Preseason: Diva scored 24 points and the Magic narrowly defeated the Pelicans for 4 consecutive victories. Zion scored 18+5+6 and Poole scored 21 points.

On October 17, the Pelicans played against the Magic in an away game in the NBA preseason. The Magic led by 19 points, but the Pelicans counterattacked and were only led by 3 points in the first three quarters. In the final quarter, the Magic re-expanded their double-digit lead. In the end, the Magic defeated the Pelicans 132-125. The Magic ended the preseason with a win in all 4 games. The Pelicans suffered a 2-game losing streak in the preseason.

Statistics

Pelicans: Zion scored 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists on 9-of-11 shooting, Murphy scored 4 three-pointers, 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, Poole had 21 points, Fells had 16 points, and Hawkins had 15 points.

Magic: Wagner Jr. scored 24 points with 3 three-pointers, Banqueiro had 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, Carter had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks, Bane had 11 points, Black had 11 points, and Isaac had 13 points.

Game Review

The Pelicans suffered their first defeat of the preseason after losing 128-130 to the Rockets in their last game. The Magic won three consecutive games in the first three preseason games. The Pelicans are missing Murray and Looney in this game, and the Magic are missing Wagner and Suggs. The Magic led 11-9 at the beginning of the first quarter. The Magic scored 4 points in a row to take the lead, and the Pelicans caught up to 4 points. The Magic, led by Wagner Jr., launched a 14-0 offensive to expand their 18-point advantage. At the end of the first quarter, the Magic led the Pelicans 38-21 by 17 points.

In the second quarter, the Magic's offensive firepower dropped significantly. They scored 15 points less in the second quarter than in the first quarter. The Magic maintained a 40-25 lead in the first two and a half minutes. Poole and Zion led the Pelicans to continue to counterattack and chase points, and the Magic maintained a 57-41 lead with 3 minutes and 40 seconds left. The Pelicans continued to catch up to the single-digit gap, especially when Poole scored 14 points in the second quarter. The Magic recovered 10 points 23-33 in a single quarter. At the end of the first half, the Magic led the Pelicans 61-54. In the first two quarters, Zion scored 16 points +3+4 and Poole had 14 points.

Returning from the halftime break, both sides scored 30+ points in a single quarter to start the battle. The Magic led 71-56 by 15 points in the first 2 minutes. The Pelicans launched a 19-5 offensive to catch up to 1 point. The two sides continued to cling to the score and fight. The Magic lost 31-35 by 5 points in a single quarter. At the end of the third quarter, the Magic were chased 92-89 and only led the Pelicans by 3 points. In the first three quarters of the game, three players from both sides scored in double figures: Wagner Jr. with 21 points, Benqueiro with 17+8 and Carter with 12+7+6, Poole with 21 points, Murphy with 18+7 and Zion with 18+5+6.

In the first 5 and a half minutes of the last quarter, the Magic only led the Pelicans 109-104. The Magic scored 5 points in a row to expand their 12-point lead. Afterwards, the Magic blossomed inside and outside, further expanding their 123-110 lead to 13 points. The Pelicans continued to counterattack to catch up to the single-digit gap but still fell short. In the end, the Magic defeated the Pelicans 132-125 in the preseason and maintained a complete victory.

Starting lineup for both sides

Pelicans: Murphy, Zion, Missy, Herbert Jones, Poole

Magic: Wagner Jr., Benqueiro, Carter, Bane, Jones

(Text/Zuiwo Fusheng)