Magic beat Nets in NBA Cup thriller despite Paolo Banchero's absence

Magic escape with win vs. Nets

Paolo Banchero was ruled out for the game with a groin strain he suffered in the team's previous matchup against the New York Knicks, forcing the Magic to start da Silva in his place. He scored 22 points on 8 of 14 shooting with five 3-pointers in the win.

The Magic struggled to get into a rhythm in the first quarter, surrendering a double-digit lead in the first quarter. However, they began to chip away throughout the game and used their defense to get back in the win column for a third straight game.

The win puts the Magic back over .500 at 7-6 for the first time since the season opener when they went 1-0 to beat the Miami Heat.

The Magic are back in action on Sunday against the red hot Houston Rockets. Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

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