The Orlando Magic have to bounce right back after a close loss to the Phoenix Suns as they travel to New Orleans to face the scorching New Orleans Pelicans.
Orlando Magic (16-50) at New Orleans Pelicans (27-38)
Time/TV: 8 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Pelicans by 8.5
Tickets: $6-$196 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Pelicans 110, Magic 104 in Orlando on Dec. 23; Tonight in New Orleans
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.8 | 103.7 | 111.7 | 50.0 | 24.9 | 14.6 | 22.6 |
| New Orleans | 97.9 | 109.7 | 111.1 | 51.4 | 29.9 | 14.6 | 25.7 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic will have to bounce back pretty quickly from a disheartening and, at times, frustrating loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The Magic fought back to get a chance to tie the game but Franz Wagner’s shot was blocked at the buzzer. Orlando lost an opportunity for a win (even against a depleted Phoenix team).
There is no rest in the NBA. The team is right back to it against the New Orleans Pelicans. And they will be without Markelle Fultz as the team continues to manage his injury.
The Pelicans are on a roll since acquiring CJ McCollum. The team’s offense has really started to hit its stride and the Pelicans are back in the playoff conversation. It will make for a tough matchup — even with both teams on a back-to-back.
3 Keys To Watch
Defensive improvement?
The Orlando Magic’s defense has been a wild ride all year long. The team looked every bit a young and lost team early in the season. Then became a juggernaut in January before wilting in February. Orlando wants to hang its hat on defense and it has been a slow burn to get there.
The Magic are 20th in the league in defensive rating at 111.9 points allowed per 100 possessions. For a team at the bottom of almost every major statistical category, that feels good by comparison. The team is hoping it is taking at least a small step forward defensively.
The Orlando Magic won Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors with a 96.0 defensive rating. They gave up only 97.1 points per 100 possessions in Tuesday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns. Those are all positive signs. The Orlando Magic have given up fewer than 110 points per 100 possessions in five of the past six games (the Memphis Grizzlies game the only exception).
If the Magic are starting to defend a lot better, then that will give the team a better chance to win down the stretch.
New New Orleans
These are not the New Orleans Pelicans from December. These are not the New Orleans Pelicans even from a month ago. Back when these two teams first met at Amway Center, the Pelicans seemed like a good candidate to tank. Now they are on a roll and they are in a position to make the Play-In Tournament. It shows how successful the Play-in Tournament has been to keep teams largely competitive.
Since the trade deadline, the Pelicans are fourth in the league in offensive rating (118.1 points per 100 possessions) and 11th in defensive rating (111.8 points allowed per 100 possessions). That is quite a turnaround for the Pelicans. This is a brand new team.
Give CJ McCollum a lot of credit for that. He arrived on the team and has averaged 26.6 points per game with a 60.6-percent effective field goal percentage. This is on top of Brandon Ingram remaining on an All-Star level. New Orleans suddenly has a dynamic offensive attack.
Clutch problems
The Orlando Magic’s loss to the Phoenix Suns highlighted the team’s issues in the clutch. In clutch situations, the Magic have the fewest wins with eight and have played in the fewest clutch games at 32. So there are not a lot of opportunities for the team to win and play in close games.
Still, there have not been a lot of successful moments. Not since early in the season when Cole Anthony was hitting big shots and hinting at All-Star potential.
The Magic’s offense craters in clutch situations — 101.6 points allowed per 100 possessions is 26th in the league, at least. The team actually defends well enough to give them a chance — 101.0 points allowed per 100 possessions in the clutch, fifth in the league!
Orlando should be winning more of these games. But the team just does not make shots. Or enough shots. Take them as another learning experience.