Nothin' But Nets
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Nets’ Three-Game Winning Streak Snapped By Magic’s Third Quarter Explosion

By Alexander Cuesta

Apr 6, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) is guarded by Orlando Magic shooting guard Jodie Meeks (20) and Orlando Magic shooting guard Mario Hezonja (8) at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) is guarded by Orlando Magic shooting guard Jodie Meeks (20) and Orlando Magic shooting guard Mario Hezonja (8) at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports /
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107. 147. Final. 115. 38

The Brooklyn Nets traveled to face the Orlando Magic in their third and final meeting of the season. The Nets played even with the Magic in the first half, but the game got away from them in the second half.

The Nets got out to a good start to the game with good ball movement on offense. That faded after the first few possessions, and both teams found themselves settling for contested jumpers. Brook Lopez struggled early with sloppy passes and bad decisions. However, the second unit came in and used their signature hustle to get the game under control. Brooklyn’s bench outscored the Magic’s 10-3 on the way to give the Nets a 25-22 lead at the end of one.

The Magic raced to a quick start to the second, going on a 9-1 run to them up 31-26 early in the frame. Isaiah Whitehead responded singlehandedly by scoring four straight points and cutting the lead to one.

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All players on the second unit not named Whitehead struggled throughout the quarter. The starters were reinserted with Archie Goodwin remaining on the floor, giving the Nets a dual point guard lineup. Jeremy Lin took over the quarter using the three and finished the half with 17 points. The Magic closed out the half with two athletic layups by Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton to tie the game at 50 after two quarters.

The third quarter was dominated by the Magic from the first possession. Orlando started with an 18-5 run, led by the scoring of Jodie Meeks. Meeks scored 18 points in the quarter, hitting four three-pointers along the way.

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The Nets played sloppy throughout and struggled to score. Brooklyn’s reserves came in and got the game to within single digits, but the Magic responded, expanding the lead to 15 points by the end of the frame. Two highlight reel alley-oops from Payton to Gordon kept the momentum with the Magic for the duration of the quarter. The Magic outscored the Nets 36-21 in the third and took a 86-71 lead.

Brooklyn started the final period on an 8-0 run and got the lead as low as five points twice in the quarter. Led by Caris LeVert and Lin, the Nets kept the game within reach, but were never able to get over the hump. Each time the Nets went on a run, the Magic responded with a run of their own. Eventually, the Nets were forced to foul late, and the Magic sealed the game with free throws. The three-game winning streak came to an end in Orlando with a 115-107 loss.

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Lin had a season-high 32 points, and LeVert chipped in 20 points in the loss. Lopez struggled, scoring only 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. After this game, Lopez is only 35 points away from passing Buck Williams as the Nets’ all-time leading scorer.