Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau called the Magic “dangerous’’ before the game, but they only seem dangerous against the Knicks in Manhattan.
As the Knicks got sloppy down the stretch, they couldn’t hold off a rebuilding 3-11 club, losing in a 104-98 disgrace at the Garden. It’s their second loss to the Magic at home in three weeks.
The Knicks starters were again mediocre, and despite Obi Toppin’s excellent evening with two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, two sloppy turnovers cost them in the end.
Immanuel Quickley, hero against the Pacers on Monday, threw away a pass that was intercepted by Terrence Ross for a breakaway dunk. And with trusty point guard Derrick Rose had his pass to RJ Barrett picked off by Jalen Suggs that led to a late alley-oop dunk for Wendell Carter.
The Knicks fell to 8-7 — 3-5 at the Garden. Another dagger came when Orlando’s Franz Wagner drove down the lane for a monster slam on Barrett, whose shooting woes continued (0-for-7 from 3).
Toppin was the Knicks’ star with 14 points — 6 of 9 from the field. He came out with 2:00 left for Rose, and the Knicks continued to fall apart. The Knicks shot just 16 of 49 from 3. Julius Randle scored 13 points and was 4 of 10 from 3.
Cole Anthony of Manhattan hit a dagger running banker to give the Magic a four-point lead in the final minute and finished with 15 points.
The Knicks scored just nine points in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter and trailed 72-67 entering the fourth. During one juncture, the Knicks missed eight straight shots with a turnover as Orlando built a 10-point lead.
Anthony sank a 36-foot 3-pointer with one second left in the first half to push the Magic into a 50-49 lead at the break.
The Knicks couldn’t shake a pesky club that beat them at the Garden on Oct. 24 because they were errant from 3-point land (6 of 22) in the first half.
