The game was more hard-fought than expected.
Stan Van Gundy certainly had a few tricks up his sleeve. He tailored an offense around Dwight Howard's talents, tasking Howard with grabbing rebounds and defending the paint while three tall forwards spaced the floor for shooting and ball movement.
Both Turkoglu and Hardaway were skilled playmakers. Although Grant Hill's physical gifts were no longer at their peak, he had shed his superstar flair and become a grinder on both ends of the court, contributing with solid efficiency.
The Knicks, on the other hand, were in too much of a hurry, and it was costing them.
Kyle Lowry was pushing the pace hard, and his fast-paced passing led to the whole team taking quicker shots than usual.
This was partly due to the Magic's defense, and partly because they were anxious to put on a show for the home crowd.
As a result, the Knicks' offensive efficiency was low.
