Sunshine State: Brunson, Knicks Conjure Sloppy Win in Orlando

It wasn't pretty but the New York Knicks fled from Florida with a comeback victory over the Orlando Magic.

For the New York Knicks, Orlando truly was a Magic Kingdom on Tuesday night. 

Though New York trailed for much of its visit to Amway Center, they erased another early deficit to earn a 102-98 victory over the hosting Orlando Magic. A strong fourth quarter for Jalen Brunson headlined the only period where either team tallied at least 30 points and allowed the Knicks (30-26) to escape from Central Florida with a victory in its final game before Thursday's trade deadline.

While it was nothing compared to the 21-point deficit they faced against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, the Knicks fell behind by 10 after a brief two-point lead in the first quarter. The 26-22 deficit at the end of the opening period gave way to New York's lowest-scoring first half of the season at only 40 before Brunson and Julius Randle (22 points, 14 rebounds) opened things up in the final frame. 

Orlando (22-33) was paced by 21 points for Markelle Fultz. They'll face the Knicks one more time on March 23. 

Knicks WIN!

NY rallies from 12 down to beat Magic 102-98 in Orlando.

Brunson: 25 points #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/LH13XLVrDu

— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) February 8, 2023

New York trailed for most of Tuesday's proceedings, seeming destined to waste a strong early defensive effort that wound up allowing less than 100 points for the ninth time this season. The offensive futility was particularly prevalent in RJ Barrett, who returned to the lineup after his bizarre late scratching from Sunday's win over Philadelphia, only to sink only 1-of-7 from the field in the first half.

Though the Knicks never let Orlando fully pull away (the Magic lead summiting at 12 during second quarter action) they had trouble eating away at the hosts' lead. Eight first half turnovers hindered that cause before the Knicks' top scorers Brrunson, Randle, and Immanuel Quickley united for 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field.

Partially sparked by a third period finale that saw Randle and Quickley shrink the Orlando lead to two, the Knicks' toil paid off in the fourth, which saw them score 36. Though Fultz seemed to get Orlando's massive crowd (reported to be the third-largest home group assembled in Magic history) on their side and anticipating victory with a showstopping dunk in the penultimate minute. Such momentum, however, lasted only 15 seconds, as a Brunson drive gave the Knicks a permanent lead. 

Jalen Brunson finds a cutting Jericho Sims for the slam 🔥pic.twitter.com/AvvAsHI9NJ

— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNationCP) February 8, 2023

Brunson would find newly-minted Dunk Contest participant Jericho Sims for, appropriately, a relatively sealing slam on the next possession to put the Knicks up three before free throws eventually created the final margin. Though the Knicks would sink only seven of their first 13 opportunities at the foul line, Brunson and Randle united to hit all six chances in the last minute, giving the Knicks their third win in their last four games. 

The Knicks return to action on Friday night when they wrap up their four-game set with the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fago Center (7 p.m. ET, MSG).

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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