A big cold snap at Madison Square Garden, where the Magic came to cool down the atmosphere at the end of a dazzling comeback in “money time” to blow the Knicks to victory on the wire.
The locals had (again) started well, with once again OG Anunoby in the role of detonator and Miles McBride to create the first gap on two 3-point baskets (18-11). The Magic immediately responded, with the Houstan-Okeke pair at 3-points and the Anthony-Ingles-Banchero trio (24-24). The roles were reversed in the second quarter, with Orlando in the role of the hunted after being up to 6 points ahead following a big pass from Wendell Carter Jr (35-41).
OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Donte DiVincenzo took turns at the mark to bring the locals back into the game and put the New Yorkers back in the lead at the break (52-50), but the fight looked intense for the rest. It was, much more than Tom Thibodeau's troops could imagine.
Julius Randle had nevertheless set the tone upon returning from the locker room with two 3-point baskets, then imitated by Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride, before passing a 2+1 with forceps to give his team an 11-length lead (74- 63). But the hardest part was still far from over. True to his reputation, Orlando didn't give up until the end and ended up being rewarded.
The Floridians refused to give up, like the big dunk in transition then the lay-up from the incisive Markelle Fultz, or the basket at the buzzer in the third quarter by Joe Ingles (78-73). Then, while OG Anunoby made MSG roar with pleasure one last time with another 3-point basket to bring the score to 88-81, the Magic finally succeeded.
Jamahl Mosley's men in fact passed a 13-1 which completely shut down the New York enclosure and froze its players! Cole Anthony was the great instigator of this victorious run, putting his team in the lead with a “clap”, before handing over to Paolo Banchero for two decisive baskets under pressure. While the New Yorkers missed everything, including four precious free throws, Wendell Carter Jr had the nerve to secure the victory with a final basket. In total confusion, the Knicks then had to face the facts and lose 98-94.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Knicks collapsed! Tom Thibodeau's protégés simply lost their footing when Orlando raised their voice. By sending bricks at all costs, by freezing their attacking game, without forgetting big air gaps on the free throws which came to bear witness to this sudden excitement. Conversely, the Floridians smelled the smell of blood and did not tremble as they finished off their opponent. We had not yet seen the Knicks take such a gamble in the last act this season, and for good reason, they remained on 19 victories in 19 games when they started the last act in the lead in the score.
– Julius Randle too lonely. Deprived of Jalen Brunson (calf), the Knicks found themselves in great difficulty when they had to find someone to stop the bleeding at the end of the match. Usually, it is the leader who takes charge. In his absence, a great Julius Randle would have been needed to compensate. However, the interior had too much waste in its game (5/18 shooting) to hold the team on its shoulders alone. At the finish, it could have passed, but a bit of serenity was missing at the end to ensure it lasted until the end.
– Hello from Cole Anthony. A native of New York, Greg Anthony's son still loves playing at MSG and took advantage of this new visit to remind him of it. Aggressive at the best moment, he was the detonator of his team's dazzling comeback by going for points which ended up instilling doubt in the opposing heads. Author of 10 of his 15 points in the last quarter, and also two assists, he was also the one who put Orlando in the lead with an offensive rebound converted into a tap. The final dream for him, with victory at the end as well.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
