Pelicans Offense Vanishes Late to Magic, Drop 4th-Straight Game

New Orleans, La - A change of scenery did not matter for the Pelicans as the Orlando Magic defeated New Orleans 101-93 at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans suffered their fourth-straight loss as they fight through a crowded Western Conference field.

Brandon Ingram started the game on fire for New Orleans. He scored the team's first nine points and seemed poised for a big offensive night. Turnovers did the Pelicans in early committing six in the first-quarter as the Magic capitalized off of the mistakes.

Orlando scored 36 points and led by 11 after the first quarter. It marked the third-straight home game the Pelicans allowed at least 35 points in the opening quarter. In the first stanza, the Magic shot 54% from three-point range compared to 14% for New Orleans.

The Pelicans finally stiffened defensively in the second quarter, surrendering just 14 points and outscoring the Magic by 10. Trey Murphy III provided a spark off the bench scoring 7 points in the quarter. Josh Richardson made an 18-foot jumper as time expired to draw the Pelicans within one at halftime.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with the largest lead only being eight points. It was a one-point game with six minutes left before the young Magic flexed their muscle.

Rookie of the Year favorite Paolo Banchero scored six-straight points for Orlando and forward Franz Wagner iced the game with a jumper.

New Orleans was ice-cold down the stretch scoring 5 points in the final six minutes. Ingram finished the game with 25 points on 8/19 shooting and CJ McCollum added 18 points. The Pelicans got little bench production contributing just 23 points on the evening.

Turnovers and an inefficient three-point shooting night doomed the Pelicans. The Magic scored 21 points off of 17 Pelicans turnovers.

New Orleans shot 22% from beyond the arc as their long-distance struggles continue. Orlando finished with five players in double-figures compared to the Pelicans' three.

It is gut-check time for New Orleans as they are 10th in the Western standings and embark on a three-game road trip. All three games are against teams trying to position themselves for the playoffs.

The Pels are 10-21 on the road and can ill-afford to drop more games as they meet at red-hot Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers.

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