Magic beat Knicks as rotation alterations continue to take shape

As a two-way participant for the Orlando Magic, Kevon Harris greater than understands the significance of staying prepared.

It’s why he’s match within the rotation seamlessly in the previous couple of video games instead of Jalen Suggs, who wasn’t obtainable for Thursday’s 111-106 residence win over the New York Knicks Knicks due to a concussion.

Harris, who brings related defensive qualities as Suggs, didn’t play because the Magic as soon as once more altered the rotation with Suggs sidelined.

Coach Jamahl Mosley opted to make use of a double-big reserve lineup with Moe Wagner and Goga Bitadze to counter the Knicks’ frontcourt dimension.

The transfer paid off, with the Magic (31-43) beating the Knicks (42-33) for his or her first profitable streak since early February.

“They performed nicely off every,” Mosley mentioned. “A part of that was simply seeing how they performed their video games. They continued to maintain two bigs on the ground. They had been working nicely off each other.”

Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 21 factors, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He scored 5 factors within the remaining 1 1/2 minutes to assist clinch the victory.

Cole Anthony had 18 factors and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.

Franz Wagner had 16 factors, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and a couple of steals in 31 minutes earlier than leaving the sport within the fourth due to a sprained left ankle.

Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes scored 25 factors apiece. Jalen Brunson sat due to a sprained proper hand.

Harris, who’s spent the season going forwards and backwards to the crew’s G League affiliate in Lakeland, solely performed 14 minutes with Orlando in 2023 earlier than enjoying 39 minutes within the earlier three video games whereas Suggs has been out.

“He’s been nice,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned of Harris forward of Thursday’s sport, “[with] his tenacity getting after the basketball, having the ability to guard a number of guys, a number of positions.”

“Generally he’s to date into the basketball he doesn’t wish to change off of men and it throws different individuals for a loop,” Mosley mentioned. “He does a fantastic job with that due to his aggression and since he needs to make it tough for his opponent.”

Thursday was Suggs’ fourth consecutive absence.

He was seen going by on-court work with the teaching workers in the course of the morning shootaround.

“He’s doing significantly better,” Mosley mentioned of Suggs. “He’s on the ground performing some contact work, simply testing to see the place he's.”

Forward of Thursday’s sport, the Magic signed Chris Nikic — the primary individual with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon.

Nikic, a 23-year-old Orlando native who’s a lifelong Magic fan, has teamed up with AdventHealth during the last two years for his coaching.

“It's so nice to have Chris a part of the crew,” Mosley mentioned. “I believe it’s nice as a result of he walked in with a stage of confidence instantly. It's important to love that, understanding that he takes delight in who he's and what he’s carried out. I believe it’s so implausible for our guys to have the ability to see that.”

This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Khobi Worth at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.

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