Tom Thibodeau often praises the Knicks squad for their versatility, with the ability to execute their attack through star striker Julius Randle and veteran guard Alec Burks, if necessary.
Such a need never seemed more immediate to the Knicks this season than on Thursday night, when the two players led them with a 94-93 victory over Orlando with their three main shipowners – Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose and newcomer Immanuel Quickley – all unavailable.
After suffering crushing defeats earlier this week against the Nets and 76ers in their final possession, Reggie Bullock sealed the victory for the Knicks underman with an Evan Fournier strip in the final seconds.
“Very importantly, we needed a win in a bad way and we knew we couldn’t go without a win today, especially on our court,” said Randle, whose second triple-double in six days and the third of the season had a career break. 17 assists. “I am proud of ourselves and how we did it. We won the game on the defensive end, as we did all year.
“I am proud of our team. We had to get a victory and that is what we did ”.
Randle also scored 18 points out of 8 out of 20 shots and had 10 rebounds while the Knicks went back up to 0.500 with 21-21, equaling last year’s total of wins (21-45). He became the first Knick to record at least three doubles in a season since Micheal Ray Richardson scored seven in 1981-82.
“This is what we talked about from the beginning, when I mentioned to you about his leadership. It was a night when he didn’t shoot very well, but he played very well, ”said Thibodeau. “He did different things for us. The 17 assists say it all, right there. He made everyone around him better and we had to find a way to win. “
Burks moved on to the starting lineup and scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, while Frank Ntilikina also started and finished with 13 points.
Bullock, usually a starter, also punched six points from 3 points to 20 points in 36 minutes off the bench for the Knicks, who will face first-placed 76ers again at the Garden on Sunday.
“It’s all about the fight, and that’s a big part of this league,” said Thibodeau. “This is what I love about these guys. … We are starting to see the results of all the preparation and extra work that people are putting in. “
The slider Magic (nine straight losses) recovered Fournier (23 points) and Aaron Gordon (17) from injuries, but they were also thin as a point guard – playing without Markelle Fultz (knee), Michael-Carter Williams (illness) and newcomer Cole Anthony (ribs).
The Knicks lacked Payton (hamstring) or Rose (health and safety protocols), as well as the continued absence of pivot Mitchell Robinson (hand). Quickley was added to the injury list on Thursday night, missing out on an ankle problem suffered on Tuesday against the 76ers.
“That’s exactly it, we have more than enough to win and we have players who can play in a variety of positions,” said Thibodeau. “When you are called, go out there and play well.”
The Knicks led by up to 16 points in the third, before a 19-2 run at Magic gave them a 75-74 lead in just one minute of the last quarter. The Knicks regained the lead in Ntilikina’s 3-point corner with 3:49 remaining, and Randle sank two jumpers as part of a 10-0 wave to a 92-87 lead with less than two minutes to play.
Magic won a high ball after tying Bullock, and they had a chance to win the game in their final possession. But Bullock intercepted Fournier’s attempted pass with 5.9 seconds remaining.
“The coach always talks about ‘the next man’, and everyone who was inserted tonight had an effect on the game,” said Bullock. “It was definitely important for us to end this.
“We’ve had two very hot games in our last two losses, so we definitely had to take this one and start building while we’re home for a [four-game] stretch and get a victory. “