Within the NBA, it’s no straightforward process beating the identical group 3 times in a season.
The Magic discovered that the arduous means Thursday night time in opposition to the Warmth after Orlando gained the primary two matchups of the yr however fell at dwelling within the closing seconds to its in-state rival.
Lower than 24 hours later, nevertheless, the Knicks captured their third victory within the month of December alone over the Magic, 108-85, at Kia Heart on Friday night time.
Regardless of a game-high 27 factors from Jalen Suggs, Orlando noticed Knicks All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson (26 factors) and Josh Hart (23) lead New York its sixth straight victory.
Though the Magic had been enjoying on the second night time of a back-to-back, neither group actually separated itself till New York outscored Orlando 22-14 within the third quarter. The Knicks then opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run to take management of the competition for good, with New York followers making themselves heard on the highway.
“We had been doing a fantastic job in that first half of getting the photographs that we wished, executing the appropriate means,” Mosley mentioned. “You could have eight turnovers within the third quarter alone and that’s when the sport ballooned.”
The Knicks (21-10) outscored the Magic 60-34 within the paint. The perimeters face one another a fourth time Jan. 6 in New York.
Earlier than then, the Magic (19-14) wrap up a 7-game homestand Sunday in opposition to the Nets.
Beginning 5
Coach Jamahl Mosley made a change to his beginning lineup when he re-inserted second-year guard Anthony Black into the primary group and moved two-way guard Trevelin Queen again to the bench.
Black opened on the ground alongside Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tristan da Silva and Goga Bitadze in opposition to New York.
Maybe no member of the Magic benefited extra from the lineup change than Suggs. By beginning Black, Suggs didn’t must provoke offense as a lot as in comparison with the night time prior when he turned the ball over 7 instances with simply 2 assists.
That allowed the fourth-year professional to search out extra catch-and-shoot alternatives, which he capitalized on whereas scoring Orlando’s first 11 factors and getting 18 with 4 3-pointers earlier than the break. However he couldn’t keep out of foul bother, selecting up his fifth foul with 6:23 left within the third quarter.
After Suggs notched the primary 11 factors for the Magic, Bitadze scored the following 11. The reserve-turned-starting heart was environment friendly when he made his first 6 photographs from the ground. That included his first 3-pointer of the season after going 0 of 12 from distance through the marketing campaign.
Though Caldwell-Pope totaled 10 factors, he completed 1 of 6 from 3-point vary. The Magic as a bunch shot 30.3% (10 of 33) from distance.
Black additionally discovered himself in foul bother with 4 whereas scoring 9 factors.
The Knicks had 24 factors off 17 Orlando turnovers. The Magic really compelled extra turnovers (18) however didn’t take benefit scoring simply 10 factors off them.
“Similar factor we noticed final night time, turnovers,” Mosley mentioned. “We had been getting the stops that we wanted however we’d come and couldn’t convert on the opposite finish due to simply careless turnovers. That’s the foolish ones that result in straightforward baskets for them.”
Second unit
Queen initially joined Gary Harris, Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. off the bench. Harris returned to the courtroom after lacking 13 straight with a left hamstring pressure.
Isaac was way more aggressive on the offensive finish in comparison with Thursday’s sport vs. Miami. First off the bench, Isaac tried 5 photographs within the opening quarter alone after taking only one shot all night time in 13 minutes in opposition to the Warmth.
Mosley, nevertheless, looked for an offensive reply from his bench and turned to Cory Joseph and Cole Anthony. However none actually emerged as Orlando obtained simply 25 factors from its reserves.
Harris’ return
Following greater than a month off the courtroom, Harris bought on the board with early second-quarter soar shot.
He didn’t rating once more.
Harris performed quarter-hour and added one help.
Rookie watch
Da Silva missed all 5 of his photographs.
After scoring in double figures in 4 of the final 5 video games, the No. 18 decide was held scoreless in opposition to the Knicks in 28 minutes of motion. He added 2 assists and a pair of rebounds.
Jason Beede may be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
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