Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks (Oct. 22, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic return home for their home opener as they take on the New York Knicks and try to get themselves back on track.
Orlando Magic (0-1) vs. New York Knicks (1-0)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line: Knicks by 8
Tickets: $49-$690 on StubHub
2021 Season Series: Knicks 91, Magic 84 in New York City on Jan. 18; Magic 107, Knicks 89 in Orlando on Feb. 17; Knicks 94, Magic 93 in New York City on March 18
2022 Season Series: Tonight in Orlando; Oct. 24 in New York City; Nov. 17 in New York City; April 3 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 103.0 | 110.4 | 108.1 | 56.7 | 28.1 | 15.2 | 25.7 |
| Orlando | 95.5 | 102.1 | 128.1 | 45.9 | 34.0 | 16.8 | 26.7 |
OMD Prediction
It is safe to say the Orlando Magic’s opener did not go the way the team hoped. The team’s talent did not come to the front or establish the defensive identity the team wanted. Instead, the Magic looked very much like the young, undermanned, injured team they actually were. Everyone knew this season would be difficult, but the hope is this is not some permanent sign of how things are going to go.
The New York Knicks could say almost the exact opposite. The Knicks wanted to improve their offense after skating by into the playoffs on an elite defense. There is some coming together defensively for the Knicks still under Tom Thibodeau. But the offensive additions with Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier seemed to work.
The Magic will have wild swings. They are still incredibly young. And incredibly injured. If there was a time to get things right, the home opener would be a good time.
102. 38. Prediction. 107. 27
3 Keys To Watch
Starters Were A Positive
The Orlando Magic’s two big issues right now are their lack of depth as they face injuries throughout the roster early in the season — Gary Harris and Chuma Okeke have been ruled out for Friday’s game — and they are just incredibly young. Young players are going to struggle. That is just reality. And they all got sped up and looked uncomfortable in their loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Everyone is looking for some bright spots. And there might be a few more than people think. Wendell Carter and Mohamed Bamba notably had a positive plus-minus in the game. That normally would not mean a whole lot. But in a game the Magic lost by 26 points, that actually feels kind of significant.
The team’s starting lineup of Cole Anthony-Jalen Suggs-Franz Wagner-Wendell Carter-Mohamed Bamba posted a net rating of +41.2 points per 100 possessions (123.5 offensive rating and 82.4 defensive rating). That really suggests the issue was the Magic could not find combinations outside of their five best players. That is an issue of depth more than anything else.
Evan Fournier’s return
Evan Fournier has already been to the Amway Center since the trades last March. He scored 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting with five rebounds and four assists in the Boston Celtics’ blowout win over the Orlando Magic on May 5. Fournier has since moved on to the New York Knicks after struggling with COVID in the Playoffs.
He had quite a debut at Madison Square Garden. He scored 32 points and hit six 3-pointers in the Knicks’ double-overtime win over the Celtics. It was a fantastic debut that has endeared him quickly to Knicks fans. More than that, he gave New York a big 3-point shooting threat. They even ran some pick and roll with him. It was Fournier at his best. Magic fans will tell Knicks fans to see how long that lasts.
Young players bounce back
The big storyline from Wednesday’s game was how much the Orlando Magic’s young players struggled with the speed and pressure of their first game. The problem with young players is rarely about talent. It is more about consistency and what they are able to do every night. Orlando’s big issue was that consistency in Wednesday’s game. Orlando got down and seemed to only dig themselves a deeper hole.
Coach Jamahl Mosley has talked about how he wants his team to be resilient. And that is something that was severely tested in Wednesday’s game. Orlando failed that test Wednesday. The question will be how the team bounces back. Will Cole Anthony display more efficiency? Will Jalen Suggs look more comofortable with the speed of the game? What will be permanent about this team?
Next. Outlook: Ignas Brazdeikis gets second two-way spot. dark
Orlando has a lot to sort through with this second game. And a lot to wash away as they begin their season.