Orlando, FL— In their final matchup of the season the Orlando Magic have tied the season series with the Brooklyn Nets two games a piece, and they get back into the win column after a two-game losing skid winning tonight 114-106.
The last time these two teams faced one another it was a dominating victory for the Magic where they limited both Mikal Bridges (4) and the Nets (81) to their season-low in points. Jalen Suggs was big in the win tonight as he got it going early for the Magic as he connected on three triples in the first period alone. Tonight was no different as the Magic were in control of the game all evening long and took care of business in front of the home crowd.
“We have to make sure we don’t have turnovers, get back in transition, be efficient on the offensive end, making sure we’re not just playing iso basketball because they’re one of the top defensive teams in the league, and they’re physical.” Brooklyn Nets Interim Head Coach Kevin Ollie on how he wanted his group to come to set the tone early on. “So we wanna use our physicality on the defensive end, but we wanna use our physicality on the offensive end.”
That was all for not as Orlando’s defense was stifling, limiting the Nets to just 16 points, 7-22 shooting from the field, and 0-9 from behind the arch in the first period alone. After Orlando had an 18-point lead in the first half Brooklyn would make it interesting late in the second quarter rallying with a few buckets by Dennis Smith Jr, and they cut the deficit to seven going into the halftime locker room as the Magic led 61-54.
Orlando came out of the gates strong in the third period and went up by as much as 19 points, led by Markelle Fultz who nailed a few mid-range jumpers, and the defensive prowess of Jonathan Issac. Franz Wagner had a beautiful drive and kick to Gary Harris in the right corner for three, and you saw Paolo Banchero hit a couple of tough baskets and you could see his confidence being infectious towards the rest of his teammates.
Gary Harris continues to make an impact on this team, on both ends of the floor, and Head Coach Jamahl Mosley was pleased with his effort tonight. “Every time he steps in the ball game, you just know what you know, what you’re gonna get. His ability to pick up full court, change the way they defend, fights over screens, extremely physical—And then he spaces the floor, and guys trust him, when they pass it to him, to step in and make his shot.”
The Magic, after leading 93-77 going into the fourth quarter, closed out the Nets in the final period of play and put together an all-around effort tonight. All five of Orlando’s starters scored in double figures tonight but Paolo Banchero was phenomenal this evening as he registered 21 points, and nine assists, and he recorded the first perfect shooting night from the field in his career going 6-6 from the field. Orlando as a team shot a blistering 40-77 (51.9%) from the field, 14-32 (43.8%) from deep, and they dished out 29 assists.
“I think being at home, there’s a benefit to that so much. Not just being in our beds, and at our own facility, and getting practice time at a regular routine.” Coach Mosley on the team’s upcoming home stretch. “But then you also talk about the fans. The energy that’s provided in this building, that they bring, night in and night out, does something to our group that, you know, we ultimately hang our hats on a lot of nights.”
Orlando has now won their 38th game of the season, improving to 38-28 on their overall record, and will be looking to close out their final 16 games on the season on a hot streak. Orlando will have a quick one-game road trip out to Toronto on Friday evening before returning home on Sunday to begin an eight-game homestand.
