Pelicans Travel To Orlando Seeking First Win In Preseason

New Orleans looks to avoid going winless in preseason as they travel to Orlando to take on the Magic.

Orlando, FL - The New Orleans Pelicans are seeking their first preseason win against the same team they opened the preseason against. New Orleans travels to Orlando to take on the Magic in the Pels preseason finale. These teams played on October 10 back at the Smoothie King Center, a game the Magic won 122-105.

New Orleans starters played around 20 minutes in the opener, and Coach Willie Green says they are having internal discussions on how many minutes the starters could play on Tuesday. Regardless of who plays, the Pelicans must curtail the mistakes made through the first three games. The Pelicans are averaging 21 turnovers per contest, which is derailing offensive production.

The team has the worst point differential in the league this preseason (18.3), and all three opponents have scored at least 110 points versus the Pelicans. One of the team's bright spots is the play of rookie guard Jordan Hawkins.

Hawkins leads the team in points per game (13.0), field goals made (14), and three-pointers made (9) this preseason. Expect Hawkins to get a bunch of playing time on Tuesday, especially because of the injuries New Orleans is dealing with. 

The team is without Trey Murphy III, Larry Nance, Jr, and Jose Alvarado. In Saturday's game versus Atlanta, both Herb Jones and Naji Marshall left the game and did not return. Jones is listed as day-to-day after taking a hard pick and getting hit in the face. Marshall injured his leg after attempting to rebound and hyperextended his knee. An MRI revealed a bone bruise, and the team says he will be re-evaluated in two weeks. 

In the first matchup between these teams a week ago, the Pelicans went ice-cold from beyond the arc. New Orleans shot 23% from three, and the Magic were +21 from the three-point line. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both had strong offensive performances in the limited time they played. 

Orlando heads into the matchup undefeated at 2-0. Wendell Carter, Jr lead all scorers with 18 last Tuesday. Reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero had a solid game, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds.

This is the team's final dress rehearsal before the regular season starts on October 25 in Memphis. Last season, New Orleans went 4-1 in the preseason. The team hopes to avoid a winless preseason and try to gain some momentum heading into the regular season next week.