At shootaround Thursday morning, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley stated he considered Orlando‘s preseason finale as each an opportunity to undergo a costume rehearsal earlier than the beginning of the common season subsequent week and proceed to work on his rotation combos.
Orlando combined with its lineups and its starters noticed prolonged time on the court docket nicely into the fourth quarter of the exhibition in opposition to the Pelicans at Kia Middle.
Led by a mixed 43 factors from forwards Franz Wagner (24) and Paolo Banchero (19), the Magic outlasted the Pelicans in a high-scoring affair, 132-125, to complete 4-0 within the preseason.
“I cherished the way in which we shared the basketball,” Mosley stated after the win. “I feel 33 assists is a good quantity for us. We performed very unselfishly. Our potential to get again in transition … If we’re going to push the tempo and share the basketball the way in which we’re, we’ve obtained to ensure we’re doing it on the opposite finish as nicely.”
New Orleans trio Jordan Poole (21), Zion Williamson (18) and Trey Murphy III (18) mixed for 57 within the 7-point loss.
The distinction got here from distance when the Magic shot 14 of 31 (45.2%) from 3-point vary whereas holding the Pelicans to simply 29% (9 of 31) for the night time.
With the preseason wrapped up, the Magic will make their last preparations for the beginning of the common season subsequent Wednesday in opposition to the Warmth at Kia Middle.
Beginning 5
For simply the second time this preseason, Mosley rolled out Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.
Wagner and Banchero wasted no time making their marks on the sport when the duo mixed to attain 13 of Orlando’s first 15 factors by attacking the basket and setting the tone on offense by pushing the tempo.
Each have been environment friendly early on the free throw line with Wagner making his first 4 makes an attempt earlier than the break and Banchero opening 5 of 6. Banchero cleaned up the defensive glass to file a double-double with 10 rebounds.
“I assumed it was most likely our greatest crew effort of the preseason,” Banchero stated. “[There are] issues we might clear up however it was a superb effort, a superb constructing block going into opening night time.”
Orlando’s starters performed extra of the competition than they’d the primary three preseason video games with Wagner seeing 25 minutes of motion and Banchero 30 as they ramp up for the common season. 4 of the 5 led to double-digit scoring.
“Offensively, we performed good all sport — nice tempo, sharing the ball, discovering the following motion,” Wagner stated. “Defensively, just a little bit inconsistent however clearly it’s preseason. It’s good to see some errors as nicely, have them on them and study from them.”
Carter did just a little little bit of every little thing on each ends when he posted 14 factors, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and a pair of blocks in 29 minutes offering a bodily edge on protection.
Newcomers Bane and Jones mixed for 4 factors within the first half on 1 of 6 capturing from the sphere. Bane ended with 11 factors in 28 minutes and Jones simply 5 and 5 assists in 23.
Second unit
Orlando’s first 5 gamers off the bench have been so as, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, Jett Howard, Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze.
Isaac had an environment friendly night with 13 factors in 13 minutes on 6 of seven capturing from the sphere with 6 rebounds. The spotlight of his night time got here early when he linked with Carter for an alley-oop.
Black shot 3 of seven from the sphere however nonetheless ended with 11 factors because of a pair of triples with 3 assists.
Howard hit his first triple however solely tried yet one more long-range shot when he had 5 factors. Da Silva added 7 factors, 3 assists and a pair of rebounds in quarter-hour.
The Magic held a slight 59-55 benefit in bench scoring.
Rookie watch
In contrast to the primary three preseason video games, No. 25 choose Jase Richardson didn’t see the ground within the first half. As a substitute the Michigan State product checked into the competition for the primary with 5:20 left within the third quarter.
Richardson hustled for the ball late within the third quarter when he dove for it off a missed floater to get his personal rebound. Sitting on the court docket, he tossed the ball to da Silva for a dunk down the lane. Richardson portrayed his playmaking talents with 6 assists alongside 3 factors in 13 minutes
Second-round choose Noah Penda entered with with 3:52 left within the sport. The French ahead obtained to the free throw line as soon as the place he went 1 for two taking part in the rest of the night time.
Jason Beede may be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
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