D'Angelo Russell, Aaron Gordon Duel Ends With Nets Loss (Highlights)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic defends against D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second half during their game at Barclays Center on October 20, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets lose their rematch against the Orlando Magic 125-121, behind career game from forward Aaron Gordon.

  • Brooklyn Nets (2-2)
  • Orlando Magic (3-1)
  • Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
  • NBA, Final Box Score

Defense was the story tonight as the Nets two-win streak came to a close. Magic forward Aaron Gordon scored 41 points on a scorching hot 5-5 from deep. He simply couldn’t be stopped, and drilled a three-pointer to ice the win for Orlando.

Teammate Evan Fournier was the only other Magic player with 20+ points, scoring 28 on the night and 12 in the fourth.

Guard D’Angelo Russell continues to stuff the stat sheet, scoring 27 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in the Nets’ loss. The first quarter was all his, as he scored 12 points on 4-4 from beyond the arc.

His clutch factor in the fourth was nowhere to be seen, as the guard scored only two buckets in the final quarter. He wasn’t alone, as both Allen Crabbe and Caris LeVert missed a lot of open looks as well.

Speaking of the two guards, LeVert had another good game with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Crabbe went an abysmal 2-10 from the field and 1-6 from three.

The Nets’ starting forwards, DeMarre Carroll and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson both put on strong performances. Brooklyn’s sophomore project, Hollis-Jefferson, scored 18 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

Carroll helped keep Brooklyn in the game late, with a huge steal off of Magic center Nikola Vucevic. He scored 18 points along with 6 rebounds in the loss.

Rookie Jarrett Allen saw more minutes exposure tonight as promised, yet tallied only 5 points, 3 rebounds, a block, and a steal. He did catch two impressive alley-oop slams courtesy of LeVert late in the game.

Overall, this was a fun game to watch, and ultimately just a lesson learned for the young Nets. The team’s defensive effort has yet to improve, as the Magic shot 50 percent from the field overall. Russell had a certain hesitance about him late, earning turnovers instead of points scored.

Brooklyn had three good looks from deep down 125-121 in the closing seconds of the game, but failed to convert. Take into account they were outscored 38-25 in the fourth, and it’s apparent these kids were gassed.

At the end of the day, shots weren’t falling for the Nets, and they were for the Magic. Improvements defensively, and better time management late are the key takeaways from tonight’s loss.

These teams will meet again January 1st in Brooklyn, mark it on your calendars as a must watch.


Brooklyn will return home for tomorrow night’s match against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM EST.

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