New Orleans Pelicans Grades: Magic run over the Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans continued to struggle away from the Smoothie King Center on Monday night as the Orlando Magic easily beat the Pelicans.

Following a path the team has taken before, the New Orleans Pelicans failed to capitalize on the momentum gained from a big win against Houston on Saturday night by getting trounced in Orlando by the Magic. The Magic jumped out to an early lead on the backs of Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic.

The Pelicans were able to fight back and keep the game competitive in the first half, but that was not the case in the second half. The offense sputtered after Anthony Davis left with a groin injury, and the Magic were able to take control of the game. Alvin Gentry and company had no answer for Vucevic, and his 28 points helped the Magic coast to victory.

38. 89. 69. Final. 104

New Orleans Pelicans. TYREKE EVANS. B+. <a href=. PG/SG/SF

F. It’s been said over and over again: when <a href=. SG. New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC GORDON

New Orleans Pelicans. ALONZO GEE. F. <a href=. SF/PG/SG

A. First off, ouch. Anthony Davis took a <em>hard </em>shot to the groin while effectively defending a layup by <a href=. PF/C. New Orleans Pelicans. ANTHONY DAVIS

C-. After his best game of the year against Houston, <a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK

F. The Pelicans need <a href=. PF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON

New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY. B-. <a href=. PG/SG

<a href=. PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. NORRIS COLE. B

B-. <a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. DANTE CUNNINGHAM

<a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. KENDRICK PERKINS. C+

C. New Orleans Pelicans. ALEXIS AJINCA. B. <a href=

Next: Christmas gifts for the Pelicans

Other Obserations:

Alvin Gentry seems to be done with it all. After a rough start to the second half, Gentry responded by benching the entire starting lineup. While it probably won’t win the Pelicans many games, it was nice to see Gentry hold the team accountable for their terrible play.
The Pelicans allowed Vucevic to work in isolation all night without bringing a help defender. He is a dynamo in the post, and the Pelicans’ bigs had absolutely no chance of slowing him down.
Evan Fournier scorched the Pelicans yet again by scoring 20 points. The trend of opposing guards having their way with the Pelicans continues.
Hopefully Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon have no ill effects as a result of their strange contact injuries.

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