Magic shake off skid, lead start to finish vs. Nets

Field Level Media|published: Wed 13th March, 21:45 2024

Feb 27, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) goes to the basket against Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) during the second half at Amway Center. credits: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Paolo Banchero scored 21 points as the Orlando Magic bounced back from a pair of disappointing losses and recorded a wire-to-wire 114-106 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

The Magic avoided their three-game losing streak since Jan. 9-13. Orlando also turned in a more cohesive showing than in a 98-74 loss to the host New York Knicks on Friday and a 111-97 home loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, when the Magic were dominated in the second half.

Banchero shook off shooting a combined 15-for-40 in the two losses and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. He also handed out nine assists and made 8 of 9 free throws.

Wendell Carter Jr. added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Magic, who shot 51.9 percent and beat the Nets for the second time in two weeks. Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner contributed 14 points apiece for Orlando.

The Nets fell to 1-3 on a six-game road trip and dropped to 5-7 under interim coach Kevin Ollie.

Cam Thomas paced the Nets with 21 points and eight rebounds, and Mikal Bridges added 17 points. Dennis Schroder and Cameron Johnson finished with 13 apiece for Brooklyn, which shot 46.9 percent overall but 26.9 percent (7-for-26) from behind the arc.

Suggs scored 11 points as the Magic shot 66.7 percent to hold a 33-18 lead after the opening quarter. A basket by Gary Harris pushed Orlando's lead to 56-38 with 4:50 remaining in the second, and the Magic settled for a 61-54 lead at halftime after allowing Brooklyn a 16-5 run.

The Nets drew within 69-61 on Nic Claxton's dunk with 7:56 left in the third, but the center also drew a technical for hitting Suggs in the face with his right elbow after finishing the play. Orlando opened a 90-72 lead on a basket by Markelle Fultz with 2:57 remaining in the third and took a 93-77 lead into the fourth.

Bridges hit a layup after Claxton blocked Cole Anthony's dunk attempt to get the deficit down to 98-90 with 7:41 left. A 3-pointer by Bridges got the Nets within 109-98 with 3:32 to go, but Suggs hit a trey on the next possession to essentially clinch the win.

—Field Level Media