Orlando has an excuse for its recent slump, as Paolo Banchero has been sidelined (and will likely remain so until at least Thanksgiving). New Orleans has injury excuses, too (Zion has missed three games and questionable tonight with hamstring; CJ McCollum out for at least another week), but the Pelicans have also been rather sloppy in the early going, reflected in very poor defensive numbers. Note, too, in seven of nine games, Pels scorelines have exceeded the 211 total, while the Magic looked like it might be adjusting (if just a bit) to no Banchero in midweek at Indiana, as Franz Wagner scored 28 in the combative 118-111 loss to the Pacers. Play Pelicans-Magic Over

The Magic are finally back home after an 0-5 road trip. They are 2-0 at home this season and went 29-12 there last season, compared to 18-23 on the road. While not having Paolo Banchero (oblique) is huge, the Pelicans will play this game without at least Dejounte Murray (hand), C.J. McCollum (thigh), Herbert Jones (shoulder) and Jordan Hawkins (back). The Pelicans are 3-6 with all of their losses coming by at least nine points. They just don’t have enough healthy key players to keep this game close.