The New York Knicks were staring at the possibility of losing their eighth consecutive home game, something which hadn't happened in franchise history in the last 50 years.
They were determined to avoid that, and the Orlando Magic had the misfortune to be in their way.
Even with Jameer Nelson back in the starting lineup after missing the previous three games with a sprained left foot, the Magic unraveled in the second half and suffered their most one-sided loss of the season. The Knicks, up by only five points at halftime, dominated the final 24 minutes in handing the Magic a 121-83 drubbing.
Aside from a 20-point game by Arron Afflalo, there were few positives to take away from the Magic's third loss in a row on their six-game road trip and fourth straight overall. They went 6 of 7 from 3-point range in the first quarter, but it was the Knicks who caught fire from that distance the rest of the way.
Glen Davis, coming off a career-high 33 points Tuesday night in a double-overtime loss at Philadelphia, managed only four points in 30 minutes. The Magic remained without Nikola Vucevic, who sprained his left ankle two games ago.
Andrew Nicholson made his first start of the season but wasn't much of a factor after picking up three fouls in the opening eight minutes.
The Knicks, who snapped a nine-game losing streak Thursday night with a 30-point blowout of the Brooklyn Nets, have now won seven in a row over the Magic.
The Knicks outscored the Magic 15-1 early in the second quarter, with all of their points coming on 3s. Afflalo, Davis, Nelson and Victor Oladipo were all on the bench during that run. The Magic never led the rest of the way.
Carmelo Anthony, who has tied or led the Knicks in scoring in all 18 of their games, had 20 points and 11 rebounds before sitting out the entire fourth quarter.
After making 16 3-pointers in their rout of the Nets, the Knicks followed that up by going 17 of 34 from that distance against the Magic. J.R. Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr. had five apiece.
Sunday night at Houston, 7 p.m. (FOX Sports Florida).
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
