The Lakeland Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, defeated the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, NBA G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, 122-111 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Lakeland and Orlando Magic two-way player, Ignas Brazdeikis shot a blistering 13-19 from the field, including two of three from behind the arch to lead the Magic with 33 points. Fellow two-way player, Admiral Schofield struck first in the game with a difficult drive and finish to set the tone for the Lakeland offense. As a team, the Magic shot over 54% from the field and 46% from deep in one of their best shooting games of the season.
The Magic looked fully in control for most of the first half despite the best efforts of Fort Wayne’s Justin Anderson. Anderson scored 19 of his game-high 38 points in the first two quarters as the Mad Ants struggled to keep pace. Nate Hinton tipped in a Fort Wayne rebound at the second-quarter buzzer to cut the Lakeland lead to five going into halftime.
The second half was all Brazdeikis and the Magic. After not scoring in the first quarter, Brazdeikis dropped 22 points in the third and fourth to help propel Lakeland to the win. Jeff Dowtin posted 21 points and five assists on the night, while Schofield finished with 16 points and six rebounds.
It was a Lakeland homecoming for former Magic players Gabe York and Andrew Rowsey, who returned to the RP Funding Center playing for the Mad Ants. York, a member of the 2018-19 Lakeland squad, scored 21 points on the night. Rowsey, a two-year veteran of the Lakeland Magic, including last season’s championship team, posted seven points and two assists.
The Lakeland Magic head to Grand Rapids to take on the Gold on Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00 PM. Fans can tune in to watch on ESPN+.