Various New Orleans players and coaches sported navy blue “Not On Herb” T-shirts and hoodies during Wednesday’s shootaround – including head coach Willie Green – continuing efforts to promote Herb Jones’ candidacy to be named NBA First-Team All-Defense. Asked for his reaction to the gear, the always understated Jones said, smiling, “It’s cool. I thought it was a little bit too much. But I’m happy my teammates and the entire organization is pushing (for) first-team defense.”
Speaking of defense, Wednesday’s matchup between Orlando and New Orleans pits the NBA’s second- and sixth-best defensive squads, respectively. In a March 21 game that was a bit higher-scoring than one might expect given the stinginess of these teams, the Magic earned a 121-106 victory, shooting 55 percent from the field. The Pelicans actually also shot well (54 percent) that night, but lost Brandon Ingram (left knee bone contusion) to injury. Ingram has missed the last six games as a result, leaving New Orleans without its second-leading scorer and top assister. The Pelicans are coming off a Monday loss vs. Phoenix in which their offense didn’t kick into gear until the second half, unable to overcome a 27-point deficit.
Asked about Orlando’s elite defense this morning, Jones said, “(The Magic have) a lot of guys with like size, which enables them to switch a lot of stuff. Which we all know keeps the ball out of the paint. We have to find ways to get in the paint and make the defense collapse.”
Herb Jones on Orlando Magic defense, Larry Nance Jr. | Pelicans vs. Magic Shootaround 4/3/24
Other notes from shootaround:
Rookie guard Jordan Hawkins on how the Pelicans can try to improve offensively without Ingram and Jose Alvarado (right oblique strain): “Continue spacing. Use the shooters we have. Trey (Murphy), myself, Herb. We trust Zion (Williamson) to make the pass. We just have to knock down shots to make it easier for him.” …
Hawkins on what the Pelicans have come to expect from opposing defenses facing Williamson: “They’re always going to clog the paint and have five guys there. That’s what it takes to stop him.” …
New Orleans would clinch no worse than a play-in spot with a victory Wednesday. The 11th-place Rockets (38-37) can finish no better than 45-37, meaning a 46th New Orleans win ensures that the Pelicans place in the top 10 of the West standings. Although NBA postseason entry has become easier since the 2021 implementation of a play-in tournament (10 teams get in per conference, instead of eight), this would be the first time in franchise history that New Orleans has advanced beyond Game 82 in three consecutive years.
Jordan Hawkins on spacing in loss to Suns | Pelicans vs. Magic Shootaround 4/3/24
Orlando Scouting Report
Offensive efficiency rank: 23 (112.8)
Defensive efficiency rank: 2 (110.4)
Net rating rank: 11 (+2.4)
Streak: Won 2
Go-to guy: Second-year power forward Paolo Banchero made his first All-Star appearance in February, continuing to emerge as one of the NBA’s premier young players and the foundation piece of Orlando’s burgeoning roster. The Seattle native has registered 40-plus points twice this season (though both of those games were losses). The Magic are 11-4 this season when Banchero tallies at least 28 points.
On the rise: Similar to multiple New Orleans young players, third-year Orlando guard Jalen Suggs has worked tirelessly on his perimeter shot and seen outstanding results. The dogged defender is in the conversation for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, partly by increasing his three-point percentage from 21 percent as a rookie (and 33 percent last season) to 40 percent on 5.2 attempts per game in 2023-24.
Previous Game Starting Lineups
ORLANDO (44-31, 4TH IN EAST)
Monday win vs. Portland
Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Notes: This combination has gone 12-1 this season, with its only defeat coming Friday vs. the LA Clippers by a 100-97 count. Jamahl Mosley has used 16 different starting lineups. … The Magic are in a tie with New York (44-31) for fourth place, but have clinched the tiebreaker based on season series (3-1).
NEW ORLEANS (45-30, 6TH IN WEST)
Monday loss vs. Phoenix
CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
Notes: This combination has gone 4-4. Green has used 15 different starting lineups. … The Pelicans are in a tie with Dallas (45-30) for fifth place, but the Mavericks own the temporary tiebreaker based on division record (Mavericks 10-5, Pelicans 9-6, with one division game remaining for each team).
FanDuel Keys to the Game
COMPETE FROM THREE
New Orleans makes slightly more three-pointers per game (12.2, 20th) than Orlando (11.1, 29th) this season, but you wouldn’t have known that from the Magic’s victory two weeks ago over the Pelicans. The hosts led 14-6 in successful treys.
BENCHES IN THE BLENDER
New Orleans is shorthanded rotation-wise but will try to get the upper hand in second-unit production Wednesday vs. a quality Orlando bench. The Pelicans’ reserves still rank second in the NBA in plus-minus (+2.5), while the Magic’s subs are fourth in scoring (41.7 ppg).
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Wednesday marks the second head-to-head meeting in the pros for Duke No. 1 overall picks Williamson and Banchero. Both were highly productive March 21, with Banchero registering his second career triple-double (20-10-11) and Williamson posting 20 points and seven rebounds.