The Orlando Magic continued their impressive run, clinching their sixth consecutive victory with a hard-fought 100-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Franz Wagner delivered a near triple-double, racking up 20 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks, showcasing his all-around brilliance. The win marked Orlando’s second triumph over Brooklyn in just three days, solidifying their dominance in this season series.
Goga Bitadze stepped up with a double-double, contributing 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16 points. Wendell Carter Jr. also played a pivotal role with 14 points and seven rebounds. Despite committing a season-high 22 turnovers, the Magic secured their 12th win in their last 13 games, underlining their resilience and growing defensive identity.
Brooklyn was led by Cam Johnson, who poured in 26 points, and Dennis Schroder, who added 20 points and seven assists. Despite their efforts, the Nets struggled to maintain momentum, especially in the second half, allowing the Magic to control the pace and dominate the boards.
The game remained tightly contested through the first two quarters, with 14 lead changes and 11 ties. However, Orlando seized control in the third quarter, outscoring Brooklyn 25-19. Even after losing Jalen Suggs to foul trouble early in the second half, the Magic managed a 17-6 run, building a 69-59 lead, their largest of the night.
Brooklyn refused to back down. The Nets stormed into the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run, led by Schroder’s aggressive playmaking. His three-point play gave Brooklyn a 76-75 edge with 10:45 remaining, shifting momentum momentarily in their favor.
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Yet, Orlando’s defense rose to the occasion. The Magic tightened their grip, forcing six turnovers in the final quarter and limiting Brooklyn to just nine points over the last 7:01. This defensive clampdown proved decisive, as Orlando outscored the Nets 17-9 in that stretch, turning the tide permanently.
One key factor in Orlando’s victory was their dominance in the paint. With Wagner and Bitadze leveraging their size, the Magic outscored the Nets 54-38 inside and held a commanding 52-33 rebounding advantage. Brooklyn simply couldn’t match Orlando’s physicality, a theme that has defined the Magic’s recent success.
The Magic’s defense, ranked as the league’s best, also stifled Brooklyn’s perimeter shooting. The Nets, known for their prowess from beyond the arc, were held to just 8-of-31 shooting from deep, a mere 25.8%. This defensive effort highlighted Orlando’s ability to adapt and neutralize one of the NBA’s top three-point offenses.
For Brooklyn, the loss dropped them to 3-11 against Eastern Conference opponents, a worrying trend as they continue to search for consistency. The back-to-back losses against Orlando exposed their struggles against physical, defensively disciplined teams.
Looking ahead, Orlando will face another significant test when they visit the New York Knicks on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Brooklyn aims to bounce back as they head to Chicago to take on the Bulls on Monday, hoping to snap their losing streak and regain confidence.
With their current form, the Magic are not just a hot team—they’re a serious contender in the Eastern Conference, and Sunday’s win over Brooklyn further cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with.
