Barrett, Randle power Knicks past Magic

NEW YORK — Elfrid Payton’s words at the podium Monday had to be sweet music to the ears of New York Knicks coaches and executives.

“We’re not satisfied,” Payton said after the Knicks’ 91-84 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday.

For a franchise that has spent the most of the last two decades trying to find its way, Payton’s outlook may have represented if not an organizational sea change, then certainly a noticeable difference.

As did their play.

R.J. Barrett scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds, and Julius Randle added 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead the New York to its second straight win. Payton chipped in with 12 points and rookie guard Immanuel Quickley added 11 for the Knicks, who improved to 7-8.

“Our group is learning how to win,” Randle said. “I credit that to our coaches.”

While the Knicks are taking baby steps forward, the same can’t be said of the

Magic. They have lost six in a row to drop to 6-8.

Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 14 rebounds for Orlando while Aaron Gordon had 18 points and 17 rebounds and Terrence Ross 19 points.

“We gave ourselves a chance but we kind of blew it at the same time,” Ross said.

NETS 125, BUCKS 123

NEW YORK — Kevin Durant made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 36 seconds left, James Harden had 34 points and 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets edged the Milwaukee Bucks.

Durant finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists to give the Nets their fourth straight victory in a game in which two of the East’s best went toe-to-toe right down to a tense finish that ended when Khris Middleton missed a potential winning 3-pointer from the corner.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Milwaukee, which had its four-game winning streak stopped. Middleton added 25 points and Jrue Holiday had 22.