Magic take down Knicks in Eastern Conference clash
The Orlando Magic beat the New York Knicks, 117-108, at the Kia Center on Friday.

The two teams stayed competitive in the first quarter with the Knicks (17-14) taking a three-point lead after the first 12 minutes. However the Magic (19-12) won the second quarter, 29-15, to take an 11-point lead into halftime. Orlando managed to extend their lead to 20 in the third quarter, but New York went on multiple, small runs in the final quarter to cut the deficit to six. The Magic managed to trade buckets for the final four minutes of the frame to close out the game and capture their third win in four games, while the Knicks have now lost three of their last four.

Julius Randle led the Knicks with a game-high 38 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Jalen Brunson shot 4-for-15 from the floor and made all 12 of his free throws to finish with 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. RJ Barrett added 19 points, six rebounds and two assists while Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in seven points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Immanuel Quickley led the bench with 12 points over 28 minutes of play.

Three of the Magic’s five starters finished with 20-plus points. Franz Wagner led Orlando with 32 points, nine rebounds, two assists and four steals. Paolo Banchero registered his seventh double-double of the season with 29 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Jalen Suggs had his second-straight 20-point outing and finished with 21 points and six assists, while Goga Bitadze chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Cole Anthony led the Magic bench with nine rebounds, five assists, two rebounds and two steals over 23 minutes.

With Friday’s game in the books, both teams will hit the road for their next game. The Knicks take on the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, while the Magic start their four-game West Coast road trip against the Phoenix Suns on New Year’s Eve on Sunday.
Posted on: 12/29/2023 7:07 PM
New York Knicks
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Orlando Magic
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