Magic at Knicks
The Orlando Magic are sliding in the wrong direction with eight setbacks in the past 10 games. The Magic aim to reverse that trend when they visit the New York Knicks on Thursday in the finale of a three-game road trip.
Each of Orlando's last five defeats have been by double digits, including Wednesday's 116-100 loss to the Boston Celtics. "It's a misleading final score, obviously," Magic coach Steve Clifford told reporters, referring to the club being outscored by nine in the final stanza and outrebounded 41-39. "That game was well within where we needed it to be. We have to make some plays. ... We can't have 17 turnovers and then the rebounding. We've got to start rebounding again." New York has won back-to-back games, both on the road, and three of its last five while showing signs of improvement. However, forward Marcus Morris, the team's top player this season, has been mentioned often as a target of other teams prior to Thursday's trading deadline.
TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: FS Florida, MSG, NBA TV Canada
ABOUT THE MAGIC (22-29): Shooting guard Evan Fournier matched his career high of six 3-pointers and scored 26 points versus Boston while power forward Aaron Gordon added 23 points and 10 rebounds but the other three starters combined for just 19 points. "We played better," Fournier told reporters afterward. "It's not just about stops. If we get rebounds, we win. If we eliminate turnovers, we win. Those mistakes, they just can't happen." Point guard Markelle Fultz had just four points and five assists against the Celtics after registering 12 points and a career-best 14 assists in Monday's 112-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (15-36): Morris has scored 20 or more points in six of the past seven games, including 28 in Saturday's win over the Indiana Pacers and 26 in Monday's triumph against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Morris is averaging a career-best 19.6 points - which also leads the Knicks - and is shooting a solid 43.9 percent from 3-point range. Point guard Elfrid Payton recorded season highs of 17 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds against Cleveland for his first triple-double of the season and 17th of his career.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Magic have won seven of the past nine meetings, including a 95-83 home victory on Oct. 30.
2. Orlando reserve swingman Terrence Ross scored 18 points against Boston and made three 3-pointers to move over 1,000 for his career - he has 1,001.
3. New York SGs Reggie Bullock and Damyean Dotson as well as C Mitchell Robinson are hoping to be available despite batting illnesses.