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Orlando Magic Grades: Brooklyn Nets 108, Orlando Magic 96

By Jacob Warfle

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 11: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 11: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic came out uninspired and never turned it around, losing 108-96 to the Brooklyn Nets in the second to last seeding game.

Final. 108. 147. 96. 38

The Orlando Magic coaching staff have not been shy about communicating what the team needs to improve on. They have their eye on the playoffs and getting the team ready to play and they have not seen that effort and focus needed to succeed against the daunting Milwaukee Bucks.

Steve Clifford said on multiple occasions the team needs to rebound the ball better, get to the free-throw line, cut down on turnovers and play with pace.

The team did none of these things well in Tuesday’s 108-96 loss to the seventh-seed Brooklyn Nets. In fact, Brooklyn played more of the type of game the Orlando coaching staff have been looking for.

The Nets outhustled the Magic, attempted more three-pointers, and had fewer turnovers. Orlando shot 38 percent from the field as a team and had 17 turnovers juxtaposed to only 12 assists.

As they have done in nearly all of the seeding games so far, the Magic got themselves into a hole early in the first quarter and never climbed back out of it. It cannot be overstated how consequential team energy and aggression is coming out of the gate.

Clifford’s biggest disappointment was that players who need the time to build habits and get ready for the playoffs did not do so in this game. The only positive they can take away was getting some conditioning.

It is important to note the Magic were without Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier, Michael Carter-Williams and Terrence Ross. This would normally be an excuse for this type of performance, but the Nets were obviously shorthanded as well, possibly even more so with four of their top six scorers inside the bubble sitting out.

Orlando missed some shots early and never truly seemed engaged in the game — even if the morning shootaround was spent going over some of Milwaukee’s sets rather than Brooklyn’s. Orlando played better in the second half, but never well enough to make a dent in the deficit.

This game was actually a small sample of the bigger story currently taking place. The Magic came into the bubble in prime position to steal the seventh seed from the Nets and avoid a match-up with the Bucks in the first round. As we covered extensively, we all expected the Magic to do so.

After a 2-0 start in the bubble, the Magic have dropped five games straight, with their effort being called into question almost every game.

On the flip side, the Nets now find themselves at 5-2 in seeding games and one of the feel-good stories so far. With a roster filled with recent signings or G-League call up’s, many Nets players have played their way onto an NBA roster for next season.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot tore things up in the first quarter for the Nets, finishing the game with 24 points. Tyler Johnson and Jeremiah Martin also got things going on the offensive end.

For the Magic, Markelle Fultz and Wesley Iwundu led the way, each with 18 points.

D. This was the type of game you would expect <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC

C. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. JAMES ENNIS

C+. <a href=. G. Orlando Magic. WESLEY IWUNDU

MARKELLE FULTZ. B-. <a href=. G. Orlando Magic

B+. The Brooklyn Nets are one of the surprise stories of the NBA’s return so far. They are now 5-2 in seeding games and seem to have a group of players all motivated by the same thing: proving themselves in the league.<p>This ragtag group love to get up-and-down and attempt threes — shooting 13 for 42 in this game. Even if they do not shoot a good percentage, they still shoot them, and sometimes that is enough to dictate the pace.</p><p>They also possess a group of nine or 10 players who are arguably interchangeable. In this game, they only played two players who were not guards — Rodions Kurucs and Lance Thomas. Everyone else is a decent ball-handler and is not afraid to shoot. This could create for some interesting games in the first round of playoffs versus the Toronto Raptors, especially once Caris LeVert and Jarret Allen return from injury.</p>. 35-36. 7th East. BROOKLYN NETS

Next. Orlando Magic aim to finish strong with Milwaukee Bucks in mind. dark

The Orlando Magic will wrap up the seeding games with a game versus the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, all in preparation for a first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs.