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Magic Cruise Past Nets for Third Straight Victory

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

The Lead

Cole Anthony recorded 21 points, Franz Wagner scored 19 and filled up the rest of the box score with 10 rebounds and six assists, and Jalen Suggs, back after missing the last four games with a concussion, had 16 points, as the Orlando Magic used a balanced scoring attack to cruise past the Brooklyn Nets 119-106 on Sunday night at Amway Center for their third straight win.

Interesting Fact

A franchise-tying-high eight Magic players scored in double figures. It was the 13th time this has happened in team history, with the last being Jan. 4 against the OKC Thunder.

Key Stretch

The Magic outscored the Nets 27-14 in the final eight minutes of the third quarter. Markelle Fultz scored six of his 10 points during that stretch, while Paolo Banchero had five of his 11. Orlando shot 59.1 percent as a team in the third.

Key Stats

Orlando outscored Brooklyn 58-38 in the paint and they had 11 more fast break points. They also dished out 30 assists, tied for the third most this season. The Magic limited the Nets to just 8-for-35 shooting from 3-point range (22.9 percent).

Interesting Note

Mikal Bridges scored 44 points, one shy of his career high. That’s tied for the second most points a player has scored against the Magic this season. Kevin Durant, then a Net, erupted for 45 points against Orlando on Nov. 28. Luka Doncic tallied 44 on Oct. 30.

Injury Report

Jonathan Isaac (left adductor surgery) was out for the Magic. Royce O’Neale (knee), Edmond Sumner (hip), Ben Simmons (knee), and Seth Curry (personal reasons) were unavailable for the Nets.

In the News

At Saturday’s Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, which benefits the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF), Wendell Carter Jr. was named the 2022-23 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award winner. He’s the 19th Magic player to ever earn the honor. Since 1995, the DeVos family has honored a player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing other’s lives (due to the pandemic, the CEA was not awarded for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons).

Quote of the Day

“We grew up with it. It’s something my parents have always done. They always taught us that everybody has something to give – time, talent, treasure, whatever it may be. That’s just part of what we do. It’s sort of our DNA. Wherever you are, throughout the country and throughout the world of course, there are people that need things – and it’s our responsibility to help.” – Magic Chairman Dan DeVos on his family’s community engagement and outreach

This Day in History

One of the more impressive victories from the Magic’s Heart & Hustle 1999-2000 season occurred on March 26 when they blew out the Miami Heat, one of the best teams in the East that year. Chucky Atkins led Orlando with 20 points and the Magic held the Heat to just 69 points. This came during a stretch in which the Magic won seven straight.

Rivals Report

No, the Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving (and James Harden, if you include him as well) era didn’t go as planned. But not all is lost for the Nets. Bridges and Cam Johnson have played very well since arriving in Brooklyn. Although they owe draft picks to Houston going forward from the Harden deal, the Nets gained back draft capital in last year’s Harden-to-Philadelphia deal and this year’s KD-to-Phoenix and Kyrie-to-Dallas deals. On top of all that, they’re playing meaningful basketball to close out this season.

Up Next

The first of two straight road games for the Magic will take place on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET against the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis won the first meeting on Jan. 5 at Amway Center behind 32 points from Ja Morant and 31 from Jaren Jackson Jr. Banchero led Orlando with 30 points, one of his five 30-plus-point performances this season, and Franz Wagner scored 22.