The New York Knicks secured a convincing 121-106 victory over the Orlando Magic in a thrilling matchup on Tuesday, advancing to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. Led by Karl-Anthony Towns' impressive performance with 23 points and 15 rebounds, the Knicks showcased their dominance on the court.
Jalen Brunson also made a significant contribution to the Knicks' success, scoring 21 points during the game. With this win, New York completed a perfect 4-0 record in East Group A and is now set to host Atlanta in the next round on December 11.
Despite the loss, Orlando (3-1) managed to secure a spot in the quarterfinals as the East wild card team. They will face off against Milwaukee in their upcoming matchup.
Other standout performances for the Knicks included Mikal Bridges with 19 points and Josh Hart, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The team has been on a hot streak, winning their last three games and eight of their last 10.
On the Magic's side, Franz Wagner led the scoring with an impressive 30 points, while Moritz Wagner contributed 20 points off the bench. Despite their efforts, the Magic saw their six-game winning streak come to an end against the Knicks.
New York took control early in the game, establishing a 36-26 lead by the end of the first quarter and extending it to a 71-51 advantage by halftime.
Orlando needed to avoid losing by more than 37 points to secure their spot in the quarterfinals, a feat they narrowly achieved despite the loss.
Key Takeaways
Magic: Orlando concluded their successful stay in New York with a 2-1 record against the city's teams. They will return to face the Knicks on January 6.
Knicks: The Knicks displayed a balanced scoring effort with all five starters reaching double figures. OG Anunoby contributed 16 points, while Deuce McBride added 18 points off the bench.
Key Moment
The turning point in the game came when the Knicks built a commanding 31-point lead after three quarters, putting the Magic's advancement in jeopardy. Orlando fought back in the fourth quarter, outscoring New York 31-15.
Key Stat
Orlando's remarkable streak of making at least one 3-pointer in 1,398 consecutive games dates back to March 17, 2007, making it the fifth-longest streak in NBA history.
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