Final
Knicks edge Magic; Anthony sprains ankle
Dec 24, 2013 - 5:00 AM Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Iman Shumpert relentlessly hustled back on defense as Glen Davis rumbled down the floor in transition with a clear path to the basket.As Davis was about to go up for the layup, Shumpert knocked the ball away.
With Carmelo Anthony exiting earlier in the third and the New York Knicks clinging on to a seemingly insurmountable lead at one point, it was just the play they needed.
Anthony netted 19 points before leaving with a left ankle sprain and the Knicks edged the Orlando Magic, 103-98, on Monday night.
New York led by 24 at the half and by as many as 25, but a Jameer Nelson layup pulled the Magic within 97-93 with 1:24 left. Davis then stole a pass from Beno Udrih, but Shumpert chased him down from behind. Davis then missed a jumper and Udrih hit six foul shots down the stretch to seal the outcome for the Knicks.
"All teams make runs and they made a hell of a run," Knicks head coach Mike Woodson said of Orlando's comeback.
Anthony left midway through the third quarter after he twisted his ankle on Nik Vucevic's foot following an offensive rebound attempt.
"We'll evaluate him tomorrow," Woodson said.
J.R. Smith had 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyson Chandler scored 10 points to go with 13 boards for New York, which has alternated wins and losses over its last eight tilts. They've beaten the Magic eight straight times.
Raymond Felton returned following a six-game absence due to a left hamstring injury, but he exited Monday's contest with a right groin strain.
Arron Afflalo led Orlando with 26 points and Davis chipped in 20. The Magic have dropped 11 of their last 13 games.
After Victor Oladipo's three-point play pulled the Magic within 33-32 with 9:38 left in the second, the Knicks used an elongated 26-5 run to break the game open.
Smith and Anthony each netted seven points during the surge, which Felton capped with a pair of free throws for a 59-37 spread with 2:56 remaining. Anthony knocked down a jumper at the buzzer to give New York a 65-41 margin at the break. The Knicks outscored Orlando 36-14 in the second.
Orlando went on an 18-4 swing after Anthony left to get within 76-70 and trailed 84-76 heading into the fourth.
"We responded to their hit in our face," Orlando head coach Jacque Vaughn said. "I think we were the aggressors in the second half."
New York led 29-27 after a quarter of play.
Game Notes
Felton had 13 points and four assists ... Nelson finished with 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds ... The Magic held a 42-26 points in the paint edge.
Dec 23 9:36 PM- NEW YORK: 84
ORLANDO: 76
End of 3rd
Dec 23 8:56 PM - NEW YORK: 65
ORLANDO: 41
Halftime
Dec 23 8:12 PM - NEW YORK: 29
ORLANDO: 27
End of 1st
Dec 23 7:37 PM - NEW YORK: 0
ORLANDO: 2
1st Quarter - 11:31
Dec 23 7:12 PM
Related News
- Morning Knicks 6/16: A 2021 Free Agent for Knicks Fans to Watch, WNBA's Plan to Start the Season, and More Jun 16
- Morning Knicks 6/15: Knicks Hire Alex Kline, Players Concerned About NBA Return, Atkinson Still Has a Chance, and More Jun 15
- Checking In With The Knicks Via Social Media - Week of June 11 Jun 14
- Could Kira Lewis Jr. Solve The Knicks' Point Guard Troubles? Jun 14
- 5 Players the Knicks Could Take a Flier On Jun 13
- Knicks Prospect Breakdown: Tyrese Maxey Jun 13
- Knicks to Add Alex Kline to Scouting Department Jun 12
- Morning Knicks 6/12: Lillard Thought He Was Going to Be a Knick, Spike Lee Comments on James Dolan, and More Jun 12
- Why Knicks Fans Should Have Their Eyes on the Oklahoma City Thunder Jun 11
- Morning Knicks 6/11: Knicks Want Big Who Can Shoot, Who to Watch in the NBA's Return, and More Jun 11
- NBA return: Why Knicks fans should be watching the Philadelphia 76ers Jun 10
- Morning Knicks 6/10: Knicks Finally Release Statement on George Floyd, Thibodeau's Potential Fit in New York, and More Jun 10