Only one winner but two happy ones, this Knicks – Magic was consistent with “logic”. Tuesday evening, New York signed a fourth victory (121-106) in as many games to finish the group stage of the NBA Cup undefeated and win Pool A. The Magic, in a very favorable tie to finish best second, offers the Eastern Conference wild card and will also see the knockout matches. But the Floridians were scared, and saw their series of six consecutive victories end with a big return to earth.
In a Madison Square Garden full to the brim, the Knicks dictated their law from the start of the meeting. The first quarter is very pleasant with skill on both sides, like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope unleashed with three goals after just over four minutes of play. New York responds by tightening up the ranks defensively, causing six lost balls in six minutes to revive. And as Jalen Brunson takes care of everything in attack, it gives a 15-2 to put his team in control (21-16).
The replacements are in tune. Miles McBride and Cam Payne maintain the pressure, when the Magic struggles to find relays in attack for Franz Wagner, who is very lonely. The gap increases inexorably, especially as Karl-Anthony Towns in turn enters his match and tickles with Mo Wagner. “KAT” is everywhere (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks in the second quarter) and the Knicks collective is performing wonderfully. The last action of the first period is the perfect example of a team in total success: Josh Hart sends a quarterback pass on a throw-in under his basket, Towns does not manage to control it but unintentionally deflects it to Mikal Bridges who scores at the buzzer a long shot with the board!
The big scare of the Magic
Seven players scored between 7 and 14 points and the Knicks lead 71-51 at halftime. And Orlando did not react further in the third quarter, quite the contrary. The Magic are apathetic defensively, taken by the throat by Tom Thibodeau's players. And while coach Mosley's men had a maximum margin of 37 points ensuring them qualification despite the defeat, they found themselves trailing by 36 lengths with a quarter and a half remaining to play (96-60)! The 37 points were even reached for a time on a new prize-winner from Bridges.
The end of the nightmare evening for the visitors, since New York loosens its grip as Thibodeau rests, for once, its holders. Only Josh Hart made a little recovery to get his second triple-double of the season. But the last stand of Mo Wagner and Cole Anthony in the last act was enough to ward off the storm for the Magic, outclassed but who eventually got through it.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– New York will host Atlanta, Orlando will go to Milwaukee. This meeting largely clarified the situation in the East of this group stage of the NBA Cup. The Knicks with the second best overall record and will receive the third, the Hawks, winners of group C. Wild-card, the Magic will go to Milwaukee to seek a place in the last four. This meeting was unfortunate, Boston eliminated.
– First three quarters like a dream for New York. The Knicks are clearly gaining momentum with an eighth victory in ten games. Above all, they seem to have found their balance with more creative solutions and Karl-Anthony Towns who is finding his place better and better. After 36 minutes, New York was 12/23 on 3-pointers, 18/18 on shots, with 26 assists on 38 successful shots.
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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.
