Nets-Magic Preview

By GERARD GALLAGHER

(AP) -- The Orlando Magic are hitting their stride on offense.

It's what Tobias Harris hoped would happen following a recent win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Harris and the Magic will aim for a second win this month against the Nets as they wrap up a four-game homestand Wednesday night.

Orlando (18-13) shot 53.9 percent from the field and led by as many as 26 points during a 105-82 win in Brooklyn on Dec. 14, outscoring the Nets 53-37 in the second half to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.

"We played great basketball today and we've got to keep it going," Harris said afterward. "We've got to play like this consistently."

The offense has.

Starting with the victory over Brooklyn, the Magic have averaged 104.5 points and shot 51.9 percent from the field while going 6-2. That roll continued Monday with an easy 104-89 win over New Orleans as Orlando shot 54.9 percent - its fourth straight game at 51 percent or better.

Nikola Vucevic scored a season-high 28 points to lead Orlando, which is an Eastern Conference-best 12-5 since Nov. 25.

"We got a 9-0 lead at the start of the game, strictly by moving the ball and seeing people," said Magic coach Scott Skiles, whose team has a 2.36 assist-to-turnover ratio the past four games - well above its season mark of 1.57. "At one point, we were 14 for 19 from the field when we had three or more passes on a possession. It's easy to see how good we can be when we're playing that way."

While the offense has thrived, Orlando's defense has wilted some.

The Magic allowed an average of 100.0 points over their past five games, up nearly nine over their previous three.

"We're not exactly sure what is happening," Skiles said. "The fact we've had an uptick in shot-making and scoring shouldn't be a reason to quit on the defensive end and have all kinds of breakdowns. We're trying to teach these guys that it's important to play well at both ends."

The Nets (9-22) rallied from 16 points down early in the third quarter for a 111-105 win at Miami on Monday, just their second victory in their last nine games.

Reserve guard Wayne Ellington tied a career high by making seven 3-pointers en route to a season-high 26 points, and Brook Lopez also scored 26 in Brooklyn's biggest comeback of the season and largest second-half rally in almost a year.

It was the first time in 18 games this season the Nets shot worse than their opponent and won.

Ellington's previous game with seven 3s also came against the Heat on Nov. 11, 2012, when he played for Memphis.

"I get a little hot against the Heat, I guess," said Ellington, who was 7 of 9 from long range.

The teams play each other again in Brooklyn on Jan. 8.

The status of Magic point guard Elfrid Payton is unknown after he missed practice on Tuesday with an ankle injury.