ORLANDO — With three days off following that embarrassing loss to the Hawks — when Trae Young gloated on the MSG logo — Sunday night was an opportunity for the Knicks to show proof of heart.
They responded with a 100-91 victory in a physical battle, a performance that was chippy, choppy and messy but good enough to set Tom Thibodeau’s squad back on the better track.
win against the Magic on Dec. 15. AP
The Magic (17-11) were shorthanded and missing their unquestioned two best players due to injuries, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
But they’re also feisty and entered undefeated at home at 10-0.
On Sunday, the Knicks (16-10) were just better.
Behind their point guard-center All-Star combo, they led for the final 34 minutes and finally created separation in the fourth quarter as the Knicks fans stuck around the Kia Center to celebrate.
Jalen Brunson, whose step-back 3-pointer with eight minutes left felt like the evening’s biggest shot, led the team with 31 points on 8-for-18 shooting, getting to the line frequently while going 11-for-14 from the stripe.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 22 rebounds in 43 minutes.
Mikal Bridges was also strong with 17 points on 7 of 11 shooting.
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The testy battle included a flagrant foul from Towns and double technicals issued to Cam Payne and Wendell Carter Jr. following a harmless kerfuffle that spilled into the Knicks bench.
The refs were, for the most part, letting them play.