Contending Magic rally from 15-point deficit, upend Pelicans

Desmond Bane scored 27 points as the Orlando Magic overturned a 15-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the host New Orleans Pelicans 112-108 on Sunday.

Paolo Banchero paired 23 points with 16 rebounds for the Magic (42-36), who seized control after edging in front midway through the fourth quarter.

Orlando has won three of its last four and sits ninth in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the Charlotte Hornets and one game ahead of the Miami Heat, with four games remaining.

Saddiq Bey had 32 for the Pelicans (25-54), who succumbed to their eighth straight defeat, losing their way offensively down the stretch through turnovers and lack of ball movement, after they had spent much of the night in a strong position.

Jeremiah Fears added 19 points, Yves Missi posted 18 and Zion Williamson contributed 17 for New Orleans.

Orlando jumped ahead 13-6, fell behind 27-19 on a Missi-inspired 21-6 Pelicans surge, then went back ahead 29-28 after finishing the opening period with a 9-1 rush.

The Magic moved ahead 45-39 midway through the second frame before going cold on offense, New Orleans taking control with a 13-1 response.

The Pelicans continued to control the quarter and led 60-52 at halftime.

Orlando shot just 7 of 25 from the floor for the period and 2 of 20 from 3-point range at the half.

New Orleans stormed out of the blocks after the long break, streaking ahead 72-57, before the Magic rallied.

Banchero's layup with 5.1 seconds left in the third slashed the deficit to 86-81, before a pair of Williamson free throws with 0.6 ticks on the clock made it 88-81 with one quarter to play.

After Missi's dunk had the Pelicans out 96-88, Orlando called a timeout and scored the next 10 points to clinch the lead on a Jalen Suggs trey for the first time since the second frame.

Jamal Cain missed a dunk attempt then, Bey buried a three to put New Orleans back in front, before Bane responded with a 3-pointer to give the Magic the lead back.