Preparing for the Knicks semi-home game (yes, that many New Yorkers in the Amway), I wondered how the Magic would rebound after two close losses and too many mental what-if’s. Will the Magic Mini’s (players not classified as biggies) get paddy-whacked or will the little ones knock the Knicks off their kingdom?
With two seconds teasing tip, and back-dropped beneath a split-partisan crowd, anticipation no longer relaxed frivolously.
Controlled with pint-sized resistance, the Knicks missed a ten-footer first. The Magic’s Afflalo held his side of the bargain and netted a ten footer of his own. Another miss by the Knicks; another net by Nicholson. Camby scratched the ticket first for New York and, two minutes later, the Magic held the opposing team hostage to an eight to two lead.
Feeling stoked, Nelson hit the first three of the game, only to return ten seconds later for his second three. New York, sensing the slide, taxied for a timeout at the 9:07 point, down 14 to 2.
Back from their pep talk, the Knicks’ Anthony netted his own 12 footer from the side. After a sloppy turnover, Anthony shortened the lead to 8 with a put-back at the rim.
With the Magic up 21 to 11 after 6 minutes of play, the Knicks called for another sideline meeting. Back after 20 seconds, New York missed two in a row while Afflalo bullied his way by imposing strength and flexibility.
Stoudemire entered the game with four minutes remaining in the first. Seconds later, Chandler hooked a three-footer to call his own. Within the following 90 seconds, New York tightened the gap to find themselves down by seven.
After the end of the initial, Orlando led 36/27:
- Nelson steered all scorers with 12
- Fueling the lead, Orland hit three out of six three pointers
- Magic shot an impressive 62 percent from the field
- Largest lead of 12 by Orlando
Spoiler alert: When excelling in the first, Orlando has a tendency to allow opposing teams to come back, often with unpleasant results.
With 36 minutes to go and a smoldering shooting percentage, the second quarter began with a passing turnover by the Magic. New York returned the favor with two of their own and, before Dorothy could click her heels three times, the Magic regained their fairy-tale ten point lead.
Halfway through the second, Orlando decided to loosen the clasp and allowed New York to cut the advantage to five.
New York took their first lead, 49/48 with three minutes remaining in the second quarter. After a quick turnover, their first lead was not-so quietly stretched to six after thirty additional seconds of play (thanks to poor guard play on the Magic side of the equation—where are those Mini’s when we need them?).
Reeling from a reversal of fate, Orlando found themselves behind 55/59:
- Nelson cooled down, ending the half with 16 total points
- Turkoglu looked lost, after 12 minutes on the court he missed all field shots, ended up with one point and two turnovers
- Carmelo Anthony led all with 18 (can you say MVP?)
Magic introduced the ball to begin the second half. After a quick miss by Vucevic, Nicholson grabbed the offensive and the ball. Seconds later, Chandler acknowledged an alley-oop for a lenient basket. Matching first half intensity, Orlando appeared to be operating a strategic keep-it-close approach.
After a flurry of hot shooting by the Magic Mini’s to conclude the third, Orlando’s tactic proved to be beneficial and led 89/81:
- Nelson and Afflalo combined for 49 to lead all dynamic duos
- Turkoglu sat out the third quarter, a wise move
- Carmelo led all scorers with 24
The Magic Mini’s played well during the first and third quarters. Up by eight, the burden to bring it home rested clearly on their shoulders.
The fourth opened with both teams hitting two and Turk on the court. As if by script, Turk forced the point, his shot fell short and allowed Stoudemire to decrease the Magic lead to five. In time-warp fashion, Turk threw up a three-point air-ball… surprised? There is something to be said about consistency!
Orlando fans chirped the boo-birds to no one listening.
Up by three and sensing a changing tide, the Magic called a timeout with 9:13 remaining. Three minutes into the future, both teams teetered at the 97 mark.
The final six minutes had the officials receiving plenty of New York boo support as multiple calls seemed to be made up and pro-Magic until McRoberts was called for an obvious technical foul. On the other end of the court, Novak hit the freebie and, with four minutes to play, the Knicks found themselves up by four and with the ball.
After a cheerleading timeout session, Carmello missed a 20-footer whereas Vucevic tossed in a three footer, cutting the lead back to two. Seeking retribution but finding none, Redick’s three-pointer fell short, Carmellos turn around kissed net; New York up 106 to 102 with 127 ticks remaining.
Kidd drilled a three-pointer on the wing. With 105 ticks on the clock, the Knicks secured a 109 to 102 advantage. Rebooting with a time out, Orlando reentered and feeling refreshed only to have Reddick shamelessly. Knicks neglected to take full benefit while Afflalo responded with an easy two… Magic down by five. With 44 ticks left, Knicks knocked in one from the wing.
Sensing defeat, many of the sold out crowd began their exodus. After an untidy pass, the Knicks received the ball on the side. Fueled by Orlando’s desperation, Kidd was fouled immediately. At the 30 second crunch, free throws were made and the game was, for all practical purposes, over.
In the end, the Knicks’ experience, depth, and coaching staff proved to be too much for the Magic Mini’s.
Final outcome: Orlando Magic 106, New York Knicks 114
On the bright side, if a remake of “The Wizard of Oz” was to be made, the Magic Mini’s can always audition to be a Lollipop.
Looking for a place to call my own, I am
Danny Huffman
West Orlando News Online Event and Career Columnist
Shadow me on Twitter: @dannyatecs
