by Rell Wright/Pelican Contributor
In a fervent showdown at New Orleans, the Orlando Magic, led by the dynamic Paolo Banchero, outplayed the Pelicans to clinch a 117-108 victory, escalating their standing to fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Banchero’s stellar 32-point performance, marking his 10th game scoring at least 30 points this season, played a pivotal role in the Magic’s triumph. The game, characterized by its intense physicality, saw the ejection of three Pelicans players—Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Dyson Daniels—in the final moments, an occurrence Banchero described as unprecedented.
Orlando’s coach, Jamahl Mosley, lauded his team’s composure under pressure, highlighting it as a sign of maturity in a youthful squad learning to navigate the rigors of victory. Despite CJ McCollum‘s valiant 36-point effort for New Orleans, the team’s third consecutive loss has led to a slide down to sixth in the Western Conference standings. The Pelicans, grappling with injuries and a string of defeats, now face the challenge of regrouping as they continue their quest in the highly competitive league.
