Magic Come in Clutch for Big Road Win vs. Pelicans
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is letting the good times roll tonight after a tight 101-93 win in the Big Easy against the New Orleans Pelicans.
With the game tied at 91 with four minutes to go, the Magic had a chance to put past the demons of tight games and piece together a beautiful win down the stretch.
No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, who finished the game with a game-high 29 points, hit three crucial shots in the final four minutes to ice the contest for the Magic, while stout defensive efforts on the other end helped seal the deal.
For the Magic, a team on the outside of the playoff picture, wins like this are absolutely paramount at this time of year.
"You can feel the intensity being turned up since the break," Banchero said in the TV interview after the game.
Banchero was one of five Magic players to score in double figures. Wendell Carter Jr. scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for another double-double, while Moe Wagner dropped 14 off the bench.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram led all Pelicans with 25 points, but it wasn't enough to get the job done.
The Magic grabs the season series sweep with the win and hopes to build momentum going into March.
The Magic's road trip continues Wednesday when the team faces the Milwaukee Bucks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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