Magic Offense Goes Cold in Home Loss to Knicks

The Orlando Magic's 17-game home unbeaten streak was snapped by the New York Knicks on Sunday night in a 100-91 loss.

New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) shoots the ball over Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) in the second quarter at Kia Center. / Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

ORLANDO, Fla. – For the Orlando Magic, the formula to offense is often simple: Create chances with their defense, then convert on them.

The Magic did that Sunday night, limiting the visiting New York Knicks to just 45.8 percent shooting from the field and forcing 18 turnovers. Seven steals and 11 blocks helped their cause, too.

However, the Magic's offensive chance conversion and shotmaking didn't complement their efforts, and they fell to the Knicks 100-91.

This loss was Orlando's first at the Kia Center this year – it entered the night as the last unbeaten NBA team at home – and snapped a 17-game winning streak on its home floor.

The Knicks also took a pivotal 2-0 lead in the season series, which is significant given the two team's positioning in the East standings.

If offered the possibility of holding the New York to 75 points after three quarters, the Orlando Magic would've accepted without hesitation.

"We're not going to make excuses; our defense did keep us in this. That was the key to it," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said postgame.

Considering the last time these two teams met, it was the same top-three Knicks offense that decidedly had the Dec. 3 matchup won against the Magic's top-three defense without much resistance. The Knicks established a rhythm, then nixed the Magic's ability to do the same, and the contest was over after three quarters.

A different story played out Sunday night when the Magic got the stops and turnovers that are more to their true identity.

But for as many lifelines as the Orlando defense offered, the Magic offense's conversion rate wasn't enough to slug out a victory.

As the missed chances piled up – Orlando generated only 15 points off of 19 New York turnovers – so did the Magic's demeanor.

"We've got to make sure that we keep the right demeanor, approach [and] spirit within the game even though teams are going to make runs," Mosley said. "That's what they do. Basketball is a game of runs. We've got to be able to understand that, sustain it, and continue to play the right way.

"We gave ourselves the opportunity, but again, [in] these situations is when we have to continue to stay the course, knowing that this game, it's a game of runs. There's going to be up [and] downs, but you don't want to ride the wave of emotions of that."

Moe Wagner's career-high 32 points led Orlando's scoring efforts, and rookie wing Tristan da Silva posted 20 points – also a new career-high.

They, however were the only double-digit scorers for an Orlando team that shot just 42.4 percent from the field.

Jalen Brunson led New York's quartet of double-digit scorers with 31 points. As he went to the free throw line multiple times down the stretch, a noticeably split crowd on hand showered him with "M-V-P" chants. Brunson shot 14 free throws in total Sunday, eclipsing the Magic's 13 attempts spread across the entire team.

Jonathan Isaac returned after a three-game absence due to a right hamstring issue and played 15 minutes, scoring three points on just one shot attempt.

This marked the third game for Orlando without both All-Star Paolo Banchero and star frontcourt partner Franz Wagner – each sidelined with torn right obliques. Reserve guard Gary Harris missed his ninth straight game with a left hamstring strain.

Up Next

The Magic meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in Orlando for the first time this season in game two of their seven-game homestand. Tipoff from the Kia Center is at 7 p.m ET on TNT.

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