The Magic take on the Pelicans in the Amway Center on the second night of a back-to-back. Orlando are aiming for a third straight win on Game Day 34.
The tip time is shown on the Orlando Magic website as being 12 midnight here in the UK (7pm Eastern for our friends in Orlando).
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The Game Day 34 Match Up
Last Games
Wednesday 22nd December – Orlando Magic 104 – 98 Atlanta Hawks
Magic Top Performances – Robin Lopez recorded a second season double-double in the last two games with 10 points and a career high 11 assists. Chuma Okeke continued to show his ability as he returns to form and match fitness. A career high 6 steals was supplemented with 12 points. Franz Wagner led the team in scoring with 25 points. Gary Harris added 17 points again. From the bench BJ Johnson hit 14 points, with all the bench unit producing good contributions despite an unfamiliarity.
Tuesday 21st December – Portland Trail Blazers 97 – 111 New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans Top Performances – Brandon Ingram scored 28 points, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker adding 27 points. Josh Hart totalled 20 points and Willy Hernangomez added 13 points.
Season Records
Orlando’s record is now 7 wins and 25 losses. The Magic remained 14th in the Eastern Conference. Of the last 10 games played the Magic have won 3 and the bigger picture is 14 losses in 17 games. The home record stands at 2 wins of 12 games played, whilst on the road it is 5 wins in 20 played. In points per game the Magic score 101.4 whilst conceding 110.9 In offensive rankings Orlando remain at 28th, but defensively have now improved to 25th.
The Pelicans have a record of 11 wins and 21 losses, being 14th in the Western Conference. Of the last 10 games played New Orleans have won 6, including their last 3 games. The Pelicans road record stands at 5 wins of 17 games played. In points per game the Pelicans score 104.6, whilst conceding 109.6. They rank 24th in both offensive and defensive statistics.
Head-To-Head: The New Orleans Pelicans
The head-to-head record across all the various franchise titles of the now New Orleans Pelicans sees the Magic leading 22-19 in the 41 regular season games played. Against the New Orleans Pelicans the Magic lead 11-5
The teams have not met yet this season.
Last season the series was split 1-1, each winning on the road. The first meeting of the season was on game day 48, which was shortly after the trade deadline moves. Orlando won by 115-110 in overtime, being led by Wendell Carter Jr. On game day 59 New Orleans won 135-100, Brandon Ingram leading all scorers with25 points.
The previous two seasons (2019-2020 and 2018-2019) saw the Magic sweep the series 2-0 on both occasions.
The teams have never met in the playoffs.
Our Opponents – The New Orleans Pelicans
Unlike many teams New Orleans do not have as big issues around injury or absence as many teams. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Covid), Jonas Valanciunas (illness), Zion Williamson (foot), Kira Lewis Jr (ACL) and Didi Louzada are their only absentees.
New Orleans used a starting lineup of Devonte’ Graham (PG), Josh Hart (SG), Brandon Ingram (PF), Herbert Jones (SF) and Jonas Valanciunas (C). Therefore Coach Willie Green will have to make a change tonight.
Other talent includes Willy Hernangomez, Trey Murphy III, Jaxson Hayes, Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, Navi Marshall and former Magic forward Gary Clark.
The Orlando Magic Injury Report
ESPN as I write again shows no changes to the Magic injury status.
Cole Anthony is out with a sprained right ankle.
Wendell Carter Jr is questionable with a lower leg injury.
Mo Bamba has entered NBA protocols for COVID-19 and is out for the game. He also sprained his right ankle in LA and missed the Atlanta game.
Terrence Ross has entered NBA protocols for COVID-19 and is out for the game.
RJ Hampton has entered NBA protocols for COVID-19 and is out for the game.
Moe Wagner has entered NBA protocols for COVID-19 and is out for the game.
Ignas Brazdeikis has entered NBA protocols for COVID-19 and is out for the game.
Markelle Fultz is still out. On Friday 10th December he went through his first full practice since the ACL injury in the left knee.
Jalen Suggs is out with a fractured right thumb. He will be out for “an extended period of time” and is to be reevaluated in the next week.
E’Twaun Moore remains out with a sprained left knee.
Michael Carter-Williams is out after surgery to remove a bone fragment and repair his left ankle ligament.
Jonathan Isaac continues to be out as he rehabilitates from a left knee ACL injury that saw him miss all of last season. He is said to be making great and steady progress, but is not yet cleared for contact.
The Orlando Lineup As The Magic Take On The Pelicans
Coach Mosely is likely to start with the same unit as against Atlanta, unless Wendell Carter Jr is deemed fit.
Magic Starting Lineup – Hassani Gravett (PG), Gary Harris (SG), Franz Wagner (SF), Chuma Okeke (PF), Robin Lopez (C)
Bench Unit – Aleem Ford, BJ Johnson, Admiral Schofield, Tim Frazier, Freddie Gillespie
Check Out Other Orlando Magic U.K. Content
On each game day make sure to check Twitter and Facebook to play along with our Magic Moments competition. Simply comment with your prediction for each of five questions we will ask on that night’s game. At the end of the season we will send out a prize to whoever tops the league with the most correct predictions.
We are also active on Instagram and TikTok.
Be sure to subscribe to Orlando Magic U.K. YouTube channel for episodes of our podcast Penny For Your Thoughts.
Final Thoughts On Game Day 34 As The Magic Take On The Pelicans
Last night’s victory was a game the Magic won built on simple offence and ball movement. From that movement Orlando had 27 assists. It was a team win, built on unity in adversity and taking offered opportunities with both hands. That spirit will be needed again as Orlando return home.
Brandon Ingram will need attention from the Magic defence.
As Orlando seek a third straight win this is a winnable game for th Magic.
Let’s Go Magic!
