The Orlando Magic are riding high on expectations after their best season in over a decade. Kicking off the new season with a strong performance, the Magic now aim to start 2-0 for consecutive seasons for the first time in over 30 years, hosting the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. The last time they achieved back-to-back season openings was during Shaquille O’Neal’s early career in the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.
Last year, the Magic’s impressive start led them to 47 wins, their highest since the 2010-11 season. With Paolo Banchero and a rising core, they’re favorites in the Southeast Division, especially after taking the Cleveland Cavaliers to Game 7 in the first round of last spring’s playoffs. Banchero, whose scoring average rose from 20 to 22.6 points in his second year, dropped 33 points in their 116-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. The Magic dominated the third quarter with a 12-0 run, shooting 66.7% and outscoring the Heat 39-18 to turn a tight halftime lead into a 25-point advantage.
Franz Wagner contributed 23 points, Gary Harris added 18, and Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed 14 rebounds. The team shot 42.7% from the field and made 36.7% of their three-pointers.
The Brooklyn Nets, on the other hand, are trying to avoid an 0-2 start for the first time in their history after a narrow 120-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. New coach Jordi Fernandez watched as Cam Thomas scored 36 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter. Thomas’ late-game surge came after Nic Claxton was ejected for a flagrant-two foul, part of Brooklyn’s 32 fouls that led to 46 free throw attempts for the Hawks.
Brooklyn also aims to cut down on turnovers after committing 19 in their opener, with Dennis Schroder and Ben Simmons accounting for 11 of them. This will be Simmons’ first season back after March back surgery.
