ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Franz Wagner scored 29 points, bro Mo Wagner added 18 and the Orlando Magic won their home opener, beating Brooklyn Networks 116-101 on Friday night.
Paolo Banchero had 15 points and nine assists after failing to make a field goal in the first half. Wendell Carter had 10 rebounds.
Cam Thomas scored 24 points for Brooklyn, and Dennis Schroeder added 20.
Brooklyn had its biggest lead at 53-49 after Ben Simmons scored the first seven points of the second half.
Takings
Nets: Thirty-seven turnovers and a minus-33 free throw differential made it difficult for the Nets to compete on the road in their first two games.
Magic: With big contributions from their bench in both games, the Magic showed they can win when Banchero isn’t at his best — at least at home. Since March 30, including their first-round playoff loss to Cleveland, the Magic have won eight straight at home while losing seven of eight on the road.
A key moment
Franz Wagner made two free throws with 5:14 left in the third quarter to break a 65-65 tie, opening a 13-0 run during which Simmons went to the bench with his fifth foul. The Nets never got closer than eight again.
Key statistics
After finishing last in the NBA with just 11 3-pointers per game last season, the Magic hit 33 in their first two games while shooting 41.8%. Ten players hit at least one 3-pointer against the Nets.
Later
The Magic play at Memphis on Saturday night. The Nets will play their home opener Sunday evening against Milwaukee.
