New York Knicks vs Orlando Magic Prediction
| Game Time | 7:00 pm EST |
| New York Knicks Line | -6.5 |
| Orlando Magic Line | +6.5 |
| Total | 211.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Below is a detailed analysis for New York Knicks vs Orlando Magic game.
PREGAME WARM-UP:
The Orlando Magic are playing their second home game in two nights, as they are hosting the New York Knicks in this high caliber Eastern matchup, between two of the top-4 squads currently in the conference. The Magic are coming off back-to-back wins and are playing their sixth straight game at home, where they are playing their best basketball of the season and have been one of the strongest home teams in the league. The Knicks are coming fresh off a win on Christmas Day that extended their current winning streak into five games, and are looking to keep rolling tonight.
New York Knicks vs Orlando Magic Prediction
Orlando Magic Injury Report: Gary Harris is day-to-day, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner are out.
New York Knicks Injury Report: Mitchell Robinson is out
Orlando Magic Form and Trends
The Magic have a 19-12 record this season and are sitting on the 4th place of the East. The Magic are 18-12-1 against the spread and 14-17 in over/under. Orlando has a 12-2 home record, and are 11-2-1 against the spread, with a +10-point differential. The Magic have back-to-back wins and are 4-1-1 against the spread in their last 6 games. Under is 3-1 in their last 4 games.
The Magic are coming off a 108-104 win over Boston, as they held the defending champions into 44% shooting from the field and 24% from beyond the arc. Three Orlando players scored 16+ points, led by Tristan Da Silva with 18.
Paolo Banchero leads the Magic both in scoring with 29 points, and in assists made with 5.6, adding 8.8 rebounds per game. Franz Wagner adds 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game but both are out with injuries.
New York Knicks Recent Form and Trends
The Knicks have a 20-10 record this season and are sitting on the third place of the East. The Knicks are 15-14-1 against the spread and 17-13 in over/under. New York has a 10-6 road record, but are 8-8 against the spread, with a +9.1-point differential. The Knicks are 10-2 in their last 12 games and 4-1 against the spread in their last 5. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 games.
The Knicks are coming off a 117-114 win over San Antonio on Christmas Day, even though they shot much worse than the Spurs from the field (45% to 51%). Mikal Bridges led New York’s offense with 41 points with 6 triples and 4 assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns leads the Knicks both in scoring with 24.6 points, and in rebounding with 13.7 per game, which is also the league-best. Jalen Brunson adds 24.5 points and a team-high 7.6 assists.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Magic average 107.3 points per game, which is just 26th in the league. They shoot 45.2% from the field (23rd) and are dead last in 3-point percentage, with 31.1%. Defensively, they are the second-best team in the NBA, allowing 103.9 points per game.
Offensively, the Knicks average 117.3 points per game, which is the 6th-best in the NBA. They have the second-best field goal percentage, with 49.7%, and the second-best 3-point percentage, with 39.6%. Defensively, they allow 110.1 points per game (8th).
The Knicks have won both previous meetings against the Magic. At home by 121-106 and on the road by 100-91. The Magic are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings in Orlando, and under is 8-2 in their last 10 meetings.
Prediction
In this New York Knicks vs Orlando Magic Prediction, the Knicks are coming as -6.5 road favorites. The Magic are the best covering home team in the NBA, and have been at home for the past 12 days, but they are playing their second leg of a back-to-back, and are facing a red-hot Knicks squad. New York has owned Orlando this season, having won both of their meetings by an average of 12 points, and have already won their previous meeting in Orlando by 9 points. I expect the Knicks to get the job done today, so lay the points with them on the road in this game. Nick’s Free Pick: New York Knicks -6.5
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