ORLANDO, Fla. _ It's not really much of a secret this season where the Orlando Magic will go when they need some quick offensive firepower. The answer is usually Terrence Ross, and Wednesday night at Amway Center he delivered again and in a big way.
The Magic appeared to be running away with a victory against the lowly New York Knicks, but a third-quarter rally saw New York get within two points after the Magic led by as many as 16.
Enter Ross.
The shooter hit three consecutive 3-pointers to end the third quarter and the Magic needed every bit of it, using the momentum to eventually put away the Knicks, 114-100.
The victory was the eighth straight for Orlando at home and it allowed the Magic to keep pace in the playoff race, putting them one game shy of leveling their season record (39-40). The Magic moved up into the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot after the Miami Heat lost to the Boston Celtics Wednesday night. Orlando has three games remaining, while Miami has four.
Ross ended the game with 23 points while Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 29 points and 13 rebounds, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier added 19 points apiece.
The Magic victory ruined a career night for former Orlando player Mario Hezonja, who had his best game as an NBA player with 29 points and nine rebounds on 11-of-22 shooting. He fouled out with 3:35 remaining.
Challenged by head coach Steve Clifford after sub-par defensive efforts during their past three games, the Magic responded against the Knicks in the first half. Sparked by bench players Ross, Michael Carter-Williams and Wes Iwundu, Orlando turned an early Knicks lead into a 21-point swing that had the Magic leading 58-45 at halftime.
Orlando will play its final regular-season home game Friday against Atlanta at Amway Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
