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Knicks Wave Magic Wand and Make Orlando Disappear in OT

Madison Square Garden breathed a collective sigh of relief Monday night as Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks to a 113-106 victory over the Orlando Magic. The exciting duel culminated in an overtime win for the beleaguered Knicks, who had lost their last five games and nine out of their last ten.

By: Elizabeth DiPietro

Madison Square Garden breathed a collective sigh of relief Monday night as Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks to a 113-106 victory over the Orlando Magic.  The exciting duel culminated in an overtime win for the beleaguered Knicks, who had lost their last five games and nine out of their last ten.

The game was arguably Anthony’s most prolific since the blockbuster trade that brought him and Chauncey Billups over from the Denver Nuggets last month.  He scored 39 points and showed impressive defense apt to silence critics who were skeptical about such skills.
Since the trade, the Knicks are 8-12, raising questions about Anthony and Billups’ ability to mesh with established star Amar’e Stoudemire and the rest of the team, despite the fact that in the same time span, they actually have a winning record against teams with a .500 winning percentage or better.

As of late, they have been plagued by fourth-quarter troubles, often going into the final period with a lead, and subsequently squelching it.

It is worth noting, however, that the Magic were not in top form last night.  They were missing Quentin Richardson, J.J. Redick, and most notably Jameer Nelson, who stupefied the Knicks last week in Orlando.  Chris Duhon also left the game early Monday night due to a hand injury.  And even with the Magic’s top players out, the Knicks seemed in danger of suffering the same fourth-quarter fate of letting the game slip away.

With under two minutes left to play, they held a six-point lead and blew it.  New York allowed two timely three-pointers, courtesy of Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson, before the regulation buzzer sounded.  Richardson’s shot came with less than fifteen seconds on the clock to tie the game at 100, leaving spectators and analysts to wonder why defender Jarrod Jeffries, usually known for his defense, made no attempt to foul Richardson in order to avoid the three-pointer.

Fortunately, the Knicks resurrected the vigor they had displayed earlier in the game and were able to fend off Orlando in overtime.  Aggressive defense and an exciting dunk by Anthony propelled them to victory.  Anthony was also involved in controversy.  With less than a minute to go, he appeared to trip Richardson.  Officials called the foul on Richardson, causing an Orlando basket not to count. Although Anthony received all the postgame accolades, the unsung hero was easily Shawne Williams.  He had two key steals and forced a jump ball late in the game, despite not scoring any points.

Second-rate opponents and blown calls aside, at this point the Knicks and their fans will take a victory any way they can get it.  Coach Mike D’Antoni seems to think that this win could be the catalyst for future ones.

“With wins like this the team will come together,” he told the New York Daily News.  That comment was likely directed at skeptics who have criticized the Knicks post-trade, arguing that Anthony lacks the ability to be a team player.

In recent weeks, there have also been stirrings that D’Antoni should be concerned about keeping his job next season.

Though the win wasn’t seamless, the Knicks successfully ended their losing streak.  They optimistically look ahead to their next game Wednesday night, at home against the New Jersey Nets.

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