Brunson & Knicks OUTMUSCLE Magic. NY 100 Orlando 91

December 16, 2024 LouV 2024-25 0

The Orlando Magic have become known for playing a PHYSICAL, defensive brand of basketball under coach Jamahl Mosely — and with their superstar Paolo Banchero and #2 star Franz Wagner both out with injuries, they double-downed the physicality on NY, with Jalen Suggs and others HAMMERING Jalen Brunson and other Knicks all evening.

But Jalen Brunson and the Knicks were up to the task — hammering back. Brunson scored 31 points and handed out 5 assists to lead NY to the 100-91 win in Orlando on a Sunday night. Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points, 22 rebounds, and 5 assists.

NY took control in the 2nd quarter, led by 10 points at the half, and by 8 to 16 points throughout the rest of the game. Mikal Bridges played a HOUNDING defense, forcing Suggs into 4-19 shooting, and Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, Precious Achiuwa, and Cameron Payne added to a stifling, physical Knick defense.

The game was CHIPPY — with Brunson getting mauled but still scoring against Suggs and other defenders. Brunson and Suggs seemed close to blows late in the game, and Suggs finally went crazy on Brunson with 3:59 left and NY up 92-79 — hammering him with physicality and picking up his 6th foul, fouling out.

“I thought we adjusted; we had some fouls early that sort of changed the tone of the game a little for us,” said coach Tom Thibodeau afterwards. “I thought we responded well after that. It was physical; there was a  lot of contact but I thought we played smart. I want the contact with intelligence — body position and communication; I thought that was much better today. Just continue to focus on daily improvement. It was a hard-fought road win.”

NY improves to 16-10; Orlando falls to 17-11.

1. Physical, Defensive Game from the Start

Games against Orlando are always physical affairs these days with Jamahl Mosely coaching them — they are rated the #3 team in the NBA in defense as well. And with Banchero and Franz Wagner out, Orlando came out more physical than ever, looking to take the game into the mud in an effort to win.

The Knicks didn’t quite match that physicality at first, but ramped up their physicality as the game wore on and matched it head on by the end.

Tristan da Silva and Moritz Wagner were doing the early scoring for Orlando; and Jalen Suggs hit a drive early in the 1st quarter as well. It would be one of the few buckets Suggs would make on the evening, as Mikal Bridges stuck on him and made him miss shot after shot.

2. Towns Mano-a-Mano vs Moe Wagner

The game was tied 22-all after 1 quarter, but NY started to take command in the 2nd quarter as Karl-Anthony Towns started to work inside against Moritz Wagner. The two were going at it mano-a-mano with ROUGH, PHYSICAL play.

Bridges got to the hoop for consecutive drives as NY took a slim lead.

A Wagner drive was followed by a Towns drive was followed by a Wagner 3 was followed by a Towns 3 and NY had a 33-29 lead early in the 2nd. A Wagner drive-and-1 was followed by a Towns drive and it was 35-32 NY.

 

“Karl-Anthony Towns continues to not just solely rely on his jumper nor settle but rather he’s getting to the rim as defenders close, playing with his back to basket,” noted NBA Analyst Ross Kreines. “But what he’s also doing is welcoming and embracing physicality, active on the glass, finding the open man and engaged.”

3. Knicks Take Control in 2nd Quarter

Late in the quarter Brunson started to cook, with a step-back deuce and free throws off a drive sandwiching a Bridges drive, then Towns and Hart hit drives, and OG Anunoby hit a 3 to give NY a 12-pt lead.

Tristan Da Silva hit a drive just before the half to make it a 10-pt game at 51-41 NY — and that 10-pt buffer was what NY used to win the game.

4.  NY Pushes the Lead to 14 in 3rd; Orlando Fights Back

The Knicks pushed the lead to the low teens several times in the 3rd quarter but Orlando came right back each time in the PHYSICAL, Hard-Fought contest as the referees “let them play” under new NBA policy.

A Mikal Bridges drive-and-1 put NY up by 14 at 66-52 with 5:51 left in the 3rd, but Moe Wagner hit two 3’s sandwiching a Cory Joseph drive and it was back to a 6-point Knick lead.

Back came the Knicks — Karl-Anthony Towns with an offensive rebound and put-back inside, free throws off a drive, and then a Brunson floater for an 11-pt Knick lead.

A Precious Achiuwa dunk was countered by Moe Wagner free throws off a drive — and NY led by 8 entering the 4th.

5. Desperate Orlando Makes It EVEN MORE PHYSICAL in the 4th

The Knicks continued to try and pull away early in the 4th, but Orlando came right back.

Orlando, down 8 to 10 points, got even more physical. Suggs was HAMMERING Brunson starting at the midcourt line — and Brunson was persevering.

Brunson hit a huge step-back 3, and Josh Hart hit a drive to put NY up by 13 with 7:36 left.

Brunson hit another TOUGH drive with 6:07 left to give NY a 87-74 lead.

Karl-Anthony Towns free throws put NY up by 16 with 5:22 left. Suggs finally hit a floater, but KAT came right back with a drive and NY was up 16 with 4:41 left.

Suggs followed with a 3 to bring Orlando within 13 with 4:17 left, then went after Brunson defensively like a maniac, fouling him at will — and was called for his 6th foul.

Anthony Black replaced Suggs, and he started to hound and pound Brunson. The refs called fouls and Brunson made his free throws.

NY led by 13 with 1:31 left when Cole Anthony came off the bench energetically and hit a drive, and Tristan da Silva followed with a deuce, but Josh Hart answered with a full-court drive and spin move on da Silva for a drive-and-1.

Orlando would not quit — they made their final run: Moe Wagner with a 3 and a drive to pull Orlando within 8 with 1:11 left.

And again Orlando Hounded and Pounded Brunson, but Brunson made his free throws and the Knicks denied Orlando any buckets in the final minute.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401737902

 

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