Knicks ROMP in Orlando. A FUN Night for All. NY 118 Magic 88

The Knicks ROMPED in Orlando — crushing the Magic by 30 on a Sunday afternoon before a house that was Filled with Knick fans cheering them on loudly with chants of “OBI, OBI, OBI” or “R-J-BARRETT” throughout the 3rd and 4th quarters. It was a complete reversal from the afternoon before, when the Knicks played Schlock basketball in getting routed at Madison Square Garden by playoff-bound Cleveland.

Orlando is not Cleveland. The Magic are one of the worst teams in the NBA. And they looked it.

1. Knicks Take Off in Middle of 3rd

The Knicks jumped out to an early lead and led by 10 at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. But Orlando came back and when former Knick Ignas Brazdeikis hit a 3 with 3:51 left in the 2nd quarter — Orlando took a 45-44 lead.

That was all she wrote for Orlando. The Knicks stormed back with a 21-2 run that extended into the 3rd quarter. The Knicks outscored Orlando 50-15 at one point and held a 94-62 lead heading into the 4th.

2. Knick Fan Fun in 4th Quarter Blowout

The entire 4th quarter was garbage time, as Marv Albert used to call it. NY led by 34 points at one point. Orlando narrowed it down to 20 points, but the Knicks moved it back to 30 points by end of game.

All the while, Knick fans chanted for Obi and RJ. “It was pandemonium,” said one fan, and you could see them all having fun on the broadcast.

Walt Frazier was on a roll on the broadcast as well: “They’re having a good time in That section!” he commented as the cameras panned a particular section of the audience.

“They call him Deuce but he gets a Trey!” Frazier poemed when Miles McBride knocked down the first of two 3’s.

3. Quickley Triple Double

Immanuel Quickley led the attack, and got the first triple double of his career — 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. He had 15 pts, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds with 6 minutes left — and you could see him racing to the rim after missed free throws or shots to grab the last two needed rebounds. As Fred Katz of The Athletic observed, “Lol Quickley flying in front of Obi Toppin to get free-throw rebounds. He knows exactly what is happening.”

4. Barrett Taking It to Rim

RJ Barrett had a bounce-back game from the afternoon before when he was 4-18 from the floor for only 12 points. In this one he was efficient from the start, driving to the bucket for points.

Barrett finished with 27 points on 9-20 shooting (3-9 from 3; 6-8 in free throws) with 5 rebounds and 6 assists. He was a +29.

5. Obi Fantastic — a +46 !

And Obi Toppin was in high gear — 20 points on 7-16 shooting (4-10 from 3; 2-2 in free throws), with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a game high +46!!!

6. Burks Efficient

Alec Burks played a great game — 6-7 from the floor (3-3 from 3 and 4-5 in free throws) for 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and a +44!

7. Robinson a Beast

Mitchell Robinson blocked 5 shots, including a manhandle block of a Robin Lopez hook.

Robinson had 12 points on 6-8 shooting, with 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. He is currently 4th in the NBA in blocked shots per game average, with 1.8.

Jericho Sims played an active game in 19 minutes as backup center. Taj Gibson played 13 minutes.

Etcetera

Cole Anthony left the game after 2 minutes as his injured toe was acting up.

Evan Fournier had a quiet night (2 points in 15 minutes). Quentin Grimes played 15 minutes — he had missed games after injuring his knee. Ryan Arcidiacono got 1 minute of action late, and grabbed a rebound.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360990

 

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