Nets fall to 0-2 after a poor second half vs. Magic
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) is fouled by Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) after going up to shoot during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
ORLANDO — Nets coach Jordi Fernandez wanted to see improvement in his team’s second game, mainly in the second half.
He didn’t get his wish at Kia Center Friday.
The Nets struggled through a rough third quarter and the 116-101 loss to the Magic was their second to start the season.
The third quarter started well for the Nets, with Ben Simmons driving to the basket on three consecutive possessions. Two of the drives were layups and Simmons’ 7-0 run signified the aggressive play that Fernandez wanted to see.
It didn’t last.
The Nets (0-2) started the quarter 6-for-8 shooting but gave up a 13-0 Magic run to trail 76-65. The Magic, third in defensive efficiency last season, forced eight turnovers in the third, leading to 15 points.
It was what the Nets expected from a physical team. Just like Wednesday against the Hawks, they didn’t do themselves any favors by giving up 25 points on 19 turnovers, matching their turnover total from the season opener.
“I think it’s getting used to playing at this level of physicality and pace,” Fernandez said. “Once we get there, [that’s] when you don’t make that many mistakes because you’re tired and so forth.”
The Nets, through two games, have played hard and been intense on defense, including stretches where they pick up defenders full court. But it’s led to second-half lulls where they can’t summon the energy to finish as strong as they start.
Cam Thomas had 19 second- half points and finished with a team-high 24. But Simmons couldn’t make his strong second-half start stick and was again in foul trouble. He picked up his fifth in the third and finished with just seven points. He also finished with four turnovers, although he and Dennis Schroder combined for just six after committing 11 in the opener.
The Nets also committed 31 fouls after committing 32 Wednesday. Whether it’s a combination of fatigue or being over-aggressive, it’s becoming a concern leading to poor finishes.
“I feel like it’s the second game where we ain’t put a full game together,” said Dorian Finney-Smith, who had 15 points. “We had a great first half and they started putting their head down and attacking the rim. We got to stop fouling.”
It was a contrast to how the Nets picked things up in the second quarter. After starting 3-for-14 shooting, they tightened up on defense and forced three turnovers in less than two minutes. It led to a 12-0 run that tied the score at 43 and was part of a closing 15-6 run to end the half.
At the center of it was Nic Claxton altering shots and grabbing rebounds. It was a turnaround from being ejected Wednesday and only playing 15 minutes. Claxton played 20 minutes in his second game back from a hamstring injury and, despite just four points and five rebounds, he was a plus-11 while on the court. But very little went right after the Nets led 65-63 with 5:19 to go in the third.
Schroder had 20 points and six assists. Orlando’s Franz Wagner scored a game-high 29 points, and his brother Moritz had 18 off the bench. All-Star Paolo Banchero had 15 points and eight assists.
In the Magic, the Nets faced a team they can learn from while starting this rebuild. The Magic had 21 wins in 2020-21 and 22 the following season, the first under coach Jamahl Mosley.
Yet those two bad seasons birthed three top-10 draft picks. Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner in 2021 and Banchero in 2022, as the No. 1 overall pick. The trio are now the cornerstones of a Magic team that won 47 games last season and returned to the playoffs
“Everybody wants to be in a position where they can play for a championship,” Jalen Wilson said. “Orlando was at a point in time where they were young and they lost a lot of games, and the same guys came back, and they’re just getting better.”
The Magic, with an average age of just over 25 years old, are also slightly older than the Nets. So, the Nets are hoping for a similar path after missing the playoffs last season.
Yet the path will be bumpy. The Nets’ search for a first win continues Sunday at Barclays Center against the Bucks in their home opener.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
