SVA is your Sports Leader & Source for Pro Basketball …
Photos by LAKELAND MAGIC – SPORTS VIEW AMERICA …
Please check us out on TWITTER …
Check us out on INSTAGRAM …
LIKE & SHARE us on FACEBOOK …
February 11 – The Lakeland Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, fell to the Austin Spurs 104-102 in Lakeland’s season opener at the HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Led by San Antonio Spurs assignment player, Luka Samanic, Austin struck first getting out to an early lead. Tahjere McCall scored eight points in the opening quarter to push the Magic out in front going into the second. The Magic extended the lead behind aggressive play from Jeff Dowtin, who finished the half with 12 points.
After Andrew Rowsey hit an emphatic half-court buzzer beater to end the first half, he exploded for 12 points in the third quarter. Two-way player, Tre Jones, countered with 10 points of his own in the period but the Spurs trailed by nine going into the fourth. Robert Woodard II, a flex-assignment player from the Sacramento Kings, helped the Spurs rally from behind and take the lead late in game. The Magic trailed 99-92 with 1:06 left before a three-point play from Rowsey cut the lead to four. On the next possession, Rowsey hit a transition three to bring the Magic within one point. After exchanging trips to the free throw line the Spurs went on to win 104-102.
Rowsey led all scorers with 30 points, shooting 5-9 from three. McCall posted 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block on 5-6 shooting from the field and 2-2 from behind the arch. Dowtin finished with 14 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals.
Samanic tallied 23 points and 10 rebounds. Woodard II posted 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jones finished with 16 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
The Lakeland Magic take on the Long Island Nets in the second game of their back-to-back tomorrow at 3:30 PM at the HP Field House. The game will be available on ESPN+.
ABOUT THE LAKELAND MAGIC
The Lakeland Magic, based in Lakeland, FL, are the NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic. One of 28 teams in the NBA G League, the Magic completed the 2019-20 season atop the Southeast Division with a 25-17 record. Since their inaugural season in Lakeland, the Magic have won more regular season games than any other team in the NBA G League. Stay up to date on all things Lakeland Magic by following @LakelandMagic on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
