Nets’ Bench Helps Lead Team to Victory Over Magic

The Brooklyn Nets came away with a 121-111 win over the Orlando Magic. Big games from Brook Lopez, Trevor Booker and the Nets’ bench were the keys to the Nets victory.

The Brooklyn Nets took on the Orlando Magic Saturday evening at Barclays center. The game started off in April Fool’s fashion, with both teams failing the to win the jump ball three times.

Brook Lopez, the birthday boy, made up for it by opening with a quick dunk to get the Nets on the board first. Aaron Gordon scored seven quick points, including a high-flying reverse alley-oop. His play helped Orlando get out to an early 15-5 lead. After a Brooklyn timeout, the Nets answered back with an 8-2 run.

Late in the first quarter, Trevor Booker provided a spark off the bench, bringing energy and offense by scoring eight points. But a strong first quarter from Nikola Vucevic and Gordon helped Orlando keep the game tied at 33 through one.

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Booker continued his tough play in the second quarter; fighting for loose balls, grabbing rebounds and shooting the lights out. With about two minutes to go, Lopez drove to the basket and made a beautiful spin move for two points. Both teams were evenly matched through the second quarter, with the Nets clinging to a 60-53 lead at the end of the first half.

The game continued at a quick pace, as Orlando didn’t commit their first team foul until the 5:43 mark of the third. The Magic made a 10-0 run from 5:09 to the 3:15 mark in the third quarter. Vucevic continued to be a problem for the Nets, as he scored 12 points in the third alone. Brooklyn’s bench, however, outscored Orlando’s bench 49 to 14 through three-quarters, helping to knot up the game at 89 apiece.

The Nets’ bench continued their strong play in the fourth, going on an 11-0 run to start the quarter. Booker continued his hot shooting in the fourth. Brooklyn as a team shot 9-of-11 from the floor through the first six minutes of the quarter. The Nets kept building their lead and never looked back. Brooklyn would end up winning the game, 121-111.

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Lopez finished the game with 30 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks on his birthday. Booker also had an outstanding night, putting up 23 points on 11-of-12 shooting and pulling down eight boards.

For the Magic, Vucevic was the high man with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Gordon also had a big game with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Elfrid Payton notched his fifth triple-double of the season, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

The Nets’ bench outscored the Magic’s bench 72 to 16. Brooklyn also scored 72 points in the paint in Saturday evening’s matchup. Both of these factors made a huge difference in Brooklyn’s win.

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The Nets take on the Hawks Sunday at 6 p.m. in the second night of a back-to-back. It will be Brooklyn’s final set of back-to-back games this season.