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Magic to Next Round of NBA Emirates Cup Despite Loss to Knicks

It was a tough night for the Orlando Magic Tuesday night facing the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. While Franz Wagner put up another 30-point performance for the Magic, every member of the Knicks starting five posted double-digits while defeating the Magic 121-106 in their final game in group play for the NBA Emirates Cup.

Lights-out shooting from beyond the arc connecting on 15 of their 35 three-pointers is just where New York got started. They also hit all 20 of their free throws and had a total field goal percentage of 50.6% sinking 43 of their 85 shots. This victory put the Knicks at the top of East Group A going undefeated in group play. However, the Magic still it to the wild card round on the strength of having a +45 point differential. Not only was it the highest among the other second-place teams in the East, but it was second in all point differentials in the conference during group play (the Milwaukee Bucks hat +50 as winners of Group B).

David Banks-Imagn Images

 

A further reason for Magic fans not to cry about this loss is that while it broke a six-game winning streak it’s one they pulled off while missing franchise forward Paolo Banchero. Banchero has been working to return from a right oblique injury he suffered on October 30th battling the Bulls in Chicago. With about a month of recovery time and his being involved in “light activity” with the team, it seems a best-case scenario exists where Banchero might make his return for an NBA Cup Game.

While targeting the December 10th match against the Bucks in Milwaukee might be a bit ambitious, should the Magic advance to the semifinals held four days later or even the final on December 17th, Orlando fans have to wonder if Banchero may return just in time to make some holiday Magic. It would certainly give the team an opportunity get with experience elimination basketball while bringing their superstar back into the fold.

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