The New York Knicks (13-8) hosted the Orlando Magic (15-8) tonight at Madison Square Garden. The winning team would advance to the next round of the NBA Emirates Cup. Either way, Orlando was virtually guaranteed at least a wild card spot, based on how many points they had accumulated—only losing by 37 or more could knock them out.
The Knicks overcame a strong Magic start with relentless drives and sharp ball movement, flipping a 9-2 deficit into a 71-51 halftime lead. Karl-Anthony Towns dominated inside with a double-double before intermission, while bench players Cameron Payne and Miles McBride fired lightning bolts from their eye sockets.