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Orlando Magic Grades: Brooklyn Nets 98, Orlando Magic 95

By Philip Rossman-Reich

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 1, 2018: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 1, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 1, 2018: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 1, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic struggled to execute down the stretch and suffered a frustrating and disappointing loss to the Brooklyn Nets to open 2018.

The Orlando Magic again were clinging to the lead. Fate giving them another chance to make good late in the game and pick up the win. A lesson they could have learned from Saturday and grown from for the new year Monday.

Consider this a lesson lost for the Magic. Even with marginal improvements, their late-game execution was found wanting and they gave up a small lead in the final two minutes to the Brooklyn Nets, giving up fouls and failing to execute in the half court.

Down by one point, the Magic struggled to get into their sets and gave the ball to Evan Fournier at the top of the key. He stared down Allen Crabbe for a moment and pulled up for a contested 3-pointer. It fell no good and the team was forced to foul.

The Magic could not get a good look, lacking any other shooter on the floor following two free throw makes from the Nets. And the result was the same. More frustration following a 98-95 loss to Brooklyn at the Barclays Center on Monday.

Orlando gave up its lead thanks to late-game fouling as the team struggled to handle Brooklyn’s smaller lineups. The Magic struggled to keep the lead with an offense that seemed to bog down. The Nets clamped down defensively and made everything hard for the Magic throughout the game.

Still, despite struggling to shoot all game, the Magic had the lead and control for much of the game. Their defense was strong themselves and they were able to grind out a fair shot at victory.

But that was not enough. Orlando’s 36.4 percent shooting and terrible 6-for-31 shooting from beyond the arc proved too much to overcome. The Magic could not get the shots to fall that the Nets eventually did.

Brooklyn used some timely 3-pointers to erase Orlando’s largest lead at eight points and keep the pressure on. The Nets, shooting 43.9 percent, made the shots when it mattered. And that is what matters. Their small lineup gave the Magic problems — even when the Magic went to Aaron Gordon at center.

Ultimately, Orlando did not execute enough to win the game.

D. Some nights it is not your night. And Monday night was not <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER

C. Orlando Magic. BISMACK BIYOMBO. B+. The Orlando Magic had to rely heavily on their defense to keep them in the game with the offense struggling so much to stay in the game. That 103.0 defensive rating is not the greatest mark in the world, but it is better than the team’s average and gave the Magic every chance to win the game. Much of that credit should go to <a href=

<a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. B

G/F. Orlando Magic. JONATHON SIMMONS. C-. <a href=

B. The Brooklyn Nets are a team that like to get out on the run and shoot a ton of 3-pointers. Only the <a href=. 14-23. 11th East. BROOKLYN NETS

Next: 2018 will be a year of change for the Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic return home to take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at the Amway Center.