NBA – Fourth consecutive defeat (101-93) of the Pelicans, beaten at home by the Magic of a decisive Paolo Banchero with three consecutive baskets at mid-distance to bend the match.
Problem: without Zion Williamson, many certainties flew away for New Orleans, led all game by a Magic team that found more offensive openings. The young troop of Jamahl Mosley however almost let slip the meeting, but Paolo Banchero returned the important shots (101-93).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Struggling shooters. The Pelicans and the Magic are among the bad students in terms of external address and it was seen last night. 9/34 for Orlando (27% success) against 6/27 for New Orleans (22%) with in particular a 3/15 in total for the duo CJ McCollum – Brandon Ingram. The problem is that when you can’t get a long shot, the defense can focus on protecting the circle. And everything becomes complicated.
– Paolo Banchero decisif. Unable to score a single point for almost four minutes in the fourth quarter, the Magic saw the Pelicans come back tied. As the crowds at the Smoothie King Center finally woke up, New Orleans seemed poised to take the upper hand. This is where Paolo Banchero took responsibility, with three mid-range baskets that knocked out Brandon Ingram and company for good.
– The Pelicans soon out of the Top 10? With this fourth consecutive defeat, New Orleans now has 15 defeats in the last 19 games. The troupe from Louisiana is this morning still in the Top 10 in the West but, at this rate, it shouldn’t last long…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Paolo Banchero. He is clearly the man of the match. Top scorer of the game (29 points at 10/18, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), he was clutch and is quietly heading towards the title of best rookie of the season. His three consecutive mid-range baskets did his team a world of good.
✅ Markelle Fultz. The former first draft pick is changing the face of the Magic. With him, his floaters and his aggressiveness, the opponent must be on his guard. No wonder he finished with the best +/- of the game (+19) with a complete line of stats: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
⛔️ Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. The two attacking leaders of the team suffered again, in efficiency and attitude. Inevitably, it’s the whole team that gets stuck when they have so much trouble really weighing in.
THE FOLLOWING
New Orleans (30-32) : meet in Portland, Wednesday (04:00)
Orlando (26-36) : the Bucks continue in Milwaukee, Wednesday (2:00 a.m.)
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