ORLANDO, Fla. _ One night after the Orlando Magic lacked energy and effort in a 32-point loss at home, they showed both Saturday night.
At the end of a hard-fought game with the Denver Nuggets, though, the result again wasn't to the Magic's liking. They lost, 91-87, before an announced crowd of 17,025 at Amway Center.
Nikola Vucevic scored a season-high 24 points and added seven rebounds to lead Orlando (2-4). Aaron Gordon fell just short of a double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds. Evan Fournier (11 points) and Terrence Ross (10 points) were the only other Magic players who scored in double figures.
A free throw by the Nuggets' Gary Harris broke an 81-all tie with 3 minutes, 40 seconds left. The Magic trailed 86-83 when Vucevic was called for an offensive foul with about 52 seconds left.
Jamal Murray drove down the lane for a dunk with 35 seconds to go, giving the Nuggets a five-point lead. The Magic cut the Nuggets' edge to 89-87, but Murray sank two free throws with 5.1 seconds left to seal the victory.
Murray led the Nuggets with 22 points. Nikola Jokic added 20 points.
The Nuggets (4-2) won despite making 37% of their field-goal attempts. They shot 28 more free throws than the Magic, making 28 of 39. The Magic converted on seven of their 11 free-throw tries.
The Magic, who led 45-40 at halftime, never trailed until about four minutes remained in the third quarter. Two free throws by Torrey Craig were part of a 12-3 run to end the quarter that gave the Nuggets a 69-63 advantage.
The Magic, coming off a 123-91 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, never led in the fourth quarter.
Markelle Fultz, acquired by the Magic from the Philadelphia 76ers last February, made his first start for Orlando. He finished with nine points and two assists.
The Magic led by as many as 12 points in the first half.
The Magic played without guard Michael Carter-Williams, who sustained a left-hip contusion Wednesday night against the New York Knicks, for the second night in a row. Guard Melvin Frazier Jr. (left-shoulder contusion) also was not available.
Mo Bamba returned after missing Friday night's loss because of "load management" but fouled out in 10 minutes. He scored one point.
Orlando next will play on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
