Knicks avoid season sweep, keep Magic to league low 74 points

In a 90s style showcase of defensive dominance at the Garden last night, the Knicks overwhelmed the Magic in a 98-74 victory, effectively halting Orlando’s five-game winning streak.

Jalen Brunson, making a triumphant return to the lineup after a brief setback earlier this week, led the Knicks with a game high 26 points on an impressive 11-19 shooting from the field.

Determined to avenge their previous losses against the Magic and avoid a season sweep, the Knicks dialed up their defensive intensity to unprecedented levels. Holding Orlando to a mere 54 points through three quarters and a total of 74 throughout the entire contest, the Knicks set a new record in the league this season.

“Being short-handed right now, we have to do it with our defense and our rebounding and keep the turnovers down. And so when we fly around and work together like that and we have the type of activity that we did, that gives us a chance to win.”

– Tom Thibodeau

This remarkable feat eclipsed the previous record of 77 points allowed, a mark set by the Trail Blazers in a game against the Thunder back in Juanuary. The last time the Knicks held their opponents to under 80 points was nearly two years ago, on March 9 when they defeated Dallas 107-77. Nearly 12 years ago, they stifled the Wizards, limiting them to just 65 points.

Lowest points allowed by #Knicks since 2012…lowest allowed by an #NBA team since 2020. https://t.co/sVuhnQSDIy

— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) March 9, 2024

Bolstered by their suffocating defense, the Knicks seized control of the game, outscoring the Magic 25-15 in a decisive third quarter surge. This surge propelled them to a commanding 80-54 lead entering the final period, effectively putting the game out of reach for Orlando. Throughout the contest, the Magic struggled to establish any offensive rhythm, shooting a dismal 33% from the field in the second half.

Brunson set the tone early with a scintillating performance, racking up 10 points in the opening quarter, including a pair of clutch three-pointers that propelled the Knicks to an early 21-9 advantage. His night ended in “MVP” chants by the home crowd. Josh Hart also made his presence felt with a strong performance, contributing 19 points to the Knicks’ cause. Additionally, Precious Achiuwa showcased his versatility with an impressive stat line of 15 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks.

Miles McBride provided a much-needed spark for the Knicks’ offense. Logging 19 minutes on the court, McBride made every minute count, contributing 14 points to the Knicks’ scoring effort. Deuce’s strong performance allowed Jalen Brunson to take some rest, playing only 29 minutes while still making a big impact on the game.

Despite Paolo Banchetto’s valiant effort for the Magic, pouring in 23 points, the Knicks’ collective effort proved too overwhelming for Orlando to overcome. With this crucial victory, the Knicks surged ahead in the Eastern Conference standings, reclaiming the fourth spot and edging ahead of Orlando by half a game.

Up-next: Knicks (37-26) will play two crucial home games against the Sixers (35-28), first one on Sunday from 7:00pm