Image courtesy of Keith Allison/Flickr.
Playing on opening night for the second consecutive season, the Orlando Magic took to the road to face superstar in the making, Anthony Davis, and the New Orleans Pelicans. With spectacular play from Davis, and former Magic forward, Ryan Anderson, the Pelicans would go on to rout the Magic 101-84.
The Magic started the game sputtering out of the gate, but would soon get some offense going thanks to Nikola Vucevic, who had a big first quarter with 10 points and 7 rebounds. The Magic also caught a lucky break with the Pelicans shooting poorly at the free-throw line, going 3-of-11 from the stripe. The Magic led 25-24 at the end of the first.
The Pelicans would turn the tables on the Magic in the second quarter. The team would gash the Magic in the paint, grabbing 13 of their 17 first half offensive boards, and scoring an absurd 40 of their 48 points in the paint in the first half. The Magic also committed 5 turnovers, which led to 9 points for the Pelicans. They would lead 48-41 at the end of the half.
The Magic would show their grit and toughness, fighting their way back into game and even taking a brief lead, but things would turn for the worst as Ryan Anderson would go on to hit back-to-back-to-back triples, scoring the last 11 points to burn his former team.
It was smooth sailing from that moment on as the Magic just couldn’t find an answer for Anthony Davis, who dominated since the start of the second half blocking every shot, and grabbing every rebound within his reach.
Anthony Davis led all scorers with 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 blocks. Ryan Anderson with 22 points, 9 rebounds off the bench. Omer Asik had 14 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocks on the night. Tyreke Evans finished with 12. The Pelicans’ frontcourt of Davis, Anderson, and Asik combined for a grand total of 62 points and 43 rebounds, out gaining the Magic in the paint 64-to-48
Tobias Harris led the Magic with 25 points. Nik Vucevic had 15 points and 23 rebounds. Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon finished with 11 points each.
Magic return to Orlando to face John Wall and the Washington Wizards on Thursday
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