Groups are discovering it straightforward to attain 120 factors in opposition to the Orlando Magic in current weeks, whereas aside from a three-game lull final week, the Brooklyn Nets are displaying defensive enchancment.
Coming off a tough defensive displaying, the Magic will try to keep away from getting swept in a back-to-back set Wednesday after they go to the enhancing Nets.
The Magic gained three straight Nov. 25-Dec. 1 as a part of their 13-8 begin and allowed 120 factors six instances in that span. Since then, Orlando is 7-9 in its previous 16 contests and has allowed 120 factors 9 instances, together with in every of the previous three video games in opposition to the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards.
On Tuesday, Orlando trailed by 26 in its 120-112 loss at Washington. Whereas the Magic allowed the Wizards to shoot 45.3% general, they allowed them to make 11 of 18 pictures within the third and trailed by 26 with 4:32 left within the third, prompting coach Jamahl Mosley to bench his starters.
Orlando additionally dedicated 19 turnovers and 23 fouls and despatched Washington to the road 33 instances.
“We turned it over 19 instances over for 29 factors, we’re not giving ourselves an opportunity,” Mosley stated. “We put them on the free throw line 33 instances, that is powerful to return again from. Greater than something, our power to begin the sport, I believe that is the place we’ve to show the web page.”
Rookie Jase Richardson led the Magic with a career-high 20 factors off the bench. Orlando’s reserves totaled 62 factors whereas Orlando’s 5 starters didn’t rating greater than 15.
After scoring 31 in Sunday’s eight-point win over Indiana, Desmond Bane was held to fifteen and scored fewer than 20 for the fifth time in seven video games. Paolo Banchero completed with 14 however is averaging 25 factors in his previous 5 video games.
The Nets allowed the ultimate 11 factors of their 105-98 loss in Orlando on Nov. 14 in a recreation that dropped their document to 1-11. Since then, Brooklyn is 10-11 over its previous 21 video games and 8-6 in its previous 14.
Brooklyn allowed 369 factors in three straight double-digit losses to the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Wizards final week however bounced again with a gentle displaying of their 127-115 dwelling win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday afternoon.
Michael Porter Jr. returned from lacking two video games with an sickness and scored 27 as six reached double figures. It was his fourth straight recreation with not less than 25 factors, and he additionally added 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double this season.
The Nets additionally noticed Noah Clowney add 22 factors after he was 3-of-22 from 3 over his earlier 4 video games. Day’Ron Sharpe added 17 instead of Nic Claxton, who is anticipated to return from a two-game absence on account of private causes.
“I believe we spaced the ground nicely, that is good to see,” Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez stated. “It is good to have completely different guys scoring as a result of that tells you that you simply’re exhausting to protect. So nice for our guys making an attempt to make that straightforward play.”
–Discipline Stage Media
