The Knicks want to be NBA champions — but they’re guarding the ball like a lottery team. That has to change, and fast, if they’re serious about reaching their ceiling in a wide-open Eastern Conference, where the path to the NBA Finals has never been clearer with both the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics effectively self-eliminated by injury.

The Knicks conceded 133 points in Saturday’s loss to the Orlando Magic, two points shy of the season-high they gave up in a 135-125 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Halloween. They allowed the Magic to score 64 points in the paint for their sixth loss of the season, and they did so despite defensive anchor Mitchell Robinson being available in the rotation.

“On-ball we’ve got to be better,” Mikal Bridges said after the Knicks’ loss to the Orlando Magic o

See Full Page