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Hey that was pretty fun! The Magic showed up to Madison Square Garden kinda ragged, so the Knicks balled 'em up and mopped the floor with them. But for a stupid mini-run in the third quarter fueled by a play in which the refs seemed to arbitrarily award Aaron Gordon 19 free throws, the Knicks dominated the action. Kurt Rambis played something approaching a sensible rotation, and he got a dynamic if not accurate game from Carmelo Anthony, a fine Kristaps Porzingis performance, and very solid contributions from everyone else, right through the bench. A few things to look at:
Jose Calderon started the game super hot and kinda stopped shooting after that, but it was lovely to see him find some range early:
.@JmCalderon3 on @TheGarden w/ 10 of the #Knicks 19 points. NYK leads ORL by 4 in the 1Q. #NYKvsORL pic.twitter.com/LbAEHrO6FO
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 27, 2016
Jerian Grant got to play! He had his moments, particularly running the pick-and-roll with Kristaps:
Grant and Porzingis pick-and-roll out of delayed transition.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) February 27, 2016
Do. This. More. Often. pic.twitter.com/tUazHKqvRY
Grant and KP pick-and-pop results in a open jumper. pic.twitter.com/RNADbkQiq2
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) February 27, 2016
Porzingis had a lovely, easy offensive performance overall, thriving a lot by just filling space and finishing:
.@kporzee with the putback! #Knicks cruising here @TheGarden w/ a 50-33 lead in the 2Q. @kporzee: 8p. #NYKvsORL pic.twitter.com/j8NMXT9dMO
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 27, 2016
REPLAY: @carmeloanthony w/ the sweet dime to @kporzee! #Knicks lead 84-71. #NYKvsORL pic.twitter.com/e22CriE2D3
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 27, 2016
The TD pass from Afflalo to @kporzee! KP w/ 16 & #Knicks up 19! #NYKvsORL pic.twitter.com/TL5dTIWzIC
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 27, 2016
And while the rim didn't treat him well, Melo looked particularly light on his feet. That pass up there ^^^ was gorgeous, and so were these moves to get to the basket:
Good game, Knicks. Keep doing that if you can!