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Magic 115, Nets 111
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
ORLANDO, Fla. – Veteran guard Arron Afflalo scored 25 points, including seven in the last four minutes, to lead the Orlando Magic to a 115-111 victory over the playoff-bound Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night.
Guard Joe Johnson had 31 points for the Nets, who were coming off a dramatic win in Miami on Tuesday night but trailed throughout much of the game Wednesday. Johnson scored 11 points in those final four minutes, but it wasn’t enough.
Magic reserve guard E’Twaun Moore matched his season high with 17 points, including 14 in the second period when he hit four 3-point shots. Forward Tobias Harris had 16 points and eight rebounds. Guard Jameer Nelson had 14 points and hit four free throws in the final 14 seconds to hold off the Nets (43-35).
Nets forward Mirza Teletovic had 17 points, and rookie Mason Plumlee had 16 points.
The Magic made 11 of 24 shots from 3-point range and 43 of 77 field goal attempts (55.8 percent) in snapping the Nets three-game winning streak.
The Magic led 83-78 going into the final period, withstanding four 3-point baskets in the third quarter by Teletovic. The Nets led 73-72 on a 3-pointer by Teletovic, and 76-75 on another 3-pointer by guard Deron Williams.
Moore’s big second quarter helped turn a two-point deficit into a 55-43 Magic lead at halftime. Afflalo had 11 points in the first quarter and 15 by intermission.
The Magic led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter when they made four of their seven 3-point attempts. Moore scored eight of his points in a span of three consecutive possessions.
Johnson had 12 points and Nets forward Kevin Garnett six rebounds in the first two quarters. Williams was scoreless and missed all six of his shots in the first half. Teletovic made only one of 10 shots in the first two periods.
NOTES: Nets F Paul Pierce (sore hip) and G Shaun Livingston (sore toe) missed Wednesday’s game after playing Tuesday in Brooklyn’s victory over the Miami Heat. Brooklyn F Kevin Garnett returned Wednesday after missing Tuesday’s game with back spasms. … Magic C Nikola Vucevic missed his third consecutive game due to a sore Achilles tendon. The Magic are 3-17 this season without him. Earlier this season, the Magic beat the Nets by 21 points with Vucevic getting 19 points and 12 rebounds. … On Wednesday, Nick Anderson and Pat Williams became first inductees into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame. Anderson was the team’s first ever draft pick in 1989, and he played 10 seasons. Williams, now a team vice president, was the first general manager, and he was instrumental in Orlando getting an NBA franchise. … The Nets came into the game with the best record in the Eastern Conference since Jan. 1, but the loss dropped them to 33-14 since the start of the year.
