Brooklyn Nets defeat Orlando Magic after first quarter dominance – NBA Recap
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Orlando Magic on Sunday night here at the Barclays Center after having a great first quarter. The Nets outscored the Magic 35-17 in the first period to take a convincing lead, which Orlando was unable to come back from throughout the game and eventually lost 74-82. Brook Lopez scored 20 points and 3 rebounds for the Nets where as Kris Humphries finished with 14 points and 21 rebounds to guide the Nets to victory. Arron Afflalo finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the Magic, going 7 of 16 from the field.
Both teams started the game well and stayed in competition, but Brooklyn quickly ran away with the lead after Deron Williams scored back to back three pointers and Brook Lopez followed with a tip in to give the Nets a 13-6 lead. After a layup by Josh McRoberts for the Magic, the Nets again went on a 9-2 run capped off by a three pointer by Joe Johnson to put them ahead 22-10. Orlando did attempt to cut into the Nets lead and two free throws by J.J. Redick had the Magic trailing 17-24, but C.J. Watson scored six quick points for Brooklyn and Jerry Stackhouse followed with a three pointer, as the Nets closed the period on an 11-0 run to take a 35-17 lead.
Both teams started the second period rather slow and off rhythm, with Brooklyn managing to score only two points in the first five and a half minutes of the period. Orlando were struggling as well but still got the Nets lead down to 39-29. However, the Nets slowly regained momentum and started executing offensive sets, managing to hold on to a 50-35 lead at half time. After scoring 35 points in the first period, the Nets only managed 15 in the second.
Brooklyn continued their dominance in the third period, and a three pointer by Williams put them ahead 57-42. Orlando replied with a 7-2 run to cut into the lead and trail 49-59. Both team managed only 2 two points each in the final three and a half minutes of the period and Brooklyn led 63-53 going into the final period.
The Nets scored the first five points of the final period and the Magic failed to score till the 8:43 mark, allowing the Nets to extend their lead to 68-53. A layup by Glen Davis later in the period capped off an impressive run by Orlando and had them trailing 70-75, but the Nets finished strong and closed the period with a 5-2 run to pick up an 82-74 victory in the end.
Deron Williams finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists where as Joe Johnson had 13 points and 4 assists. Glen Davis had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic and Nikola Vucevic added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Both teams shot poorly from three point range, and the Nets had a clear 55-41 advantage in rebounds over the Magic.
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