Evan Fournier’s career-high 30 points helped propel the Orlando Magic to their first win with a 103-94 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Orlando Magic have had to endure heartbreak and disappointment in the first week of the season. The team has played well enough to win every game it has played to this point. The score just said otherwise.
The Magic finally broke through, making the plays and showing the composure to win in a way they had not to this point done.
Orlando got two big 3-pointers from Evan Fournier, who scored a career-high 30 points as Orlando defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 103-94 at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday.
The Magic finally got off the bench and picked up their first win.
Orlando led by as many as 18 points, building a lead in much the same way it did against Oklahoma City. The Magic defended well and forced turnovers to get out on the break. They picked up the pace and executed efficiently.
The lead was built up and comfortable. And they would not give it up this time although the Pelicans made a big run behind 12 3-pointers in 36 attempts.
The Magic stayed together defensively though and made stops when they needed to, helping hold Anthony Davis to 14 points on 3-for-12 shooting.
Orlando’s offense hummed along nicely most of the way with Fournier scoring a career-high 30 points. Fournier was aggressive attacking the basket and set a tone early. When his shot would not fall, he found a way to contribute and get to the basket.
That is what Scott Skiles was asking from the Magic throughout the night. And throughout the season. Stick to the team’s principles and find a way to contribute to a win.
That happened throughout the night whether it was Victor Oladipo or C.J. Watson drawing a charge, or Nikola Vucevic grabbing a key rebound or finally cracking Anthony Davis’ strong defense or Elfrid Payton awakening and dishing out assist after assist in crunch time.
It all came together for the Magic. And for the first time they got a win.
