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ORLANDO, Florida – It was a reversal of the role of the rookie, and what was expected. For one night, Mitchell Robinson looked like a second-round project center and Kevin Knox played a lottery game.
Knox, accompanied by his parents, grandparents and friends after his stint in Tampa, looked as good as ever – a driving machine balancing against the Magic in the Knicks 114-100 loss Wednesday night.
Knox finished with 21 points, shooting 7 of 13 shots, including 3 of 5 to 3 points. Knox estimated that about 30 members of his family and friends were present, including the Tampa Church basketball club, overseen by his grandmother.
A light bulb exploded inside Knox, which experienced a lot of ups and downs during its first year.
"After the break of the stars, I sat down with [Knicks general manager] Scott Perry and our coaches and that's one of the things they wanted me to do this second part of the season: be more efficient and try to show numbers as well, "said Knox.
Meanwhile, although Mario Hezonja made a fantastic comeback over his former team, the Knicks had a disappointing defensive performance from blocker Robinson, who dropped to 15-63 in four games remaining. The Knicks must win at least two other matches to avoid breaking the record for the worst brand in the history of the franchise.
Magic center Nikola Vucevic handled the case against Robinson, who finished with a block, but was credited with a second after the match, thus changing a flight for a rejection. This statistical change has extended his series of games with two or more blocks to 26 – which is the second-longest series for a rookie after David Robinson.
But the Knicks' Robinson was out of position a good part of the night with switches. Vucevic scored 17 points in the first half and finished with 29. Although Vucevic still feast on the Knicks, he seemed to take a great gaiety to fight against lean Robinson, who finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
"He's been in the league for a minute, so he's skilled," Robinson said. "He knows how to play with a shooting blocker so I congratulate him. He has movements. I took the challenge. ''
In the last 30 seconds of the first half, Vucevic punctuated his exit. Robinson was beaten by Wes Iwundu when he came out to help. Although the lay-out was missed, Vucevic skyrocketed for an easy dunk with Robinson out of the game.
Two seconds from the end of the half, Robinson was late when Vucevic hit a 3-pointer to allow Orlando to return at half-time with a half-way lead over Orlando.
Goalkeeper Billy Garrett Jr. signed Tuesday on the G-League to help an exhausted roster, scored his first shot of the NBA – a runner in the lane – and finished with four points (2 in 4) in 10 minutes to his beginnings.
Before the match, Garrett called it a "dream come true" after two seasons with the Westchester Knicks, where he is the club's all-time leading scorer.
Knicks coach David Fizdale said it was possible that Dennis Smith (back) and Kadeem Allen (concussion) could miss the rest of the season.
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