As the ultimate undefeated workforce at house this season, the Magic take nice pleasure in defending homecourt at Kia Heart. That they had gained their first 10 at house, even with out key gamers obtainable.
Orlando, nonetheless, dropped its first house recreation Sunday night time towards the Knicks, 100-91, when Jamahl Mosley’s squad did not handle the ball and fell brief from distance.
In a low-scoring affair, the Knicks (16-10) totaled 17 factors off 15 Orlando turnovers whereas the Magic completed 9 of 30 (30%) from past the arc. All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson led New York with 31 factors.
“We’re not going to make excuses,” Mosley mentioned after the loss. “Our protection did maintain us on this. That was the important thing to it. However once more, pricey and well timed turnovers.
“We’ve received to verify we maintain the fitting demeanor, the fitting strategy [and] the fitting spirit throughout the recreation, although groups are going to make runs,” he added.
Sunday’s contest, which was added to the schedule following the outcomes of the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds, was the primary of a 7-game homestand for Orlando.
Up subsequent for the Magic (17-11) are the Thunder, who face the Bucks in Tuesday’s Cup championship in Las Vegas. Oklahoma Metropolis will then journey to Orlando for a Thursday night time contest on TNT.
Beginning 5
Mosley caught with the identical beginning lineup — Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tristan da Silva, Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze — he’s used since Franz Wagner suffered the identical harm as Paolo Banchero (torn proper belly muscle) Dec. 6 at Philadelphia.
Assigned to assist defend New York’s Brunson, Suggs had a sluggish begin on offense when he missed his first six photographs and began 1 of 12 from the sector, together with 0 of 4 on 3-pointers, within the first half.
Suggs (4 of 19 FG) ended with 9 factors, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and three blocks however he fouled out of the sport with 3:59 left within the fourth quarter.
Solely da Silva scored in double figures amongst Orlando’s starters.
Wagner’s means
Moe Wagner supplied a much-needed increase off the bench for Orlando, and did so in 3 ways.
He completed across the rim (12 paint factors), had success from 3 (4 of seven from distance) and received to the free throw line (8 of 11).
That every one led to a career-high and game-high 32 factors alongside 6 rebounds in 25 minutes.
However Wagner, in his traditional humble self, would have quite gotten the house win.
“Clearly once you have a look at my factors, they’re all coming from different folks creating for me,” the Magic heart mentioned. “You let the sport come to you, play onerous and in case you put your vitality in good locations, good issues will occur. I’m simply making an attempt to enhance myself too, clearly be environment friendly. I work actually onerous.
“However, once more, it actually doesn’t matter. We misplaced. So, no person cares,” he added.
Isaac’s return
Jonathan Isaac, who missed the final three video games with a proper hamstring pressure, was obtainable Sunday towards the Knicks.
Isaac totaled 3 factors in quarter-hour with 3 rebounds and a couple of blocks.
Magic guard Gary Harris (left hamstring pressure) missed his ninth straight recreation after he was downgraded from questionable to out pre-game.
CoJo contribution
Till Sunday night time, veteran guard Cory Joseph had performed simply garbage-time minutes for Orlando in his 14th season as a professional.
However as Mosley looked for stability and a spark on offense, Joseph — whose nickname is a shortened model of his full title — entered the competition on the 6:26 mark of the third quarter.
At level guard, Joseph supplied a gentle handed and directed site visitors for these on the ground for Orlando.
He performed a season-high 9 minutes in aid.
Rookie watch
No. 18 choose da Silva did a superb job shifting with out the basketball, typically slicing to the basket for straightforward factors. As he penetrated the paint with success, he additionally helped unfold the ground with a pair of triples.
Though his shot makes an attempt at instances have been sporadic, da Silva’s effort and intention have been there.
He totaled a career-high 20 factors with 3 rebounds and a couple of assists in 32 minutes.
“Tristan did some excellent issues,” Mosley mentioned. “He was aggressive within the choose and roll, and he stepped into his shot with confidence. The blokes have been on the lookout for him. I favored his aggression on this state of affairs.”
Jason Beede could be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Up subsequent …
Magic vs. Thunder
When: 7, Thursday, Kia Heart
TV: TNT
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