Magic lock up Nets, 108-81

Field Level Media|published: Wed Feb 28 2024 02:55
Feb 27, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (20) during the first quarter at Amway Center. credits: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Franz Wagner scored 21 points and Moritz Wagner added 16 as the Orlando Magic held the visiting Brooklyn Nets to a season-low point total in a 108-81 win on Tuesday.

Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz scored 12 points apiece for Orlando, which led by as many as 33 and won for the fourth time in its past five games. Wendell Carter Jr. added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Brooklyn committed 20 turnovers and fell to 1-3 under interim coach Kevin Ollie. The Nets played without Cam Thomas (right ankle sprain) and Ben Simmons (lower back injury maintenance).

Dennis Schroder led Brooklyn with 15 points, while Trendon Watford added 14 and Nic Claxton had 10. The Nets trailed by 14 at intermission and scored a total of 37 points in the second half.

Paolo Banchero missed his second consecutive game (illness) for the Magic, who connected on 52.7 percent of their shots from the field and 9 of 25 (36 percent) from 3-point range.

Brooklyn was held to 38.8 percent shooting, including an 8-of-31 (25.8 percent) mark from beyond the arc. The Nets' past four losses have come by a combined 120 points.

Orlando led 33-25 after playing a turnover-free first quarter and shooting 10-for-13 from inside the arc.

Franz Wagner scored 13 of his 17 first-half points in the second quarter to help Orlando take a 58-44 lead into halftime. Schroder had 12 points before the break to lead the Nets.

The Magic stretched their lead to 78-51 after Carter's turnaround jumper capped a 20-7 run to open the second half. Orlando outscored Brooklyn 30-15 in the third quarter after shooting 63.2 percent from the floor.

Orlando held a commanding 88-59 advantage at the end of the third quarter and moved ahead 103-71 on Anthony Black's 3-pointer with 6:08 left in the game.

Brooklyn guard/forward Mikal Bridges was limited to four points on 2-of-14 shooting after scoring 42 points in a 129-101 win over Orlando on Dec. 2.

—Field Level Media

home