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New York Knicks Post Game: Late Game Woes Doom Knicks Against Orlando Magic

By Kenneth Teape

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89. 38. 83. 27. Final

New York Knicks Post Game: Knicks Late Game Woes Give Orlando Magic A Victory

The game between the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic was void of a lot of star power, as injuries are riddling both teams. That didn’t look like it would hurt the game much in the beginning, as both teams got off to hot starts. The good starts were short lived, as things came to a screeching halt shortly after, making for the game you expected prior to tip off. The loss makes it five in a row for the Knicks, who are going into the All-Star break with a sour taste in their mouth, and plenty of question marks. The next game for the Knicks is Friday, February 20th, meaning this could be the last time we see some players in a Knicks jersey with the trade deadline set for February 19th.

Player of the Game: Jason Smith

With Carmelo Anthony sidelined, the Knicks needed someone to pick up the scoring slack and that man was Smith. Smith had an outstanding first half, scoring 21 points as the Magic’s struggles against power forwards continued. Smith would finish the game with 25 points, one shy of his career high. Smith would also add seven rebounds, giving him one of his strongest lines of the season.

Smith has really begun picking things up for the Knicks, and is looking like the piece they had expected him to be when he signed in the offseason. His ability to knock down mid-range jumpers and make the right decision with the ball in his hands makes him a good piece for the triangle offense.

-Offensive Struggles

The Knicks started the game out extremely strong, making their first six shots and knocking down 9-18 in the first quarter. Things were nowhere near as good the remainder of the game, as the Knicks shot only 29 percent in the second, third and fourth quarters. Without a go to scorer the Knicks had some poor possessions when it mattered most. Smith scoring 25 is nice, but he is not a go-to scorer in crunch time.

A 10-2 run in the fourth quarter by the Magic is what doomed the Knicks, as they went into a shooting slump, as they didn’t make a basket for basically six minutes. That was essentially the difference in a game that was close throughout.

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-Surprise Free Throw Disparity

More often than not, the Knicks are out shot at the free throw line. Their opponent normally makes and attempts more than the Knicks, but tonight that was not the case. The Knicks actually attempted more free throws than the Magic tonight, taking 36 and making 28.

The 28 makes were actually more makes than they had from the field in the game, as they shot only 25-73 overall from the field.

The Magic were no slouches at the line either, making 23-28 of their attempts.

-Paint Dominance

The Magic were able to beat the Knicks in the paint, namely because of Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic recorded his third double-double of the season against the Knicks, getting this one prior to halftime and finishing the game with 28 points and 18 rebounds. He is a force in the middle and one of the up-and-coming centers in the NBA,

Vucevic’s play in the middle gave the Magic a distinct advantage in the paint, as they had a guy to throw it to and get them a basket. He helped the Magic have edges in rebounding 44-39 and points in the paint, 32-16.

Next: Where Could Amar'e Stoudemire End Up If He Is Bought Out?

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