Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 103, New Orleans Pelicans 94
The Orlando Magic put together a strong, complete effort to get their first win Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Final. 94. 69. 103. 38
Scott Skiles said the Orlando Magic lacked energy in Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. It was not an effort indicative of his team — past or present. He would demand better.
He got it Tuesday as the Orlando Magic came roaring out of the gates and took control of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans almost immediately. Orlando once again built as much as an 18-point lead, withstanding New Orleans’ barrage of 3-pointers in the third quarter that cut the lead down to five points.
Orlando though held on. The team executed down the stretch, waking from its offensive slumber to return to the ball movement and space play that were the hallmarks of building the lead.
Evan Fournier locked the game down with back-to-back 3-pointers and the Magic had completed their first win of the season.
G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. A. <p>There is not much to say about Evan Fournier that a box score does not tell us — a career-high 30 points, 12-for-20 shooting, 4-for-9 shooting from beyond the arc.</p><p>Fournier was every bit as good as that box score suggests. And even better. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts in the first half, his only misses in the first half. That Fournier attacked the basket and kept his head up even with his shot not falling. That made him productive even when his shot was not falling.</p><p>Tuesday his shot was falling and that made Fournier the best player on the floor overall.</p>
C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. B. <p>Nikola Vucevic had a pretty difficult matchup having to go up against the long-limbed Alexis Ajinca and Anthony Davis. Vucevic is no slouch himself, but he is not exactly fleet of foot to avoid either even when he does beat them.</p><p>Against Davis, Vucevic had his struggles. The times he tried to go straight up against Davis, Vucevic had his shot blocked pretty easily at times. Davis does that. But he got the best of him in the fourth quarter with a smooth move and hook over him.</p><p>Vucevic displayed some nice footwork in the post against Ajinca on several occasions too. And he was solid again on the glass with 13 rebounds to go with his 22 points. It was not a clean game for Vucevic, but he did well.</p>
<p>Elfrid Payton was very lethargic early on. Jrue Holiday pestered him on several occasions and forced him into turnovers. Payton had five turnovers and did not get the team moving in the right direction. He was not very good on the court.</p><p>It seemed C.J. Watson was the better point guard option, even with the two playing together. Payton was not making shots and looking very uncomfortable even driving the ball and probing. That changed when Watson went out after a rough hit on an offensive foul.</p><p>Payton’s fourth quarter was significantly better. He drove with purpose, made difficult passes with precision and ran the team efficiently. He finished with eight points and 10 assists while shooting just 4 for 12. But his strongest play came when the Magic needed it most, awakening and finding comfort very quickly at a critical time.</p>. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON. B-
C. <p>Jason Smith is getting minutes over Aaron Gordon right now. That will frustrate many fans and it should. For the most part, though, Smith gives the Magic the best chance at winning. Or at least the way he has played the last two games has over Gordon. That should not be the case for the long term.</p><p>Smith’s first stint in the first half was very good. He made jumpers was solid rotating defensively. As a veteran, it makes sense he has a leg up in learning a new system and implementing it quicker. He should give way as the season goes on.</p><p>His second stint was not as successful though. Smith took too many shots and favored his mid-range jumper more than continuing to move the ball or trying to drive to the basket against a hard-closing power forward. Not a lot is expected of Smith other than making the open jumper, but he became something of an offensive liability in the second half.</p>. F/C. Orlando Magic. JASON SMITH
D. <p>The New Orleans Pelicans are still a skeleton crew. Without Tyreke Evans and Omer Asik, they were down two starters and two important starters. But this is still a team learning their own new coach and gaining an identity. Right now that identity is bad.</p><p>Anthony Davis was virtually nonexistent on offense. He made just 3 of 12 shots and had precious few touches near the basket. He scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, blocking a few shots too. His energy was just off. And having him on the perimeter was not the greatest thing for the offense.</p><p>The attention the Magic had to give him on rolls did open up the 3-point shot for the Pelicans. They made 12 of 36 and that helped New Orleans cut into the lead in the third quarter. That was not sustainable though. The Magic were good at shutting down the paint and controlled everything with the Pelicans. This was Orlando’s game all the way.</p>. 0-4. 15th West. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS