Wagner, Anthony lead Magic over Pelicans 123-110
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 15: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against Zeke Nnaji #22 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 15, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Franz Wagner had 30 points and nine assists, Cole Anthony scored 22 off the bench and the Orlando Magic beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-110 on Friday night.
CJ McCollum led New Orleans with 23 points. Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Trey Murphy III added 18 points for the injury-riddled Pelicans, who lost for the eighth time in 11 games.
The Magic shot 52% overall and made 15 of 30 attempts from 3-point range.
A three-point play by Jalen Suggs with 9:17 remaining broke a 95-all tie and launched a 12-2 run that put Orlando ahead for good. Bol Bol, who finished with 12 points and five rebounds, followed with a tricky drive through the lane that he finished with a dunk.
Wagner had 21 points and six assists in the first half.
After falling behind by 14 early, the Magic made their first six shots of the second quarter, including 3-pointers by Wagner, Mo Bamba and Anthony, to get back in it.
Herbert Jones, who started for New Orleans after missing the previous four games with a lower back bruise, scored the Pelicans’ final five points of the half, leaving them with a 60-56 lead.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: Jones fouled out with 4:28 left. He scored 10 points in 19 minutes. ... F Naji Marshall sat out with a sore right big toe after playing at least 31 minutes in eight straight games. ... F Zion Williamson missed his ninth consecutive game with a strained right hamstring.
Magic: F Jonathan Isaac was recalled from the G League after playing three games with the Lakeland Magic, but was not activated. Isaac has not played in an NBA game since tearing his left ACL in August 2020. There are no specific plans for activating him.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Play at Miami on Sunday.
Magic: Play at Washington on Saturday night.