Regardless of reinserting a few starters again into the lineup, the Orlando Magic dropped Friday’s street recreation 101-84 to the Brooklyn Nets.
Guard Markelle Fultz (7 factors and 5 assists in 18 minutes) and ahead Franz Wagner (12 factors and 5 rebounds in 24 minutes) have been obtainable and again with the beginning group after sitting out Thursday’s house loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Guard Gary Harris was additionally obtainable off the bench however didn’t play.
The Magic sat their starters within the loss to the Cavaliers, the primary evening of a back-to-back, choosing gamers who haven’t been within the rotation.
However a couple of of these gamers — together with Fultz, Harris and Wagner — who didn’t play on Thursday have been again within the lineup towards the Nets.
Guard Cole Anthony (14 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists), who was obtainable however didn’t play towards the Cavaliers, made his fourth begin of the season towards the Nets alongside Fultz, Wagner, Jalen Suggs (7 factors and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes) and Goga Bitadze (12 factors and 15 rebounds).
“There’s all the time one thing to play for once you’re with a younger group,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned pregame. “That's instructing successful habits. Instructing play significant basketball this time of yr. It’s not a lightweight swap you'll be able to activate and off.”
The change gave the Magic a possibility to have a look at completely different lineups towards a staff nonetheless enjoying for one thing.
“It’s constantly going to be what we talked about: completely different lineups we need to see,” Mosley mentioned. “Clearly going into the back-to-back, with the ability to have a look at it a unique means and preserve our bodies as recent as attainable. It’s undoubtedly a means to have the ability to have a look at this stuff.”
The Magic’s lack of continuity with their lineups was evident for the second consecutive recreation.
Orlando saved the sport shut early, trailing Brooklyn 16-15 earlier than falling behind 27-23 on the finish of the primary quarter. However the Nets (45-36), led by Mikal Bridges’ 22 factors, broke the sport open by outscoring Orlando 31-16 within the second.
The Magic had 21 turnovers for twenty-four Nets’ factors. Orlando trailed by as a lot as 24 within the third earlier than their reserves lower the deficit to 85-75 halfway by means of the fourth. However Brooklyn didn’t permit the Magic to get any nearer.
The Nets secured the No. 6 seed within the East and can keep away from the play-in event area of postseason play.
Ahead Paolo Banchero (again tightness), middle Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness), ahead Jonathan Isaac (season-ending left inside thigh surgical procedure on March 3), guard Jay Scrubb (ineligible to play) and ahead Moe Wagner (sprained proper ankle) weren’t obtainable.
The Magic (34-47) will shut out the season on Sunday with a matchup at No. 7 seed Miami (43-38).
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Khobi Value at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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