DENVER _ For most of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, the Orlando Magic looked as if they were still feeling the effects of Thanksgiving dinner. About the only Orlando player who didn't appear sluggish was Terrence Ross and his 18 points off the bench weren't nearly enough.
The Magic never really threatened in this one, starting the first of a five-game Western states swing with a 112-87 loss, falling to 9-10 this season.
The only real sign of life from the Magic came in the first quarter when they erased an early eight-point Denver lead and pulled ahead 15-13 with 3:36 left until the second quarter. That, however, was the Magic's only lead of the game.
Ross tried to pick up the pace in both the second and third quarters, but with little help from his friends. The Magic shot 38 percent on the first half (23. 5 from 3) and it didn't get much better from there. Ross, however, hit his first seven shots of the game, missing for the first time in the fourth quarter with 7:48 left in the game.
Magic coach Steve Clifford said prior to the game that everyone was healthy, so much to the surprise of many, Jonathon Simmons did not play until the final five minutes of the game when the Magic emptied the bench.
Nicola Vucevic had 16 points and eight rebounds for Orlando and Aaron Gordon scored 14. Denver was led by Trey Lyles with 22 points. Much to the chagrin of Clifford, the Magic were out-rebounded 45-34.
Evan Fournier, returning to the town where he started his NBA career, did not make a shot until the third quarter and was 2-for-10 with just five points.
The Magic had the Nuggets within reach headed into the fourth quarter down 12, but they couldn't get anything going. The Nuggets started the final period with a 10-5 run and the margin continued to balloon, sending the Magic off to Los Angeles to face the Lakers and LeBron James on Sunday.
