The Nets already have a chance to redeem the Magic for their loss in Brooklyn

An interesting change to the NBA schedule to reduce travel is occasionally playing the same team in two consecutive games at the same location.

The Nets have already done that once on the road this year, with back-to-back games against the Knicks at the Garden, and they’ll get an immediate opportunity to face the Magic again on Sunday afternoon at Barclays Center after suffering a convincing loss at home two nights earlier .

“They brought the fight to us and that leads to loose balls finding their hands and threes going down. We understand that and we understand that it’s a blessing to see them again on Sunday,” Nets forward Cam Johnson said after Orlando’s 123-100 win. “We have to beat them, we have to set the course and trust in it.

“We have to get through this, look at this game and come back with the mindset that we have to fight.”

The depleted Nets (9-11) were without top scorers Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Dennis Schroder (personal reasons), among other rotation players. But first-year coach Jordi Fernandez’s team also committed 20 turnovers (leading to 34 Orlando points) and attempted just 29 shots from 3-point range in its return to Brooklyn after an encouraging 3-1 road loss.

“Certainly, especially when a team beats you like that, you want to see them again,” Jalen Wilson said. “You might not see them for a few weeks or a month. Luckily we can see them in a day or two.

“So it’s nice to see them again, know what we did wrong, correct it and just play our game. … We need to correct what we did wrong and fix it.”

Thomas, who is averaging 24.7 points per game, is expected to miss three to four weeks following his injury Monday at Golden State. Johnson noted that Schröder’s absence was “big” because of his versatility.

“Just the energy he brings to the game, what he can do, how he can play. It’s an important part of our work,” Johnson said. “Today there is not that much difference between the scoreboard and the score sheet. You see the field goals, field goals attempted, rebounds, 3-pointers, 3-point attempts, they were just ahead in all of those categories.

“And then 20 turnovers for what, 34 points? That’s a 20-point swing right there. So there are things we can clean up. But I think the foundation of what we do is intact and needs to be where it needs to be. We just have to clean up the rest and continue to be competitive, and that’s all.”

Led by Franz Wagner’s 29 points, the Magic improved to 14-7 overall despite the absence of All-Star big man Paolo Banchero since late October due to an oblique tear.

Still, Friday’s game marked the sixth different starting lineup in as many games for the Nets, including the first NBA start for guard Tyrese Martin. and a season-high 22 points in 34 minutes off the bench for veteran reserve Shake Milton.

“It’s a ‘next man up’ mentality,” Johnson said. “Everyone knows who we are and what we want to be. The coaches have confidence in all the boys in our squad, as well as all the players. A lot of teams are going through a lot of things right now, and that’s part of being in this business.

“I think everyone who played (Friday night) showed up and competed. We just need to take it a step further as a group and be a little better connected.”