In a game without any stakes, between a team from New Orleans already on vacation who had put its major players to rest (Zion Williamson, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Derrick Favors, E’Twaun Moore and JJ Redick) and an Orlando team which also had to do without Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Terrence Ross, Michael Carter-Williams and of course Jonathan Isaac, it was the Magic who won (133-127) to finish their regular season on a good note.
Worn by Nikola Vucevic (23 points in 26 minutes), and DJ Augustin off the bench (22 points and 6 assists in 22 minutes), the Floridians scored up to 22 points in the third quarter, before lowering the foot.
The ideal opportunity for Alvin Gentry’s usual replacements to stand out, like the 31 points and 5 assists from Frank Jackson, the 29 points and 7 assists from Nickeil Alexander-Walker or even the 23 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists from Josh Hart, to put pressure on Orlando until the end.
Finally, Steve Clifford’s men managed to win, to end a five-game losing streak in the “bubble”.
The coach also appreciated the energy displayed by his team, while the first round against the Bucks will begin from Tuesday. And that it will be necessary to display a completely different face, hoping to recover some wounded …
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