Knicks 94, Magic 93
The Knicks needed a win at home against the Magic, and it got close late, but they came out on top after standout games from Julius Randle, Frank Ntilikina, Reggie Bullock, and more.
You read the byline correctly. I’m dropping the mic for a moment to clickity clack on these keys to recap a game that was way too dramatic for my liking entering a Friday. Let’s get into it!
New York was coming into tonight’s game losing two close, action-packed games by a total of eight points against the two teams that likely will be the matchup of the 2020–21 Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks’ next game isn’t until Sunday evening, which will be home against the Philadelphia 76ers, so they really needed a win to round out the week and get back to .500. They did not have Immanuel Quickley tonight, so the back court was more or less (depending on how you view player positions) Frank Ntilikina, Alec Burks, and Reggie Bullock. Then it was announced that the two players who were going to be the de facto point guards of the evening (Ntilikina and Burks) were starting. I probably should have known from the moment the Knicks’ PR Twitter account tweeted the lineup, this was going to be an interesting game.
The first half was one of those halves where the game is close, but nothing truly eventful was happening to pique complete attention from you. I baked Lucky Charms sugar cookies during it because why the hell not. The Knicks were down 10 early in the first quarter. A potential and hopeful future Knick to many, Evan “Don’t Google Me” Fournier, was cooking the starters like a fine foie gras. The Knicks slowly chipped away at the deficit primarily due to Julius “Magic Johnson” Randle having seven assists, RJ Barrett going 4–6 from the field, and Alec Burks draining two 3-pointers. Randle, despite the prolific passing, was laying down bricks like an elite mason.
And if you thought the first quarter was a snooze-fest, well, the second quarter was like popping in that second melatonin pill when you think the first one did not kick in. Burks and Bullock kept things afloat, while the Magic shot just under 32% and did not make any of their seven 3-pointers. We did get Clyde making another Bacon joke, but that’s the norm with him when Dwayne Bacon makes any basket against the Knicks. New York went into the half up by one.
Now this is where all the fun begins. We enter the second half with me finishing my Lucky Charms sugar cookies and finally getting some entertaining basketball. Ntilikina hits a three for the first time in forever. Then Reggie Bullock hits a three. Then Ntilikina hits another three. And then RJ Barrett hits a three! All of those shots assisted by Magic Julius, FYI. The Knicks are up 11 on the Magic and we are not even halfway to the end of the quarter. New York got the lead up to 15 with under four minutes to go because FRANK NTILIKINA HAD AN AND-ONE POSTER!
It only took three-and-a-half minutes of game time to pass before the fun was ruined. The Magic went on a run to cut the lead to six entering the fourth quarter, and then went on another run to get a 1-point lead with about 10 minutes to go. And the game stayed close for the rest of the way. Magic Julius made some tough, clutch shots and Burks finally made a floater to maintain a two-possession game.
Now this is where the excitement and tension came in! The Magic called a timeout after Burks missed a free throw to grow the lead to five. Interestingly, Thibodeau did not bring in Ntilikina — who was having another incredible defensive game — for defensive purposes. Don’t Google Me got free from Burks (I was not happy with his contest at all) and drained the three. It was a 1-point game. The Knicks called a timeout, Ntilikina came in for Taj Gibson for more ball-handling and free throw shooting, and Reggie Bullock got the inbounds pass, only to dribble himself into a jump ball. All-around disheartening. During the jump ball, Bullock jumped way too early on a terrible toss from a way too tall ref, and the Magic won the possession. Gibson came back in for Ntilikina, and Bullock was guarding Fournier on the last possession of the game.
At this moment — I know everyone was thinking this, too — Knicks fans spoke to themselves via their internal monologue, “Fuck man, Bullock is guarding Fournier. This shit isn’t gonna end well.” Fournier called for the high screen. The other Nikola, Nikola Vucevic, set the screen. Bullock managed to get over the screen well to stay with Fournier, but Fournier did have the step on him. And then, Fournier raised up. Was he going to shoot?!? NO! He raised up for a jump pass to Vucevic. He committed the cardinal sin of passing!!! Bullock jumped with his arms up and was in the PERFECT position to deflect the pass. And to everyone’s amazement, HE DEFLECTED THE PASS AND STOLE THE BALL!!!
Burks eventually got the ball and ran out the clock. The Knicks won! TTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAA KNICKS WON!! The entire team rushed over to Bullock to mob him with good vibes and they celebrated as if they won the title. It was a beautiful sight to see. The Knicks are now 21–21 going into the start of next week against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Observations and thoughts while watching
Julius Randle casually had another triple-double and controlled the game without being efficient from the field. This guy, man. He’s really making us look like idiots for wanting to trade him for Nic Batum over the summer. Don’t listen to blogbois, folks.
As great as Noel and Gibson have been, this defense really misses Mitchell Robinson, and I can’t wait until he gets back.
Barrett is playing at his own speed and pace. It’s wild watching his growth as a player just within this season. The more he plays, the more I’m starting to feel like he’s going to be quite special.
Frank Ntilikina’s defense has been out of this world. He put Aaron Gordan in jail as well as guarding multiple players across the court in one possession. If teams are going to play small to small-ish like the Magic did, you could probably get away with Ntilikina guarding the 4-man for a few minutes. Small ball with Randle, Barrett, Ntilikina, Burks or Bullock, and Quickley, maybe?
If the Knicks have been this competitive without Mitchell Robinson and Derrick Rose for a number of these games, maybe they should not be buyers at the deadline and be sellers. Trading Elfrid Payton and Austin Rivers for some second-round picks to both solidify and free up the 10-man rotation, and get extra assets for an eventual big-name trade whenever the opportunity presents itself, while also getting back Mitchell Robinson, Derrick Rose, and Immanuel Quickley, may be enough to get the Knicks not only into the playoffs, but potentially an above-.500 record. Yeah, I’m a homer. I know.
I’m not worried about Obi Toppin as a player or prospect, but a better floor-spacing 4 to back up Randle makes too much sense.
The Magic, sadly, may have to tank again soon, because I’m not too optimistic about their future, unless they win this lottery.
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