Pregame Report from AdventHealth Training Center
ORLANDO – After completing an arduous five-game, 10-day road trip, the Orlando Magic have finally returned home to host a game within the friendly confines of Amway Center where they’ve won six of their last nine contests.
Unfortunately, that stretch will be short lived as they’ll head right back out onto the road after the final buzzer sounds on Friday night.
The Magic (16-28) will attempt to make the most of their short home stint when they welcome in the New Orleans Pelicans (26-19) at 7 p.m. ET.
“It was great to back in a little bit of a routine and be around our families after being on the road,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley, whose team was able to squeeze in some off days and practice time in between their final game of the road trip against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday and Friday’s matchup with the Pelicans. “I think it’s so important that we get to be back around our families and get around the home crowd again.”
Orlando will need every bit of support from their home fans as it gets set to host a New Orleans team that ranks among the best in the West. And even though the Pelicans will be without Brandon Ingram (toe contusion) and Zion Williamson (right hamstring strain), they still possess plenty of firepower as one of the NBA’s top-10 scoring squads.
Over the last eight games – a stretch where New Orleans has been without both Ingram and Williamson – guard CJ McCollum is averaging a team-high 27.6 points per contest while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor and 45.3 percent from deep. The 10-year NBA veteran’s 4.1 triples made per game rank third in the association over that span.
“CJ McCollum is playing at a great clip right now,” said Mosley of the 31-year-old, who continues to shine for a Pelicans organization that acquired him nearly one year ago in a blockbuster deal from the Portland Trail Blazers. “Obviously, stopping him. And then, (Jonas) Valanciunas does such a great job around the rim, finishing around the basket.”
Along with their top-10 offense, New Orleans possesses the eighth-best defensive rating in the association. The Pelicans do a tremendous job of defending the perimeter as teams are shooting a league-low 34 percent from 3-point range against New Orleans. The Pelicans also force teams to cough up the rock, coming up with 8.5 steals per game, the second most in the league.
“Their defense is really high level,” said Magic rookie Paolo Banchero. “They have a lot of defenders who like to put pressure on ball handlers (and) make it difficult for guys to get their looks. So, we’re going to have to be locked in, move the ball (and) not catch and hold.”
IN AND OUT: The continuity in the Magic’s starting lineup could be short lived. Franz Wagner, who’s having a sensational sophomore campaign, sprained his ankle during Orlando’s practice session on Wednesday and is questionable for this contest. Kevon Harris (G League – Two-Way), Caleb Houstan (G League – On Assignment), Jonathan Isaac (competition reconditioning), and Chuma Okeke (left knee surgery) are out.
For New Orleans, Herbert Jones (right low back contusion) and Naji Marshall (toe soreness) are questionable, while Ingram, E.J. Liddell (right knee; ACL injury recovery), Dereon Seabron (G League – Two-Way), and Williamson are out.
KEY STATS: Isaac continues to shine for Lakeland as he ramps up for his return to NBA action. The 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward notched 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 22 minutes of action to help lead the Lakeland Magic to a 125-121 road victory over the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Thursday night.
“I’m excited for him being back on the court more than anything,” said Mosley of Isaac, who's now played in three games for Lakeland. “His ability to get acclimated, going through different situations, different reads, different coverages, just getting comfortable getting back on the basketball court.”
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s always so important to be able to give back, to be able to share, to be able to care, and to be able to show how much the community impacts us and how much we want to be able to impact the community. It’s about being able to spread and share joy, love, and connect with as many people as possible to bring as many people together as possible.”- Mosley on the Magic’s week of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Every member of the team’s staff spent time volunteering at one of 16-plus events across the Central Florida community over the course of the week.
HOW TO WATCH: Watch the game on Bally Sports Florida or tune in on radio via FM 96.9 The Game.