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 last few video games instead of Jalen Suggs, who wasn’t obtainable for Thursday’s 111-106 dwelling win over the New York Knicks Knicks due to a concussion.
Harris, who brings comparable 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 played well off each,” Mosley mentioned. “Part of that was just seeing how they played their games. They continued to keep two bigs on the floor. They were working well off one another.”
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 group’s G League affiliate in Lakeland, solely performed 14 minutes with Orlando in 2023 earlier than taking part in 39 minutes within the earlier three video games whereas Suggs has been out.
“He’s been great,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned of Harris forward of Thursday’s recreation, “[with] his tenacity getting after the basketball, being able to guard multiple guys, multiple positions.”
“Sometimes he’s so far into the basketball he doesn’t want to switch off of guys and it throws other people for a loop,” Mosley mentioned. “He does a great job with that because of his aggression and because he wants to make it difficult for his opponent.”
Thursday was Suggs’ fourth consecutive absence.
He was seen going via on-court work with the teaching workers through the morning shootaround.
“He’s doing much better,” Mosley mentioned of Suggs. “He’s on the floor doing some contact work, just testing to see where he is.”
Ahead of Thursday’s recreation, the Magic signed Chris Nikic — the primary particular person 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 IntroductionHealth over the past two years for his coaching.
“It is so great to have Chris part of the team,” Mosley mentioned. “I think it’s great because he walked in with a level of confidence right away. You have to love that, knowing that he takes pride in who he is and what he’s done. I think it’s so fantastic for our guys to be able to see that.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com