Terrence Ross, Magic outlast Pelicans in OT

[April 02, 2021]    Terrence Ross scored 19 points and made a tiebreaking jumper late in overtime as the visiting Orlando Magic held off the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 115-110 on Thursday night.

New Orleans Pelicans forward James Johnson (16) dribbles against Orlando Magic center Khem Birch (24) during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Wendell Carter Jr. added 21 points and 12 rebounds, Chasson Randle scored 15 points, Dwayne Bacon had 14, James Ennis III had 13 and Mo Bamba 11 as the Magic won their second straight after losing 13 of 15 before that.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 31 points to lead New Orleans. James Johnson, who started in his Pelicans debut after being acquired in a trade with Dallas last week, scored 17 points, and Josh Hart had 14 points and matched a career-high with 17 rebounds. Eric Bledsoe scored 14 points and Jaxson Hayes 10 for New Orleans, which lost for just the second time in six games.

The Pelicans played without three injured starters. Zion Williamson (thumb) and Brandon Ingram (toe) had new injuries, and Lonzo Ball missed his sixth straight game because of a strained hip flexor.

The Pelicans led for most of the overtime, but Chuma Okeke's steal and dunk tied the score and Ross' jumper gave the Magic a 111-109 lead with 27.5 seconds left.

Alexander-Walker was fouled with 22 seconds left but made just one of two free throws. Carter made two free throws with 16.9 seconds left and Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr. missed shots before Carter made two more free throws.

A 3-pointer by Johnson started a 7-0 Pelicans run to start the third quarter that tied the score at 52.

Orlando opened an eight-point lead before New Orleans used a 17-4 run to take a 76-71 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The run continued as Hayes' basket started the fourth-quarter scoring, but the Magic answered with 14 straight points to take an 85-78 lead.

Hart's dunk ended the run and a 10-0 run gave the Pelicans a 94-92 lead.

Ross' 3-pointer put Orlando back on top and the Magic took a five-point lead with 1:37 left.

Alexander-Walker hit a short jumper and a 3-pointer to tie the score with 44.7 seconds left to force overtime.

--Field Level Media

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.