Orlando Gets Bit of Magic, Beats Knicks

The expansion Orlando Magic got its first-ever NBA victory Monday night, winning in its second game by beating the defending Atlantic Division champion New York Knicks, 118-110.

Reggie Theus scored 24 points and Jerry Reynolds and Terry Catledge each added 19 for the Magic. Orlando broke a 94-94 tie by outscoring the Knicks, 12-2, and stayed in front by making 10 consecutive free throws in the final 1:33.

A sellout of 15,077--the same crowd that saw the Magic lose its opener to New Jersey--watched Orlando stay close all night. The Knicks, who got 29 points from Patrick Ewing, never led by more than three points.

Gerald Wilkins scored 21 and Johnny Newman had 19, including a three-point shot that trimmed the Magic’s advantage to 110-107 with 32 seconds left.

The Knicks (1-2) were hurt nine seconds later when Newman was called for a breakaway foul. Theus hit two free throws and Orlando retained possession of the ball.

The Magic, 2-6 in the exhibition season including a victory over the Detroit Pistons, pulled away during a four-minute stretch midway through the fourth quarter.