Smart helps Magic rally past Knicks for 4th straight win

The Osceola Magic overcame a 15-point first-half deficit to defeat the visiting Westchester Knicks 110-102 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory.

Javonte Smart scored a team-high 27 points off the bench on 10-of-15 shooting, including seven 3-pointers for the Eastern Conference-leading Magic (12-3). Alex Morales finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 2 steals, and Lester Quinones added 13 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Phillip Wheeler and Will Baker added 11 points apiece, while Justin Minaya chipped in with 10 points.

Dillon Jones had a team-high 27 points and added five assists for the Knicks (5-11). Pacome put up 26 points and 12 rebounds, Dink Pate added 17 points and seven assists, and Trey Jemison III finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Westchester jumped out to a 28-13 lead in the first quarter and ended the frame with a 39-28 cushion. Osceola responded with a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Knicks 34-15 to take a 62-54 lead into halftime. The Knicks fought back to reclaim the advantage after the third quarter, entering the fourth up 82-78. However, the Magic's offense, sparked by Smart's clutch shooting, came alive in the fourth. Osceola outscored Westchester 32-20 in the final period to secure the comeback victory.

Up next: The Westchester Knicks visit the Maine Celtics on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. The Osceola Magic host the South Bay Lakers on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

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