Two struggling and short-handed groups meet Friday evening when the New Orleans Pelicans go to the Orlando Magic.
The Pelicans have misplaced three straight video games, whereas the Magic have misplaced 5 straight as accidents have taken their toll.
The Pelicans are lacking Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III, however they did get Zion Williamson (29 factors) and Jordan Hawkins (seven) again Wednesday evening. They utilized their seventh beginning lineup in 9 video games and hung near the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers earlier than dropping 131-122.
“I cherished the combat and competitiveness of our group,” Pelicans head coach Willie Inexperienced stated. “These guys, they step on the ground and provides every little thing they have. We simply got here up brief. It is going to flip, however we’re going via somewhat little bit of a storm early within the season. We have simply bought to proceed to remain collectively. It is a lengthy 12 months.”
New Orleans led for a lot of the primary half, which ended tied 59-all. The Cavaliers surged forward by outscoring the Pelicans 40-29 within the third quarter, although New Orleans did combat again within the fourth to inside six factors.
“I appreciated the vitality we had (within the fourth quarter),” Williamson stated. “However for us to win these powerful video games we won’t have any slippage in any quarter like we had within the third quarter. I can not have 4 turnovers like that. I’ve to get my turnovers down.”
All 5 losses within the Magic’s streak got here throughout a street journey that ended with a 118-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Orlando trailed by as many as 18 factors within the first half earlier than preventing again and arising brief.
“I assumed we performed good protection,” stated Franz Wagner, who led the Magic with 28 factors. “We switched it up somewhat bit with the zone. I believe that bought them out of their rhythm somewhat bit. From there, we performed quick basketball — the best way we need to play.
“General, it was a means higher sport than the final couple of video games, however clearly we nonetheless have rather a lot to enhance on.”
Orlando misplaced at Dallas 108-85 on Sunday and at Oklahoma Metropolis 102-86 on Monday. The sport towards the Pelicans will start a five-game homestand.
All-Star Magic ahead Paolo Banchero (indirect) is predicted to overlook just a few extra weeks, and heart Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) missed the sport at Indiana and is day-to-day.
Goga Bitadze has began the final two video games in Carter’s place and had 10 factors and 12 rebounds towards the Pacers. Anthony Black got here off the bench to attain a season-high 12 factors.
“(Black) was aggressive getting downhill, attacking the basket, discovering the open man, after which defending the correct means,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “That is what we’re asking of Anthony Black.”
Orlando has been stricken by slows begins, getting outscored by a median of 12.8 factors within the first quarters of its final 4 losses.
