Magic Edge Nets in Opener

By John Denton

July 9, 2012

ORLANDO – Orlando rookie power forward Andrew Nicholson broke a tie with a spinning three-point play with 29.7 seconds remaining as the Magic defeated Brooklyn 92-88 in the first game of the AirTran Orlando Pro Summer League.

Nicholson, the 19th overall pick of the June NBA Draft, scored 24 points in his NBA debut. None were prettier than his spinning post move that he made while being fouled that broke an 86-all tie. Nicholson, who also added 12 rebounds, converted the free that allowed the Magic (1-0) to avoid blowing a 17-point lead.

Al Thornton scored 18 points, while rookie guard Tyshawn Taylor added 17 points for Brooklyn (0-1).

The AirTran Orlando Pro Summer League runs through Friday with four games each day at the Amway Center. The event is closed to the public because of space reasons, but it is being televised by NBA TV.

Nicholson made eight of 16 shots and eight of 12 free throws. Fellow Magic draft pick Kyle O’Quinn, a second-rounder, added 16 points on eight of 10 shooting. Second-year Magic forward Justin Harper scored all 15 of his points in the first half.

Harper came out aggressively seeking out shots, hitting six of seven shots and two 3-pointers in the first half. Clearly more muscular and in top shape, Harper played with confidence, stroked jumpers and finished in traffic.

Harper, O’Quinn (14 points) and Nicholson (10 points, six rebounds) combined to scored 39 of the Magic’s 49 points in the first half as they raced to a 17-point lead at intermission. Orlando hit 52.9 percent of its shots in the first half compared to just 35.4 percent by Brooklyn.

The Magic shot 54.1 percent for the game, while the Nets made 42.9 percent of their shots.