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The Orlando Magic will be looking to make it two in a row at home Wednesday night as they host the Brooklyn Nets inside the Amway Center.
The Magic came from behind to defeat the Phoenix Suns 105-99 Saturday night, a contest that matched two lottery-bound organizations against one another. Aaron Gordon was dominant against the Suns, posting 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Being off the last three days means the Magic should be rested, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will be at full strength. Far from it in fact.
Orlando will once again be without Jonathan Isaac (foot) and Jonathon Simmons (wrist). Of course, the Magic have also been playing without Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross for sometime.
Additionally, the Magic will be without Wes Iwundu against the Nets. He's missing tonight's game with flu-like symptoms.
All of this leaves Rodney Purvis in line to get his first career NBA start. It was announced earlier today that Purvis agreed to a contract with the Magic for the remainder of this season and next season (although next season is non-guaranteed).
"He deserves it. He has deserved it with his play - in the G-League all season, and then with the opportunity that he's had here," Frank Vogel said in his pre-game conference. "He checks a lot of boxes in terms of being able to produce on the floor. He's a good culture fit, I think he's been well-liked in the locker room."
The Brooklyn Nets enter tonight's game losers of their last three games. Brooklyn last played Sunday afternoon, dropping that contest to the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-114. Reserve wing Joe Harris scored a career-high 30 points in a losing effort.
Theoretically, Brooklyn has no reason to "tank" down the stretch; Cleveland owns their first round pick in 2018.
The Nets are 2-1 against the Magic this season (the home team has won each game).
Gordon scored 41 points against the Nets earlier this year, which set his career high.
Leave your pregame and in-game comments here. Follow us at @OPPMagicBlog. Enjoy!
Brooklyn Nets (23-51, Lost 3 in a row) @ Orlando Magic (22-51, Won 1 in a row) |
March 28th, 2018 |
Amway Center |
7:00 P.M. EST |
TV: Fox Sports Florida |
D'Angelo Russell | PG | D.J. Augustin |
Allen Crabbe | SG | Wes Iwundu |
DeMarre Carroll | SF | Mario Hezonja |
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | PF | Aaron Gordon |
Jarrett Allen | C | Nikola Vucevic |
BROOKLYN |
| ORLANDO |
98.7 (7th of 30) | PACE | 98.2 (9th of 30) |
106.9 (21st of 30) | O-RTG | 105.9 (25th of 30) |
111.1 (25th of 30) | D-RTG | 110.7 (22nd of 30) |