Franz Wagner scored 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and made eight assists while having a tough time shooting on Sunday, as the Orlando Magic extended their winning streak to six games with a 100-92 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Orlando has now won 12 of their last 13 games and defeated the Nets for the third time this season in a game that featured 60 personal fouls between the teams.
After scoring 29 points for the second time against the Nets this season on Friday, Wagner struggled with his shooting, making only 4 of 17 field goals. However, he made 12 of 14 free throws, including two after taking a hit to the face from Nic Claxton, which led to Claxton’s ejection with 18 seconds remaining.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16 points, including a key 3-pointer that gave Orlando the lead and started a 17-9 run to close the game.
Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 14 points for the Magic, who shot 45.9 percent (34 of 74) from the field despite missing 21 of 28 3-point attempts. Moritz Wagner and Jalen Suggs each scored 12 points, and Goga Bitadze added 12 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 25 points but appeared to injure his ankle or hamstring in the final minute. Brooklyn also lost Ben Simmons to a bruised left knee. Dennis Schroder scored 20 points but struggled with his shooting, making only 6 of 19 attempts. The Nets shot 38 percent (30 of 79) from the field and missed 23 of 31 3-point shots, including 11 in a row at one point.
The game was close throughout, with neither team leading by more than five points. The first half saw 14 lead changes and 11 ties, and the teams were tied at 50 at halftime. Caldwell-Pope gave Orlando a 69-59 lead with two consecutive baskets late in the third quarter, and the Magic took a 75-69 lead into the final period.
The Nets fought back from a 10-point deficit, using a 20-9 run to take a 79-78 lead on a 3-pointer by Schroder with 9:48 left in the game. Caldwell-Pope hit another 3-pointer to break an 83-83 tie with 6:22 left, and Bitadze’s dunk with just over four minutes remaining pushed Orlando’s lead to 96-86, helping them secure the win.
