Orlando Magic vs Brooklyn Nets Box Score on Oct 20, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Oct 20, 2017

NEW YORK -- D'Angelo Russell scored six of his 17 points down the stretch as the Brooklyn Nets withstood a career-high 41 points from Nikola Vucevic to beat the Orlando Magic 126-121 in their home opener Friday night.

Russell made 8 of 16 shots after getting 30 points in his Brooklyn debut Wednesday in Indiana. He converted a crossover layup and then executed a nifty foul line jumper while being defended by D.J. Augustin with 83 seconds left for a 119-116 lead.

DeMarre Carroll also scored 17 and grabbed eight rebounds as the Nets outrebounded the Magic 48-40.

Carroll and Russell were among six in double figures for the Nets, who are 5-1 in home openers since moving from New Jersey in 2012. Trevor Booker also added 17 poins, reserve Spencer Dinwiddie scored 16 while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson totaled 15.

Vucevic surpassed his previous career high of 37 and also grabbed 12 rebounds. He made 17 of 22 shots, including a career-high six 3-pointers but missed a short jumper while being defended by Carroll and committed a turnover in the final minute.

Despite Russell's last hoop seemingly putting the game away, the Magic were within 122-121 when Terrence Ross hit a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left. After Allen Crabbe made two free throws, Evan Fournier missed a corner 3-pointer with three seconds left and the Nets finally sealed it when Booker made two free throws with ninth-tenths of a second remaining.

Fournier added 22 points for the Magic, who made 18 3-pointers and played without Aaron Gordon (ankle) and the second half without Elfrid Payton (hamstring).

NOTES: Brooklyn G Jeremy Lin underwent surgery Friday after rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee Wednesday. Lin was visited by coach Kenny Atkinson, whom he has known since their time with the New York Knicks in 2012. "We were just in our comfort zone," Atkinson said. "We've known each other a long time. That's what makes this harder." ... Brooklyn GM Sean Marks said the team might use the disabled player exception to add another player. The deadline is Jan. 15. "We're looking at all kinds of options," Marks said. "That's one tool we have. It's about being strategic and systematic in our approach. ... F Aaron Gordon (sore left ankle) participated in Orlando's morning shoot-around. Gordon also tested the ankle by jumping rope before the game.