Vucevic’s big night not enough
A stellar performance by Nikola Vucevic wasn’t enough to get the Orlando Magic past Kevin Durant, James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant poured in 42 points and Harden recorded a triple-double as the Nets held off the Magic for a 122-115 win Saturday night at Barclays Center.
Orlando (6-7) lost its fifth straight game and fell below .500 for the first time this season.
Vucevic posted 34 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals during arguably his most complete game of the season.
Terrence Ross finished with 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting and ended a three-game drought without a 3-pointer while rookie Cole Anthony scored 16 points for the Magic.
While Vucevic was 6 of 12 from behind the arc, the rest of the Magic were a combined 8 of 34 (23.5%).
Harden posted 32 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists during his Nets debut. Harden and Durant combined for 27 of Brooklyn’s 38 points in the fourth quarter.
The Nets made their first five
shots of the final quarter as they finally created some separation behind their superstars. Durant and Harden combined for 17 straight points during one stretch as Brooklyn built an eight-point lead at 96-88.
A Vucevic 3 cut the lead to 105-102 with 5:31 to play, but the Nets responded with a Bruce Brown layup and a Durant 3.
After another Vucevic 3 made it 110-107 and Orlando got a stop, Anthony’s jumper from the corner went in and out on the Magic’s ensuing possession.
Harden sank two free throws to push the lead back to five and Orlando had some late chances — like a wide-open 3 for Ross — but could get no closer.
The Magic are set to take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden Monday as part the league’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day schedule. The game will tip off at noon and will be broadcast on Fox Sports Florida.