Orlando Magic Grades: Brooklyn Nets 114, Orlando Magic 110

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Orlando Magic came inches away from topping the Brooklyn Nets as Nikola Vucevic’s tip-in late was called off for basket interference.

Nikola Vucevic had a look of disgusted resignation on his face. All he could do was stare up at the replay screens like the rest of the world as the officials in the Barclays Center and replay officials in Secaucus, N.J. decided his fate. He probably already knew.

The Orlando Magic had rallied from a five-point deficit in the final minute of the game and gave themselves a chance to win in a sloppy finish to the game. They were within one possession and had their fingertips on the game-tying basket.

Evan Fournier got the switch he and the Magic wanted getting Treveon Graham on Nikola Vucevic and Jarrett Allen guarding the ball handler. Evan Fournier attacked the basket and got to the rim, looking for redemption from Friday’s two-point loss where Fournier missed a layup in the exact same situation at the buzzer.

Fournier again missed but Vucevic had fought his way to the front of the rim. And the ball was falling off perfectly for him to tip it in and send the game to overtime.

The line between winning and losing is that fine. Vucevic lept just a split second early and touched the ball while just a hair of it was still above the cylinder. The officials correctly ruled it an offensive interference and the Magic’s hopes had sunk.

The Brooklyn Nets continued their late-game mastery with a 114-110 win over the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center on Wednesday.

Orlando again struggled down the stretch to make quality shots. The Magic entered the final moments tied but missed several shots down the stretch while the Nets got key baskets from DeMarre Carroll and Spencer Dinwiddie.

Orlando shot 42.7 percent from the floor but stayed in the game thanks to 28 free throw attempts. Brooklyn made only 10 of 32 3-point attempts, blunting some of the effects the team usually gets from the outside.

D’Angelo Russell still dropped 25 points to go with 10 assists and seven rebounds. Orlando’s defensive intensity waxed and waned throughout the game. Until midway through the third quarter, the Magic were struggling to meet the Nets physically. The intensity was not at the level it needed to be.

But Orlando kept Brooklyn within distance. The game never was out of reach. And at the end, the Magic used some desperate defensive plays to give themselves a chance at the end.

The chance to win literally was an inch away.

The Orlando Magic return home for another critical matchup with the Washington Wizards at the Amway Center on Friday. They are three games out of the final Playoff spot.