Magic 139, Nets 105: Orlando dominates Brooklyn in easy win

On a rainy Orlando night, the Orlando Magic welcomed the Brooklyn Nets into the comforting and dry Amway Center. The Magic crushed the Nets at home, dominating in every facet, knocking off the Nets 139-105.

Early on, the Magic struggled, missing shots and falling behind the visiting Nets by as many as six. As the quarter wore on, the turnovers began to pile up for the Nets, with the Magic turning five Brooklyn mistakes into 11 first quarter points. Aaron Gordon electrified the crowd on multiple occasions, throwing down a pair of monster dunks en route to perfect 6-of-6 shooting for 13 points in the quarter. Thanks to their strong defensive play, and high productivity moving the ball -- the hosts assisted on 11 of their 14 field goals in the quarter -- the Magic found themselves up 32-23 after one.

After controlling the game in the opening quarter, the Magic took even more of a stronghold of the lead, thanks to strong play on both ends. Behind Jason Smith and Andrew Nicholson off the bench, the Magic pushed their lead out to as many as 30. The team continued their strong ball movement which helped aid them in taking a big early lead, pushing their assist total to 25, just 12 off their season high of 37. At the halftime break, the Magic found themselves up 73-45 on the lowly Nets.

Out of halftime, Orlando's utter dominance continued. With the Nets taking out many of their starters, including center Brook Lopez, the Magic grew their lead even more, pushing it to as many as 36 in the quarter. Orlando kept taking advantage of the Nets slow defense, attacking the rim and getting easy buckets, including multiple alleyoops through the quarter. After three, the Magic found themselves with a lead they couldn't blow, up 103-73.

Up by 30 going into the fourth, the Magic just had to go through the motions in the fourth quarter. With their bench in, Brooklyn cut into Orlando's lead some, but it wasn't enough to make the Magic nervous thanks to their strong open three quarters.

Eight Magic players finished in double figures, led by Nicholson's career-high 24. Aaron Gordon added 20, with Evan Fournier and Dewayne Dedmon each finishing with 15. Jason Smith finished the night with 14 off the bench, while Elfrid Payton added a 11-point, 12-assist double-double. Brandon Jennings finished with 11 points of his own. Mario Hezonja added 10 off the bench as well.

Thomas Robinson led the charge for the Nets, finishing with 18. Wayne Ellington scored 12, with Markel Brown and Sean Kilpatrick finishing with 11 apiece. Shane Larkin and Willie Reed scored 10 apiece.