The NBA’s seeding game finales will all start to take place over the next few days. On Thursday night, the New Orleans Pelicans will meet the Orlando Magic in the bubble for both team’s final seeding game. The Magic are locked into the eighth seed in the East, and the Pelicans are vying for a play-in game in the West.
Both teams head into Thursday’s game at 2-5 since the NBA’s return. The Magic are 32-40 overall, and the Pels are 30-41. They’re playing very similar basketball this season, but whether they have what it takes to make a deep playoff run is yet to be seen.
Another thing these two have in common is how banged up they are. The Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Jrue Holiday. That’s their top three scorers.
The Magic come in without Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier, two of their top three scorers. Tip-off is set for 9:05 ET.
Coming in Hurt
Without their entire frontline, the Pelicans will have to find new ways to make their last stand. Those ways will likely involve veteran scorer JJ Reddick and Lonzo Ball.
It wouldn’t hurt if Derrick Favors stepped up his game either, at both ends of the floor. Reddick and Ball will be their most prominent scorers without the other starters.
Reddick averages over 15 points per game while Ball puts up over 11 to go with a team-leading seven assists per game. It’s time for Ball to take off the kid gloves and step up and lead if his team wants any playoff shot.
Healthier
The Magic come in just a touch healthier than the Pels, but not by much. They could certainly use Gordon and Fournier, but with the eighth spot locked up, this is more of a pride game for the Magic. Don’t expect the Magic to lie down, but don’t expect them to get injured in a knock-down-drag-out style game either.
The Magic are going to need even more production out of Nikola Vucevic, and he already carries this team quite a bit. Vucevic is averaging 19.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. It’ll be a challenge to up the ante, but this young man is highly capable.
Pride Picks
Under normal circumstances, with healthy teams and the standings where they are, the Pelicans would likely get my pick.
The Pels are just too beat up to stand up to any runs the Magic make. Orlando comes in favored by 4 points, and that should be no problem. Vucevic steps it up, and the Magic win big, covering with ease. Good luck.
