Sports

Short-Handed Magic Overcome Injuries, Defeat Brooklyn 102-101

Orlando, FL

Orlando, Florida, USA, December 8, 2024, Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony #50 shoots a three at the Kia Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

– The Orlando Magic pulled off a miracle today, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 102-101 with a strong late-game push. Their defense tightened, and they capitalized on what opportunities the Nets gave them.

The Magic entered this month, and this game, already struggling. With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner sidelined, the team has been scrambling to fill the gaps, often with little success. On Sunday night, Anthony Black and Moritz Wagner joined the injured list, and to make matters worse, Jalen Suggs exited in the second quarter with a wrist injury.

The Nets, much like the Knicks in the previous game, exploited the Magic’s vulnerability with dominant 3-point shooting, building a 21-point lead at one stage.

At halftime, Orlando was down 61-43, having committed 11 turnovers that led to 15 Nets points. Goga Bitadze was the only Magic player in double digits, with 13 points. Meanwhile, Suggs was out, and Cole Anthony had yet to take the floor.

In the second half, the Magic turned things around, committing only two turnovers—both in the third quarter. During that quarter, they outscored Brooklyn 25-22 and outrebounded them 16-9. Cam Thomas was relentless, amassing 22 points and finding ways to break through Orlando’s defense.

The fourth quarter was where the Magic truly lived up to their name. Orlando outscored Brooklyn 34-18, including a stunning 22-4 run to seize control of the game.

Tristan Da Silva led the charge with 13 fourth-quarter points, shooting 50% from beyond the arc. Caleb Houstan chipped in, going 3-for-3 from 3-point range to bolster Orlando’s desperate scoring effort. On the other side, the Nets struggled, shooting just 5-for-18 in the fourth and committing nine second-half turnovers, which handed Orlando 12 points.

The climax of the game was electrifying. Down 101-99 with 6.2 seconds remaining, the Magic inbounded from their end. Cole Anthony received the pass, maneuvered around the key, and looked for Da Silva. The Nets overcommitted to covering Da Silva, leaving the far side of the court wide open. Anthony seized the opportunity, driving to the basket and lofting a high shot off the glass and into the net for the go-ahead score.

In the final second, Cam Thomas attempted a desperation shot, but it missed, sealing Orlando’s much-needed victory.

“Very, very, very proud of these guys for how they continue to fight and scrap no matter what,” said Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “We turned it over a ton. In the second half, I think we only had two turnovers. At one point, it was 11 turnovers for 14 points.”

When asked what it says about the team that they’ve been able to fill in for missing players, Mosley responded, “It says that we are enough and we have enough, no matter who’s on the floor. We know how we’re gonna defend, how we’re gonna communicate, and how we’re gonna keep fighting.

“When you step on the floor and play for the Orlando Magic, this is how you’re gonna play. You’re gonna support your brothers in the locker room, fight for them on the court, and scrap until the final horn goes off.”

Coming off a deflating 23-point loss to the New York Knicks in their last game, the Magic defied the odds to secure this victory.

Bitadze finished with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, Wendell Carter Jr. added 13 points, and Da Silva shined with 21 points and seven assists. Cole Anthony contributed 10 points in the second half, while Caleb Houstan put up 12 points.

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