Knicks Can’t Defend Magic In Amway
You didn’t miss anything different from the New York Knicks if you just so happened to skip Sunday’s game in favor of the NFL.
The Orlando Magic blitzed the New York Knicks 131-117 on Sunday evening at Amway Arena to send the Knicks to a fifth consecutive loss.
The Knicks couldn’t slow talented and athletic Magic forward Aaron Gordon, who scored a team-high 31 points in 29 minutes of action as the Magic beat the Knicks for the second time in eight days.
Nikola Vucevic flirted with a triple double for Orlando as he recorded 28 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Orlando jumped out to a blistering start with 44 points in the opening period as they opened up a 13-point lead at home over the visitors after one.
The Knicks battled back in the second quarter and sliced Orlando’s margin to one by halftime as they went into the locker room trailing 67-66 after a dreadful first quarter of defense.
While the game would remain competitive the rest of the way, Orlando played with a comfortable lead throughout as Gordon and Vucevic paced the team while the Magic hit 13 3-pointers on the night.
Tim Hardaway Jr. cracked the 30-point plateau for the second time in as many games as he scored 32 points off the bench for New York.
Trey Burke would also have a big night as he scored 31 points in 29 minutes of action.
Hardaway Jr. came off the bench for the first time this season as coach David Fizdale opted to go small in this one, inserting Mario Hezonja and Allonzo Trier into the starting lineup.
The bench would outpace the starters by a wide margin in this one as Allonzo Trier and Mitchell Robinson combined to play only 22 minutes.
Whether that becomes a trend or not remains to be seen, but the Knicks defense was as listless in this one as they were last Sunday in a 115-89 loss to Orlando at the Garden.
Five consecutive losses ties their season-high to this point as they drop to 4-13 on the season.
The New York Knicks will return home to welcome the visiting Portland Trail Blazers to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
What are your thoughts on David Fizdale’s latest lineup changes? Leave your comments below!