Magic 107, Knicks 99
NEW YORK -- Nikola Vucevic matched his season high with 26 points, leading the Orlando Magic to a 107-99 win over the New York Knicks on Monday at Madison Square Garden.
The 7-foot center shot 13-for-19 from the floor. Small forward Tobias Harris contributed 20 points, and swingman Evan Fournier added 16 points for the Magic (16-12).
Forward Lance Thomas came off the Knicks' bench to match his career high, 24 points. Thomas was 9-for-9 from the floor. Forward Carmelo Anthony added 23 points for New York, which was looking to win five straight games for the first time since an eight-game run from March 5-21, 2014.
A driving layup from Thomas sliced the Magic's lead to 93-92 with 3:24 to play, but Orlando used a 9-2 burst to move its cushion to 102-94 with 1:22 to play. Fournier and Vucevic scored four points apiece in the run.
The Knicks (14-15) were able to get within two points of the Magic lead on three occasions in the fourth, but each time Orlando countered with a basket.
An 11-4 run with seven points coming from Thomas brought New York to 75-73 with 1:24 left in the third, but Tobias buried a 3-pointer with 1:05 to go to move Orlando's lead to 78-73 going into the fourth.
Vucevic (12) and Tobias (11) combined for 23 of the Magic's 26 third-quarter points. Knicks center Robin Lopez had a tough time guarding Vucevic on the perimeter. Vucevic's long jumper over Lopez put the Magic ahead 68-60 at the 5:15 mark of the third.
Fornier scored 10 points in the first half to help the Magic to a 52-46 edge.
The teams traded baskets in the second quarter, but the Knicks were never able to get closer than 33-29 after a dunk from forward Derrick Williams with 7:52 left in the quarter.
The Magic ended the first quarter on a 9-2 run to increase their lead to 29-21. New York trailed the entire quarter.
NOTES: The Knicks were without F Kyle O'Quinn (sprained right ankle). ... G C.J. Watson (sore left calf) was out for Orlando. ... The Magic pledged $1.5 million towards the University of Central Florida's new academic building in downtown Orlando. ... The Magic open a four-game homestand on December 23. ... New York is on the road for seven of its next nine games. ... Magic G Mario Hezonja is second among rookies in 3-point field goal percentage.