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Orlando’s Undefeated Home Streak Ends With 100-91 Loss to Knicks

The New York Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic on Sunday, 100-91, dismantling Orlando as the NBA’s only remaining team with an undefeated home record.

The Magic were 10-0 at home before Sunday’s loss.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged pregame how well the Magic have played at home, and said the Knicks—who boast a top-10 scoring offense—would have to deal with the defense and length of the Magic. Orlando entered Sunday’s contest ranked No. 2 in scoring defense.

The defense that Thibodeau was referencing put pressure on his team throughout the first 24 minutes of play, as the Magic forced 11 first half turnovers and held New York to one of its lowest scoring first halves of the season.

However, Orlando’s struggles from the field would lead to a 51-41 half time deficit, as Jamahl Mosley’s shorthanded squad shot 16-47 from the field and just 3-18 from deep.

Mosley credited his team’s defensive efforts, but acknowledged the impact the second quarter had as well as turnovers.

“Our defense did keep us in this, that was the key to it,” Mosley said. “But again, costly and timely turnovers.”

“That second quarter got away from us and I think that was a big portion of it,” Mosley added.

Despite the collective offensive struggles, The Magic would receive career-high scoring nights from Mo Wagner (32 PTS, 10-15 FG) and Tristan da Silva (20 PTS, 9-17 FG), but it would not be enough as no other players would reach double figures. Meanwhile, New York had four of its five starters score in double figures, as Jalen Brunson led the way with 32 points and Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a 22 point, 22 rebound double-double.

Wagner said that the team has to improve mentally.

“Whether it’s offense or defense, I think we’ve got to improve in our mental side a little bit,” Wagner said. “This is a game of energy.”

“When you put your energy in the right place, good stuff happens,” Wagner added.

Thibodeau credited his team with how they handled the Magic’s defense, but he said there are things they could have done better.

“I liked our rebounding, but I thought we had too many turnovers,” Thibodeau said. “And that’s something we’ve been, a very low turnover team all year.”

“But I thought the intent was good,” Thibodeau added.

The Magic will stay at home to face the Western Conference leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.

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