Magic snap 5-game losing streak with 115-88 rout of Pelicans

ORLANDO, Fla. — There’s something about home-cooking.

On a night when both sides were missing key starters due to injuries, the Magic led the entire game in their 115-88 victory over the visiting Pelicans at Kia Center on Friday night.

More importantly, coach Jamahl Mosley's squad snapped a five-game losing streak behind a game-high 27 points from Franz Wagner and 56 points from its bench.

Without Paolo Banchero (torn right abdominal muscle) and Wendell Carter Jr. (left foot plantar fasciitis), the Magic held an opponent to under 100 points for the first time since opening night in Miami on Oct. 23.

Even as the Pelicans (3-7) cut the deficit to single digits multiple times in the third quarter, Orlando found a way to win at home, where it’s 3-0 this season.

The Magic (4-6) will remain at Kia Center for Sunday’s game against the Wizards (2-4).

Starting 5

Mosley stuck with the same starting five for the third consecutive contest: Jalen Suggs (7 points), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (7), Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze.

The Magic coach had put an emphasis on throwing the first punch and his team did that Friday. Orlando started with a 22-8 lead powered by five steals, including two from Caldwell-Pope.

Orlando’s 37 points were a new season high for an opening frame.

Wagner attacked the paint early and often before totaling 17 points in the first quarter. Friday’s contest was his third in a row with 20-plus points.

Second unit

Searching for more points from his reserves, Mosley only used four players off the bench in the first three quarters: Anthony Black, Gary Harris, Jonathan Isaac and Moe Wagner.

The group delivered when the Magic’s bench outscored New Orleans’ reserves 56-18.

Isaac totaled an efficient 10 points (4 of 4) before the break. He exited halfway through the game and did not return due to right hamstring tightness.

Black started slow but ended with 11 points and three assists off the bench and provided critical scoring early in the fourth quarter.

Cole Anthony became the fifth player off the bench when he started the fourth quarter. He made the most out of his time on the court (all fourth-quarter 12 minutes) because of hustle plays: eight points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Rookie watch

Da Silva made his fourth start in a row and continued to cut to the basket with success.

He scored all seven of his points in the first quarter before playing 27 minutes with three rebounds and an assist.

Injury updates

While the Magic were without Banchero and Carter, New Orleans was even more short-handed.

The Pelicans were without Zion Williamson (left hamstring tightness), Trey Murphy III (right hamstring strain), Dejounte Murray (left hand fracture), Jordan Hawkins (low back tightness), Herb Jones (right shoulder strain) and CJ McCollum (right adductor strain) against Orlando.

Mosley said at shootaround Friday that Carter was able to get on an exercise bike to help remain conditioned as he missed his third straight contest with a foot injury.