Eastern Conference Recaps, March 18: The New York Knicks Gain A Winning Record After Their Victory Against The Denver Nuggets

The New York Knicks guaranteed themselves a winning record for the season.

The Knicks grabbed a 116-110 victory against the Denver Nuggets, improving their record to 42-30 and recording their second winning record in the last 10 years.

After being sidelined three games with a left foot injury, Jalen Brunson led the way with 24 points, scoring 16 of them in the first quarter. Right before the game ended, he threw a lob to Mitchell Robinson who dunked it to secure the victory.

“He started the game, that was probably more adrenaline than anything else,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “But a little rust, but then he got a good rhythm late so it was good.”

RJ Barrett had 21 points and Julius Randle had 20. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 25 points and Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 10 rebounds.

NEXT KNICKS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 22 at Miami

OTHER NOTES:

-The Orlando Magic outscored the Los Angeles Clippers 39-26 in the fourth quarter to take 113-108 victory. Markelle Fultz led the way with 28 points, scoring 12 of them in the fourth quarter. Wendell Carter had 27 points and 12 rebounds and Franz Wagner had 20 points.

With Kawhi Leonard sidelined with a knee injury, Paul George scored 30 points for the Clippers and Ivica Zubac had 16 points and 16 rebounds.

NEXT MAGIC GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Apr. 9 at Miami

-The Philadelphia 76ers matched their season-high winning streak with eight games. With James Harden due to injury recovery, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers to a 141-121 victory against the Indiana Pacers. They both recorded 31 points and Tobias Harris had 24. Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with 25 points.

NEXT 76ERS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Apr. 6 in Philadelphia

-The Toronto Raptors rode Fred VanVleet’s 28 points to a 122-107 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The win secured a season-high seventh consecutive home win for them. Pascal Siakam had 27 points and 10 rebounds and Gary Trent had 19 points off the bench.

Naz Reid scored 22 points off the bench for the Timberwolves.

NEXT RAPTORS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 28 in Toronto

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.