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The Brooklyn Nets Edged Out a 98-95 Victory Monday Night

By Pace Maier

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Marco Belinelli #3 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 4, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Marco Belinelli #3 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 4, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets start their five-game homestand with a three-point win over the Orlando Magic.

There’s no better way than to start the New Year with a victory. That’s what the Brooklyn Nets did Monday as they outlasted the Orlando Magic 98-95 at Barclays Center.

The Nets made free throws down the line as they captured their 14th victory in 37 tries. Even though a 73.9 free throw percentage isn’t too sexy, the Nets connected at the charity stripe in the final minute of the game.

Rookie Jarrett Allen finished with a team-high 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting as five Nets scored in double-figures.

Three starters — DeMarre Carroll, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Allen Crabbe — scored in double-figures.

Brooklyn trailed 92-90 with 1:51 to play but ended the game on an 8-3 to capture their 14th victory in 37 tries.

Carrol and Crabbe combined for 29 points and 18 rebounds in a game that featured 13 lead changes.

Caris LeVert gave the Nets a 94-93 lead with 1:03 in the fourth quarter after attacking the rim as he blew past Bismack Biyombo.

LeVert was fouled on the shot and made the free throw to give Brooklyn a late 95-93 lead.

Then Crabbe sank two more with 18 seconds left to hand the Magic their 16th road loss.

Crabbe also blocked Orlando’s game-tying shot attempt in the final seconds of the game.

Defensively, the Nets held their opponent to under a 100 points for the first time since Nov. 29 in a win.

In Brooklyn’s last six wins, they’ve held their opponents to under a 100 points.

The Nets first lead of the game came with 7:52 in the first quarter after a Crabbe three-pointer. But then Orlando played with the lead for the next two quarters.

One of Spencer Dinwiddie’s two three-pointers gave the Nets a 58-55 lead with 8:24 in the third quarter as Brooklyn outscored the Magic 51-47 in the final two quarters.

Both teams found success in the paint throughout the game. Brooklyn finished with 48 points in the paint as Orlando added 46.

The Magic were led by Aaron Gordon’s 20 points and 12 rebounds as Biyombo added 13 and a game-high 17 rebounds.

Next: Here's what we want the Nets to do in 2018

The Nets will get a day off before hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.