I don’t know if that will be in Berlin but regardless of if I play, it is a true full circle moment for Moe and I. Growing up, going as little kids to that gym to watch the pros play, and bring an NBA game there is pretty special for us. We’re just going to try and enjoy every second of it, take it all in and just appreciate the opportunity.”
Tip-off against the Grizzlies is set for 2:00 p.m. EST on Jan. 15.