LAS VEGAS (AP) \u2014 Jalen Brunson scored at least 30 points for the fourth consecutive game, his season-high 40 leading the Knicks past the Orlando Magic 132-120 on Saturday and putting New York in the NBA Cup final.<\/p>\n
The Knicks, who have won five in a row and nine of 10, will play Oklahoma City or San Antonio on Tuesday night for the championship.<\/p>\n
Brunson also had eight assists and made 16 of 27 shots, including a 3-pointer in the third quarter after Orlando’s Anthony Black fell backward onto the floor. Karl-Anthony Towns had 29 points and OG Anunoby scored 24 for the Knicks.<\/p>\n
Jalen Suggs scored 25 of his 26 points in the first half for the Magic before leaving in the fourth quarter because of a sore left hip. Paolo Banchero added 25 points and Desmond Bane scored 18.<\/p>\n
This game had a playoff feel with both teams playing physically and taking seemingly every opportunity to push the pace. The Knicks shot 60.7% and outscored the Magic 70-62 in the lane.<\/p>\n
The game was back and forth with 11 lead changes and 10 ties before the Knicks went on a 10-point run late in the third quarter to take a 102-92 lead.<\/p>\n
It appeared a little NBA history could be made when at halftime Brunson and Suggs each scored 25 points. No regular-season game has produced a 50-point scorer from each team since 2000.<\/p>\n
But Suggs scored just a point in the second half, and he clearly was hobbled. He went to the locker room early in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n