Nikola Vucevic drops 20 in return as Magic hand Pelicans 12th straight loss
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jonathan Isaac had 21 points and 10 rebounds and the Orlando Magic beat New Orleans 130-119 on Sunday, sending the Pelicans to their franchise-record 12th straight loss.
Orlando center Nikola Vucevic retured from a sprained ankle to score 20 points. He played 29 minutes in his first game since Nov. 20. The Magic snapped a three-game losing streak.
Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans with 29 points and eight assists. J.J. Redick added 23 points against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2006.
The Magic led 58-57 at halftime and pulled away with a 41-point third quarter. Isaac had 11 points in the quarter.
Orlando made a season-high 17 3s, shooting 50% from long range. The Magic shot 51.2% overall from the field and had just eight turnovers.
TIP-INS
Magic: D.J. Augustin had 17 points, and Even Fournier 16. On Saturday night, Augustin, a New Orleans native, became the first athlete in any sport to have his jersey retired at Brother Martin High School. Augustin, who wore No. 14, led the school to two Louisiana state championships and is the program’s career scoring leader. ...
Pelicans: Coach Alvin Gentry was ejected late in the third quarter after receiving two technical fouls for complaining about officiating. It was his first ejection of the season. ... Brandon Ingram added 21 points, but early foul trouble limited him to 27 minutes. … Guard Josh Hart scored 20 points. … Before the game, Gentry reiterated the team is being “overly cautious” with No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, who has yet to play this season due to a knee injury. “He’s still in the rehab stage of it. He’s doing a lot of stuff. No one is more eager to get back on the court than he is — trust me on that one."
UP NEXT
Magic: At Utah on Tuesday night.
Pelicans: Host Brooklyn on Tuesday night.
