The Nets competed from begin to end Friday evening at Kia Heart, forcing a season-high 19 turnovers whereas committing simply seven. However their valiant effort fell quick within the remaining seconds, because the Nets misplaced to the Orlando Magic 105-98, dropping to 1-11 and 0-2 in NBA Cup East Group B.
Brooklyn has now dropped 4 straight since incomes its first win of the season on Nov. 5. Day’Ron Sharpe returned after a one-game absence, whereas the Magic have been with out All-Star Paolo Banchero.
The Nets got here out swinging in Orlando, delivering certainly one of their most full opening quarters of the season. Michael Porter Jr. set the early tone with six assists within the first, essentially the most he has ever recorded in any quarter and tied for a profession excessive. He added 11 factors as nicely, anchoring a Brooklyn offense that shot 12-of-22 from the sector and 4-of-8 from 3-point vary. The ball was shifting, with 11 assists to only one turnover, and the protection introduced some chew, forcing the Magic into seven giveaways and creating 5 further shot makes an attempt due to it. Brooklyn led 36-27 after one and regarded absolutely in management.
That momentum carried into the second. The Nets opened the quarter on an 8-3 run and pushed the result in 44-30, their largest benefit of the season. They stored Orlando on its heels, stringing collectively stops and persevering with to share the ball on the opposite finish. For a crew that has struggled to dictate tempo all 12 months, it was a reminder of what this group can appear like when it connects effort with execution.
Rookie Drake Powell set the tone defensively with tenacious full-court strain, and Porter, Nic Claxton, Noah Clowney and Ziaire Williams shared the scoring load. However basketball is a sport of runs, and the Magic had theirs. After main by as many as 16, the Nets watched Orlando shut the half on a 17-5 surge. A scoring drought of greater than 4 minutes didn’t assist, however Brooklyn nonetheless managed to succeed in halftime with a four-point edge, combating to maintain management of a sport that they had dominated early.
And what would the Nets do with their first halftime lead of the season? It was passed by the ten:17 mark of the third, worn out when Tristan da Silva buried a 3-pointer to offer Orlando its first lead. However Brooklyn didn’t fold. After falling behind by seven later within the interval, the Nets responded with an 18-8 burst to reclaim an 82-79 edge heading into the fourth.
A good remaining body got here all the way down to the closing seconds. After Franz Wagner banked in a 3-pointer excessive off the glass to place the Magic up 100-98, Terance Mann missed on the opposite finish. Wagner then buried his subsequent try, drilling a 26-footer to push Orlando forward 103-98 with 43.9 seconds left. Brooklyn couldn’t reply, and the Magic sealed the sport on the free throw line.
Orlando closed the sport on a 11-0 run that included three consecutive triples.
Porter led the Nets with 24 factors, 11 rebounds and a career-high seven assists, whereas Wagner paced Orlando with 25 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists.
The Nets return to motion Sunday in opposition to the Washington Wizards at Capital One Enviornment.
