Magic forcing MPJ to dribble and pass will take away Nets best scoring option

Orlando can't allow Michael Porter Jr. to take jump shots

Jan 7, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) controls the ball against Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Orlando has a prime opportunity to bounce back for a morale-building win with the bottom-five Brooklyn Nets in the building.

The 25-24 Orlando Magic are looking to stack some consistency together, maybe it starts with a focused effort doing what they're supposed to do and beating the 13-36 Brooklyn Nets badly.

With Tyus Jones just salary-dumped for cash considerations, Orlando will adjust its rotation on the fly, possibly bumping up rookie guard Jase Richardson's minutes in the mean time.

What are the keys to Orlando taking care of this Nets team?

2025-26 Orlando Magic Win / Loss Splits

What stands out as the biggest variables?

Winning the margins off EFFORT PLAYS by Forcing Turnovers, Drawing Free Throws, Securing Rebounds = Extra Points/Possessions/Shots

Making more shots and forcing more misses/stops helps too pic.twitter.com/W34LEq8S5r

— Ryan Kaminski NBA (@beyondtheRK) February 5, 2026

3 Keys to a Magic Win

1. Run MPJ off his jump shot, make others beat you

Jan 7, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) controls the ball against Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Michael Porter Jr. put up numbers good enough to make the All-Star team in theory, but the lack of team success did him in.

Porter has been a lights out 3pt shooter and overall scorer all season, doing most of his damage utilizing his relocating 3pt shooting gravity off the ball to stretch the defense and open up the paint for his teammates.

Running Porter off his first look is key, making MPJ beat you by putting the ball on the floor, taking tough shots off the dribble, or passing out entirely will go a long way to taking away Brooklyn's top options.

This Nets team doesn't have many other choices, so make others beat you.

Orlando should send its best defenders at MPJ like Anthony Black, Jonathan Isaac, and Noah Penda to get up under Porter and make him feel uncomfortable getting to his shot release on and off the ball.

2. Win the effort plays to win the margins

Feb 1, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and forward Carter Bryant (11) block out Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

A few differences are noticeable in the stat sheet when it comes to the Magic winning games and Orlando losing them.

The Magic tend to win the margins off effort plays; Magic Wins follow a simple formula: Force Turnovers + Draw Free Throws + Secure Rebounds = Extra Points/Possessions/Shots

Making more shots and forcing the opponents into more misses and stops helps, too.

As Udonis Haslem said, the Magic should embrace being an "ugly" basketball team, as in a team that wins in ugly ways; Orlando is at its best in the mud, in the dirt, playing football on the hardwood.

The Magic must rekindle their tough two-way tenacity, win the margins on effort plays, and making a few more open shots they create would be nice.

Magic Win Loss Splits | MANDATORY CREDIT: Ryan Kaminski/@BeyondTheRK

3. Penetrate the paint with Banchero, Bane, Black, Suggs

Feb 1, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) in the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Nets rank 24th in Blocks and 23rd in Steals, yet sneak into the Top-20 (19th) in Forcing Turnovers as a team.

Brooklyn gives up the 5th most shot attempts from within 5ft of any team.

The paint is wide open for Orlando's drivers to attack at will.

The Magic rely on drives for efficient shots at the rim and drawing free throws, moreso than actually kicking out of them; when Orlando is able to find a rhythm driving, kicking, driving, and kicking off their never-ending handoffs, they tend to create an open look at the rim or beyond the arc.

Banchero, Bane, Black, and Suggs should drive as much as possible in this one, with Brooklyn lacking the defensive personnel to rotate and cover all of Orlando's weapons.

Create easy looks for your best drivers at the rim and your best shooters from deep.