Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 100, New York Knicks 91
The Orlando Magic got some great games from their best players, sparking them to a thorough and complete 100-91 win over the New York Knicks.
91. 27. Final. 100. 38
The Orlando Magic needed a more consistent effort and needed to stay committed on the defensive end. So the team made a change to the starting lineup.
The results of that lineup change were still a bit mixed. The Magic had their struggles in this game for sure. They nearly gave away the halftime lead yet again. But each time, they found a way to stabilize and push back for a 100-91 win at Amway Center on Wednesday.
That is not always something the team has done and done well. The Magic pulled through and won.
More impressively, they did it without a crazy efficient offense. The team shot just 39.5 percent from the floor but got a big boost from 32 free throw attempts — 15 from Victor Oladipo.
It was one of Orlando’s most complete efforts as New York shot just 37.3 percent from the floor and failed to get much of any traction in the game. The Magic could be pleased with their work all the way through.
A-. <p>Victor Oladipo was the unfortunate victim of the Orlando Magic’s lineup change, but he did not look any worse for the wear. He was the sparkplug in the second quarter who pushed the Magic ahead and comfortably into the lead. But more than that, he played like Victor Oladipo.</p><p>Oladipo scored a team-high 24 points and had a team-best +14 plus/minus. He wen tto the line 15 times, nearly doubling his season total of 24 entering the game and made 13. The only thing he did wrong, perhaps, was his 5-for-15 shooting.</p><p>What was more important though we he was aggressive in attacking the basket. He got downhill and drew fouls and made shots. The bounce to his step was back for much of the game for the first time this season. Oladipo was finally himself.</p>. SG. Orlando Magic. VICTOR OLADIPO
A. <p><strong><a href=. F. Orlando Magic. TOBIAS HARRIS
C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. B+. <p><strong><a href=
ELFRID PAYTON. B. <p><strong><a href=. PG. Orlando Magic
B-. <p>It is hard to say whether the New York Knicks played a good game or a bad game in this one. It is extremely clear the Knicks are a better team this year than last year. Honestly, Carmelo Anthony alone makes them so. Anthony scored 28 points and made 9 of 17 shots and 13 rebounds.</p><p>Still he was incredibly frustrated all evening. The Magic made it difficult for him and for anyone on the Knicks to get consistent offense. They shot just 37.3 percent from the floor and no one seemed able to get on track outside Anthony and Jose Calderon.</p><p>Kristaps Porzingis did have a strong defensive game, but was taken out of the game offensively for whatever reason. He missed a lot of shots and the Magic did a good job keeping a body near him at all times. The Knicks are in the same boat as the Magic in searching for consistency.</p>. 8-8. 10th East. NEW YORK KNICKS