Magic spoils Jason Kidd’s coaching debut with balanced scoring
November 3, 2013
Nik Vulcevic recorded his third career double-double, propelling the Orlando Magic to a 107-86 victory over the Brooklyn Nets Sunday night at the Amway Center.
Vulcevic scored 19 points and grabbed 12 boards as the Magic increased their record to 2-2, snapping a four-game lose streak to the Nets while ruining Jason Kidd’s NBA coaching debut.
“That group (Nets) in the other locker room is very impressive, they’re Hall of Famers,” said Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn at the end of the game, referring to Brooklyn acquiring Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics to play alongside Brook Lopez, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. “If we played them one-on-one, we’d lose. If we come with a collective responsibility approach at both ends of the floor, we have a chance and our guys did that at both ends of the floor.”
Rookie guard Victor Oladpio also contributed for 19 buckets, six rebounds and four assist off the bench, notching his career high in points.
The Magic had six-players score in double digits and shot 47 percent as an unit from the field. Arron Afallo recorded 16 points and a career-high eight assist.
Maurice Harkless opened up the second half with back-to-back shots from deep and stole any hint of confidence the Nets looked to come out of halftime with helping the Magic take control of the game in the third-quarter, outscoring the Nets 33-21.
Despite his turnovers in the first half, Oladipo came out the locker room at half time as a totally different person was a huge spark for the Magic in the third-quarter. At one point he scored or assisted on 10 straight Magic points extending the lead. Adding insult to injury Oladipo managed to break away into the open court thanks to a steal from Williams and throw down a huge 360 degree dunk.
“My teammates just kept telling me to be aggressive and I just listened,” said Oladipo who scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half. “The great thing about the NBA is that its a long game. Both halves are like two whole games.
Brooklyn was lead by center Brook Lopez who put in 21 points, grabbed six rebounds and recorded five block shots.
The Magic will continue their four-game homestead as they are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.