Nuggets Coach Michael Malone 'Hates' Playing Magic

The Orlando Magic gave the Denver Nuggets two tough games during the regular season.

Jeremy Brener | Jun 11, 2023

In this story:

Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Denver Nuggets are one win away from an NBA championship against a team from the Sunshine State.

The Nuggets came to Florida and won both Games 3 & 4 to take a 3-1 series lead against the Miami Heat. The wins gave the Nuggets a 3-1 record in Florida this season, notching the two Finals wins, and the regular season victory against the Heat. However, there was one game the Nuggets didn't win in Florida, an early February affair against the Orlando Magic.

In both games this season, the Magic played the Nuggets well, and head coach Michael Malone acknowledged that in a run-in with Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero during Denver's trip to Miami.

“Hate to play against you guys," Malone told Banchero. "Everytime you play Orlando it’s a dogfight, everytime...”

The Magic gave the Nuggets a good fight in both of their meetings this year. Orlando nearly won the first meeting back on Jan. 15, but lost on a Nikola Jokic three just before the buzzer.

The Magic got revenge a few weeks later in Orlando, pulling out a 115-104 win against the Nuggets at Amway Center.

The Magic's success against the potential NBA champions this season is something Orlando should take and build with. It shows that Orlando isn't far off from where it wants to be and that it can compete against some of the NBA's best.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published Jun 11, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.