Magic now 7-6 after Sunday road win
Playing like a team on a mission to bully their way into the playoffs, the Osceola Magic went on a 14-0 run midway through the 4th quarter to corral the Westchester Knicks, 119-111, on Rancher’s Night at Silver Spurs Arena on Thursday night.
“It kind of feels every game is a must win after the way we started the season,” point guard Mac McClung said. ‘We’re not putting that much pressure on ourselves, but we know what is at stake.”
Ethan Thompson (23 points), Javonte Smart (20 points), and McClung (18 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) helped the Magic (6-6) upset the Knicks (10-6). Former Florida Gator Colin Castleton had 16 points and 13 rebounds to help key the upset win.
“Collin is doing a lot of dirty work and changing games,” McClung gushed about his teammate.
A gritty defensive effort stirred the fourth quarter rally. The Magic outscored the Knicks 34-24 in the final period to break open a close game.
“Westchester is a great offensive team, and I thought we picked up our ball pressure a ton,” Magic Coach Dylan Murphy said. ‘We rebounded with Rob (Baker) and Colin on the floor together, and they got every rebound, and we were able to push the basketball.”
Osceola only led 27-25 at the end of the first quarter, despite Mac McClung and Ethan Thompson combining to score the Magic’s first 14 points. The Magic finally caught fire near the end of the second quarter during a 15-2 run to take a 52-43 lead – this after trailing by eight points earlier in the period. Osceola led 58-54 at the half led by McClung and Thompson combining for 29 first half points.
“Just being aggressive and looking for E (Thompson),” McClung said of the fast start. “I think he is one of the best shooters, if not the best shooter, in the G League.”
Westchester’s 10-2 run gave them a 75-68 lead in the third quarter. The no quit Magic rallied late to cut the deficit to 87-85 after three periods. In the end, the Magic prevailed in an almost must win game to move up the standings.
“This league is chaotic,” Murphy said. “Things change fast, so every game is important. Our guys were locked in tonight and got it done.”
Added McClung on the Magic’s two-game winning streak: “I finally feel we are finding our identity as a team, and it feels good.”
Earlier this week it was announced that McClung will try to three-peat at the NBA Dunk Contest during NBA All Star Weekend in San Francisco in mid-February. Last year he won the contest with a trick dunk over Shaquille O’Neal. McClung was also named to the Rising Stars game with the winners playing in the NBA All Star Game Tournament on Sunday as the fourth team.
“I might be the oldest Rising Star ever, but I’m really grateful “McClung said with a smile about the two events. “I have been thinking about (the dunk contest) and hopefully I’ll come up with good things. There’s a lot more props this year.”
The Magic had no answer for Westchester’s Moses Brown who dominated inside with 19 points and 25 rebounds. The Knicks T.J. Warren led all scorers with 33 points.
Trevelin Queen, who played with the Orlando Magic tonight, was named to the G League Up Next Game for league all-stars. Osceola’s next home game is Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9 against the Grand Rapid Gold with tipoff at 3 p.m.
