Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 102, Brooklyn Nets 89
The Orlando Magic finally got a few breaks and finally executed down the stretch to down the Brooklyn Nets for their second straight win.
89. 147. 102. 38. Final
The Orlando Magic have needed a break late in games — especially against the Brooklyn Nets. Or, better, they needed a break they could take advantage of and get over the hump with their late-game foibles against this franchise in particular.
The best teams make their breaks. But when a mistake comes your way, you take advantage of it.
So as Joe Harris went sprawling, running into his own teammate and Evan Fournier rounded the corner, he took a beat, perhaps a bit surprised to be so open. He took his time and drained a 3-pointer. Something much needed for a player struggling to do things he has relied on for most of his career.
That proved to be a big play. The kind of play the Magic have given up themselves or squandered at other times. Finally, that confidence was back.
And the Magic never let it go, riding All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to the end with some key shots and key moments. Saying the Magic are surging is a bit much after a two-game win streak, but it is hard not to be impressed with these pair of wins. The latest an 102-89 victory over Brooklyn at the Amway Center on Saturday.
The Magic shot just 43.6 percent from the floor and 10 for 27 from beyond the arc. It was hardly an offensive showing worth writing home about. That is not usually a formula to defeat the Nets.
But Orlando was sharp defensively most of the night. The only times Brooklyn got itself going offensive was when Orlando stopped moving the ball in the second quarter and Brooklyn could get out in transition.
The Magic tightened that up in the second half and kept the attack going aggressively to keep the Nets from the easy shots they were accustomed to. Brooklyn shot 36.3 percent and 10 for 38 from beyond the arc.
The Magic never let them find a rhythm and were much better keeping D’Angelo Russell and the other guards out of the lane. Brooklyn had 18 turnovers — five from Russell — and that gummed up the team’s offense.
Orlando needed a game where its defense led the way. That is the kind of groove and identity that will be necessary to keep winning. The Magic played a strong game throughout and had control for much of the game. Putting the finishing touches on the Nets for a change.
C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. A-. <a href=
<a href=. F. Orlando Magic. JONATHAN ISAAC. A
G/F. Orlando Magic. WESLEY IWUNDU. B+. The energy for the Orlando Magic continued with <a href=
C+. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON
C. The Brooklyn Nets typically play at a fast pace, hoisting up a lot of 3-pointers and beating even set defenses with their pick and roll game. The Orlando Magic have fallen victim to that plenty of times. The one thing they had not seen? The Nets going cold. That happens with shooting teams.<p>Brooklyn was cold throughout the game and could not get to the line or into the paint consistently. The Nets had only 36 points in the paint and the 3-point shooting was not loosening things up on the inside. The Magic did a good job protecting the lane and challenging to the perimeter.</p><p>This started to reveal their defensive weaknesses. Eventually, it was that which fell apart for Brooklyn and Orlando was able to zoom ahead.</p>. 28-26. 6th East. BROOKLYN NETS
Next. Steve Clifford making positive impact on Orlando Magic. dark
The Orlando Magic next head to Oklahoma City to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. They are now three games behind the Miami Heat for the final spot in the Playoffs.