Heartbreak City: Knicks & Nets Drop Close Calls at Home
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks tries to keep the rebound as Goga Bitadze #35 of the Orlando Magic defends at Madison Square Garden on January 15, 2024 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
A cataclysm of missed shots contributed to a heartbreaking loss for the Knicks at home against the Magic 98-94 on Monday night.
New York held an 88-81 lead midway through the fourth quarter, before New York got sloppy with the basketball, while Orlando — a team that came in with a three-game losing streak took full advantage.
After Orlando chipped away on a couple of buckets by Cole Anthony, the Knicks went cold. Donte DiVincenzo missed an open three-pointer, and Miles McBride couldn’t hit on a 25-foot step-back jumper. The misses proved to be costly as Chuma Okeke connected on a three-ball, and Cole Anthony put Orlando up by one point, with a layup to make it 90-89 with 3:42 to go.
The Knicks never led again. It was clear from the way things finished, that the Knicks missed Jalen Brunson who was out with a calf injury.
New York missed 15 shots down the stretch, including four free throws. Three of the misses were of the three-point variety in the final minute as the Magic pulled away with a 97-92 lead.
OT Loss in Brooklyn
Meanwhile, over in Brooklyn, the Nets suffered a heartbreaker of their own, falling 96-95 to the Miami Heat. The Nets appeared to be rolling to a win, leading Miami 95-91 after Mikal Bridges nailed a jumper. However, Tylor Herro connected on a three-pointer to pull Miami to within one point.
Seconds later Nic Claxton was called for goaltending, all but taking the wind out of the Nets sails.
Jimmy Butler finally sunk the Nets with a pair of free throws to win it for Miami.
Celebrity Deaths 2023: Musicians, Entertainers & Cultural Figures We Lost
We’ve had to say goodbye to some big names this year in the worlds of entertainment, sports, politics and beyond. To be frank, it was an absolutely brutal year.
So many giants in music died in 2023. Guitar god Jeff Beck died suddenly in January at age 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis. In February, legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach died at age 94. Singer, actor and civil rights icon Harry Belafonte died in April at age 96 from congestive heart failure. In May, the world lost Tina Turner – the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll – at age 83. Iconic pop singer Tony Bennett died in July at age 96.
The worlds of television and film were not immune to significant loss in 2023. Sitcom mastermind Norman Lear died in December at age 101. Three’s Company star Suzanne Somers died in October at age 76 from an aggressive form of breast cancer. Matthew Perry also died in October. The Friends star was only 54. Bob Barker, longtime host of The Price is Right, died in August at age 99. Paul Reubens, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman, died in July at age 70 following a private battle with cancer.
The sports world was rocked by the deaths of three major wrestling figures. In June, The Iron Sheik (Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri) died at age 81. Then, in August, there were two back-to-back deaths. First, WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk died at age 79. Funk’s hardcore style has been influential to generations of wrestlers that followed. Then, Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) suddenly died at age 36. The young wrestler died after contracting COVID, which exacerbated a heart issue and led to a heart attack.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the musicians, celebrities and other cultural figures we’ve lost in 2023.
Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.
