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For the second game in a row, the Magic ran their offense very efficiently, shooting 49% from the field, including 38 1/2% on 3s, and 83% from the free throw line, assisting on 24 of their 40 baskets.
In addition to Nicholson's 18 points, Magic big man Glen "Big Baby" Davis added 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting, which continues Davis's surprisingly efficient preseason. J.J. Redick, starting at shooting guard, scored 14 points along with 5 assists. The point guard duo of Jameer Nelson and E'Twaun Moore contributed a combined 26 points and 13 assists, with Moore scoring 14 points with 8 assists off the bench in 30 minutes. Starting center Nikola Vucevic grabbed 9 rebounds in 17 minutes to lead the team in rebounding. DeQuan Jones, starting at small forward, continued his solid preseason with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in 32 minutes.
Not only did Nicholson score 18 points, he also added 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, a steal and an assist to make the most out of his 17 minutes.
Five Spurs scored in double figures, led by swingman Danny Green's 13 points. The Spurs' "big three" of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili combined to score 31 points, as Duncan and Ginobili each played limited minutes. Parker struggled, scoring 10 points on 3 of 13 shooting in 32 minutes.
Orlando trailed the Spurs 31-26 with 7:59 remaining in the first half before the Magic's Moore and Nicholson helped the Magic take control of the game. The Magic went on a 24-8 run, with Moore scoring 10 points, including two 3-pointers, and Nicholson scoring 9 points. The duo combined to hit on 8 of their 9 shots in this span, as the Magic led 50-41 at the half.
Orlando led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, as Davis scored 11 of his 17 points in the quarter, and led 79-72 going into the final frame. The Magic had their biggest lead at 97-81 midway into the fourth quarter after a Redick jumper, and still had a comfortable 102-89 lead with 3:31 remaining before the Spurs put on their final run to make the game close. Magic second round pick, center Kyle O'Quinn, played the final 6:25 of the game, and committed 4 turnovers in that span to help the Spurs get back in it.
It must be encouraging for new Magic coach Jacque Vaughn, even though it's just the preseason, that the Magic are improving as they play more games and that their offense seems to be clicking. Orlando will have a few days off before getting back into action at Memphis on Wednesday.