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The New York Knicks’ back-to-back games against Memphis and Orlando couldn’t have felt more different. The Knicks blasted the Memphis Grizzlies 133-120 before losing to the Orlando Magic 124-107.
The Knicks hit the ground running against Memphis, scoring 42 points in the first quarter and 77 in the first half. Their ball movement and shotmaking looked impeccable, as players made all the right decisions. But they showed signs of slowing in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, as Memphis made runs that kept the starters on the floor.
Those extra minutes came back to bite New York as the Orlando Magic bullied them. The Knicks looked sluggish on both ends, playing sloppy offense and lackluster defense. The Magic’s pressure defense never let the Knicks settle, with the only exception being Jalen Brunson. New York attempted its own second-half comeback, but missed key baskets that cost it any momentum.
The double-header showed us how great the Knicks look when they’re rolling, and how far they fall when they’re flat. Let’s look at some individual performances.
