Knicks Too Much For Orlando

Orlando, FL— After a heartbreaking loss last night to the Miami Heat, the Orlando Magic dropped their second straight game as they fell to the New York Knicks this evening 108-85 due to lackluster offense from the Magic and electric plays from the Knicks.

Magic vs Knicks Injury Report

After missing 13 consecutive games Gary Harris (hamstring) returned to the court and played solid in limited minutes for the Magic’s second unit. Orlando would continue to miss Paolo Banchero (oblique), Franz Wagner (oblique), and Moe Wagner (knee). 

Paolo Banchero’s Progression

Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley provided a brief update pre-game on Paolo Banchero and his progress getting back to the court.

“It’s very encouraging to see the way in which he’s working. To see his conditioning slowly start to ramp up. You see the guys out there supporting him as they’re watching him go through his workouts. It’s good for the eyes I can tell you that right now.”

Changes in the Starting Five

Orlando made a change in the starting five as second-year guard Anthony Black got the nod over two-way guard Trevelin Queen who had started the previous two games versus Miami and Boston.

“I think our starting five did a very good job to start this game; I just liked the balance of it,” Mosley said of Anthony Black getting the start. “ TQ [Trevelin Queen] has been playing very good basketball and to be able to get that second unit with a little bit of stability in there, without having to bring guys back and forth, I thought that was very important, especially on a back-to-back.”

Jalen Suggs as the Number One

After scoring 29 points against the Heat last night Jalen Suggs put a lot on himself to carry this team and continue being the leader that they need both on and off the court. Jamahl Mosley talked pre-game about how Suggs is continuing to ‘put a lot on himself.

“He’s gonna continue to put a lot on himself because it’s what he demands of who he is and the work in which he puts in—The more he communicates the better it is. I think we have a great rapport when it comes to being able to communicate his growth and continuing to get guys involved. But also still being in attack mode.”

Suggs did just that as he picked up right where he left off scoring the first 11 points for the Magic tonight. As soon as tonight’s contest tipped off Suggs immediately drilled three straight triples and made a beautiful layup around Mikal Bridges. Goga Bitadze was in attack mode early on contributing 11 points and three boards in the first period of play.

Turnovers and Self-Inflicted Wounds

Both New York and Orlando did a good job of matching one another’s intensity level and style of play as both squads went into the halftime locker room tied 54 a piece.

The Knicks began to pull away in the third quarter forcing Orlando to commit eight turnovers and out-scoring the Magic 22-14. 

“Same thing we saw last night. Turnovers,” Jamahl Mosley said of the second half. “We were doing a great job in that first half of getting the shots we wanted executing the right way. You have eight turnovers in the third quarter alone, and that’s when the game ballooned.”

Foul Trouble and Second Half Woes

Jalen Suggs picked up two fouls in the third that would put him at five total on the game and it would sideline him until the 10:31 mark in the fourth quarter. During that stretch, New York would continue to blow this game open.

“I was getting foul calls laying on the ground,” Jalen Suggs on picking up his fifth foul. “The game is high, you can’t allow them [referees] to affect your mood and your attitude—Not gonna change anything. Continue to play, be who I am on both sides of the floor and they just called some tough ones tonight.”

In the fourth quarter, New York would score 32 points which out-scored the Magic’s 31 points in the entire second half. Orlando is having a difficult time finding consistency in shooting the ball from distance, having continuity within certain lineups, and avoiding self-inflicted wounds when committing turnovers. 

Magic Under Pressure

The Magic have now committed 40 turnovers and have shot 15 of 33 (23.8%) from distance in the last two games combined. It won’t win you many games and these last two performances are a clear indicator of just that. 

The Knicks had four starters finish with double-digit points Josh Hart (23), Karl-Anthony Towns (16), Jalen Brunson (26), and Mikal Bridges (17). New York forced Orlando into 17 turnovers and took advantage as it led to 24 points, and they did a good job of running the floor finishing the night with 19 fast break points.

For the Magic, Jalen Suggs finished the night with 27 points while shooting 10 of 20 (50%) from the field and 4 of 6 (66.6%) from behind the arch. Goga Bitadze recorded yet another double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots.  

“It’s not easy,” Jalen Suggs on being the number one option. “I kind of get a glimpse into the mindset and mind frame of what P [Paolo] is going through, what Franz is going through when he’s out there on the floor. It’s been a great learning experience for me.”

Orlando is going to have to correct things sooner rather than later to get back to their winning ways. The Magic will have Saturday off as they will prepare to play the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon at the Kia Center, and aim to get back into the win column.