Orlando Pinstriped Post - Magic vs. Pelicans: Preseason continues as New Orleans visitsAn Orlando Magic blog with news, rumors, analysis, and commentaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/21281/orlando-fave.jpg2015-10-22T01:40:07-04:00http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/rss/stream/93554992015-10-22T01:40:07-04:002015-10-22T01:40:07-04:00Hezonja excels as Magic increase intensity
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UED24eZ3pT4IWqJ1ahfmjikGdEI=/0x0:2948x1965/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47490469/usa-today-8873874.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In this notebook, Zach looks at Mario Hezonja's good night against New Orleans and how the team stretched out its starters. </p> <h4>Hezonja shines in win</h4>
<p>Desperately needing a boost off their bench, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> got that on Wednesday night from rookie <span>Mario Hezonja</span>. Hezonja, who got pulled early during his first stint after a poor defensive play, put together his best game of the preseason so far, finishing with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including four three-pointers. While his strong game is a welcome sign, the rookie still has plenty of work to do.</p>
<p>Checking in late in the first quarter, Hezonja was attacked immediately by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">New Orleans Pelicans</a>, giving up an easy bucket. Coach <span>Scott Skiles</span> quickly got <span>Aaron Gordon</span> up from the bench to spell Hezonja, but pulled Gordon back after Hezonja knocked down a pair of triples.</p>
<p>After sitting for much of the remainder of the first half, Hezonja got his chance to shine in the third quarter. With his team trailing and desperately needing a shot of energy, the Croatian sharpshooter came in and made an impact right away. On his first touch of the quarter, Hezonja knocked down a jumper. He then proceeded to make a pair of free throws at the end of the period to draw the Magic within four.</p>
<p>In the early portion of the fourth period, Hezonja knocked down a pair of three-pointers, the second of which gave the Magic a one-point endge. After Orlando missed three of its first four shots, Hezonja knocked down a pull-up from mid-range, once again giving the Magic a one-point lead. While he didn't score again, he had a key rebound in the overtime period that led to a three-pointer form <span>Evan Fournier</span> that all but locked up the Magic's victory.</p>
<p>Following the game, Coach Skiles talked about why he took the rookie out early. "What is happening to him... he checks into the game, whatever point we put him in, teams either go right at him or plays are occurring that he is not comfortable with and he gets taken advantage of often for the first few minutes he's in the game. He plays like three or four minutes and he is already minus six when he checks in," he said. "Once we get him out, he takes a deep breath and is always much better."</p>
<p>The performance was one that was important to see from Hezonja, who hasn't exactly had the strongest preseason. He's shown flashes, but Wednesday night was the first time we really saw just what he can bring to the table. He still has a lot of work to do, and is adjusting to the NBA game everyday, but in due time, could be doing big things for the young Magic team.</p>
<h4>Stretching guys out</h4>
<p>With only one preseason game remaining after Wednesday's win, the Magic began to stretch out their starters, playing them closer to the minutes they could be seeing come regular season time. While they were without starting point guard <span>Elfrid Payton</span> yet again due to a hamstring injury, and Gordon was limited after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired foot, the starters and key rotational pieces who did play played well.</p>
<p>All five Magic starters played 27 minutes or more, with <span>Victor Oladipo</span> playing the fewest at 27, mainly due to foul trouble. Down the stretch, they relied on center <span>Nikola Vucevic</span> to get them big buckets, something he continued to do, single handedly carrying the team in the overtime period. <span>Tobias Harris</span>, who Skiles said didn't play late because of orders from the training staff, was one of the Magic's most aggressive players from the tip of the ball.</p>
<p>Getting the key players time together, especially late in a tight game, is highly important. They have to begin to feel each other out in those situations, and see what the others can do. While they may not have had the exact group that will close out games on the floor -- Hezonja, <span>Channing Frye</span> and Fournier played much of the fourth quarter and overtime -- it was good to see what a unit with those three, Vucevic and <span>C.J. Watson</span>, the team's only healthy point guard, could do.</p>
<p>Coach Skiles was pleased with his team overall, saying they did a good job of finishing the game. Despite the good, strong finish, he wasn't pleased with how his team played in the second quarter. "Our first quarter was really good. Our third quarter was very good. Out second quarter was awful. We sprinkled in that one bad quarter, like we have done. But, other than the second quarter, we played hard."</p>
<p>Getting a chance to see his guys in a late-game situation was important, and something that should give the Magic an added boost of confidence moving forward. While they had to finish it in overtime, they did a lot of good things, and they have another building block moving forward because of it.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="ff-promo-snippet">
<h3>Keep up with all of our Magic coverage</h3>
<div class="item">
<i class="ss-social">Twitter</i><a class="twitter" target="new" href="https://twitter.com/oppmagicblog">Follow on Twitter</a>
</div>
<div class="item">
<i class="ss-social">Facebook</i><a class="facebook" target="new" href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost">Like on Facebook</a>
</div>
<div class="item">
<i class="ss-icon">check</i><a class="more-content" target="new" href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=snippet">Check out all of our Magic content</a>
</div>
</div>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2015/10/22/9591114/orlando-magic-nba-preseason-2015-mario-hezonja-pelicans-overtimeZach Oliver2015-10-21T22:10:44-04:002015-10-21T22:10:44-04:00Hezonja sparks Magic in overtime victory
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zKBTbd4iC8pVxmKCIuzIOLkjO04=/0x603:1149x1369/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47489727/usa-today-8873645.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Magic went to overtime once again, beating the Pelicans, 110-107. </p> <p>In front of a mostly empty Amway Center, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> tipped it up in their penultimate preseason game with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">New Orleans Pelicans</a>. A second straight overtime home preseason game, and another Magic win, with the Magic eeking out a 110-107 victory against the Pelicans.</p>
<p>Early on, the Magic were the much more active team, attacking the Pelicans on every possession. <span>Victor Oladipo</span> took advantage of a mismatch defensively, getting by <span>Dante Cunningham</span> and to the rim at will. The Magic's offense was free flowing, with strong cuts getting the Pelicans out of position defensively, allowing easy shots on many of their trips down the floor. The hosts finished the quarter with seven assists on 10 made field goals, despite missing starting point guard <span>Elfrid Payton</span> with a hamstring injury. <span>Tobias Harris</span> led the way for the Magic with seven, with <span>Anthony Davis</span>' eight leading all scorers as the Magic led 29-21 after one period of action.</p>
<p>After a strong first quarter, things began crumbling for the Magic. With their bench in for a good portion of the quarter, they were unable to get any consistent production offensively, turning the ball over on numerous possessions, leading to easy buckets for the visiting Pelicans. New Orleans feasted on the Magic's mistakes defensively, getting to the line 20 times in the quarter, making 16 of them. Additionally, the Pelicans shot a blistering 10-of-17, compared to the Magic's woeful 7-of-19 from the field, a number that would allow the Pelicans to storm back and a take a 58-48 lead at the half. Davis led all scorers with 20 points and five rebounds at the half, with Harris' 11 leading the Magic at the half.</p>
<p>Out of the halftime break, the Magic's starters showed the solid energy level that helped them jump out in the first quarter. Orlando was able to wreck havoc in the Pelicans passing lanes, forcing them into eight turnovers in the quarter, one more than they had the entire first half. The Magic's defense was able to hold the Pelicans to 3-of-14 shooting, but unable to stop sending them to the line 14 more times in the quarter.</p>
<p>Down heading into the fourth, the Magic's offense began coming to life. Behind hot shooting from beyond the arc from <span>Mario Hezonja</span> and <span>Channing Frye</span>, the Magic took the lead, only to see the Pelicans come back and tie it up at 93. However, the Magic answered with a 6-to-0 run to take control of the game late. A pair of three-pointers from <span>Nate Robinson</span> tied the game up with 46 seconds remaining.</p>
<p>After Robinson's pair of three's, the Magic were able to get the ball in to <span>Nikola Vucevic</span>, who was subsequently fouled. Vucevic, who had a strong game overall, knocked down the pair to give the Magic a lead with just over 43 seconds remaining. Following a turnover by Robinson, Vucevic was once again fouled, this time going up for a dunk attempt. Vucevic missed the pair, and proceeded to foul Davis on the next trip down, sending him to the line with a chance to tie it up. Davis made the pair, tying the game up with 12 seconds remaining. Out of the timeout, Vucevic missed a fadeaway as time expired, sending it into overtime.</p>
<p>Kicking off the extra period, Robinson got the Pelicans out to a quick lead. After a few misses from both sides, Vucevic tied it back up with a nifty lefty layup around Davis' outstretched arm. Another layup from Vucevic, and a three from <span>Evan Fournier</span> put the Magic up five with 49 seconds left. After Davis made a pair of free throws, Channing Frye turned the ball over, giving the Pelicans another life. Following a Pelicans timeout, Dante Cunningham missed a runner, locking up the Magic's win.</p>
<p>Six Magic men finished in double figures, led by Vucevic's 24 points and 14 rebounds. <span>Mario Hezonja</span> found his shooting stroke, finishing with 19, with Harris capping off his night with 18. Fournier added 11, while Victor Oladipo finished with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists. Channing Frye rounded out the group, finishing with 10.</p>
<p>Davis led all scorers, finishing with a monster 33 point, 16 rebound performance. Robinson added 16, with <span>Eric Gordon</span> finishing with 14. Jrue Holliday rounded out the group, finishing with 12.</p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2015/10/21/9588926/Orlando-Magic-vs-New-Orleans-Pelicans-110-105Zach Oliver2015-10-21T17:00:01-04:002015-10-21T17:00:01-04:00Magic vs. Pelicans GameThread
<figure>
<img alt="Anthony Davis" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/m3i2Rr4a3uHwQQW6hnCs7oscV5I=/0x1060:2940x3020/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47483305/usa-today-8867001.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anthony Davis | Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A victory Wednesday would assure Orlando of a winning preseason record.</p> <p>Following a successful trip to Brazil, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> continue their exhibition campaign Wednesday as they return to Amway Center to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">New Orleans Pelicans</a>.</p>
<div class="read-more"> <strong>Magic season preview</strong>: <a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2015/10/1/9423237/orlando-magic-nba-season-preview-2016-scott-skiles-coach-victor-oladipo" target="new">Playoffs or bust for Skiles' crew</a> </div>
<p>Game time is 7:00 PM on ESPN 580 AM in the Orlando market.</p>
<p>Please post your pre- and in-game comments in this GameThread.</p>
<p><strong>Do not <u>ask for</u>, <u>mention</u>, or <u>link to</u> any sites or services that provide video streams for this game</strong>. Doing so will result in a disciplinary action.</p>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr> <th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">2015/2016 NBA Preseason</th> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/incurock31/3QC/Logos%20non-gifs/NOP__zpsb4decb0f.jpg" width="120" height="80" alt="New Orleans Pelicans main logo"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/incurock31/3QC/Logos%20non-gifs/ORL__zps606f5ea5.jpg" width="120" height="80" alt="Orlando Magic main logo"></center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center>2-3 (2-1 road)<br>Lost 2</center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center>4-2 (1-1 home)<br>Won 2</center></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>October 21st, 2015</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Amway Center</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>7:00 PM</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>580 AM</strong></td> </tr> <tr><th height="20" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"></th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p></p>
<div class="ff-promo-snippet"> <h3>Keep up with all of our Magic coverage</h3> <div class="item"> <em class="ss-social">Twitter</em><a class="twitter" target="new" href="https://twitter.com/oppmagicblog">Follow on Twitter</a> </div> <div class="item"> <em class="ss-social">Facebook</em><a class="facebook" target="new" href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost">Like on Facebook</a> </div> <div class="item"> <em class="ss-icon">check</em><a class="more-content" target="new" href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=snippet">Check out all of our Magic content</a> </div> </div>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2015/10/21/9583950/magic-vs-pelicans-orlando-aims-to-continue-exhibition-successEvan Dunlap