Orlando Magic at New York Knicks (Oct. 24, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic hit the road once again as they get a return match with the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.
Orlando Magic (0-2) at New York Knicks (2-0)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-KNICKS ON FUBO TV
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Line: Knicks by 12
Tickets: $42-$387 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: Knicks 121, Magic 96 in Orlando; Tonight in New York City; Nov. 17 in New York City; April 3 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 96.5 | 100.5 | 125.8 | 47.9 | 29.1 | 18.2 | 22.5 |
| New York | 100.5 | 116.1 | 104.1 | 59.8 | 24.3 | 13.5 | 22.8 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic’s first two games have not been good. There has been little in the way of encouragement. Maybe a brief moment here or there. Coach Jamahl Mosley has tried to praise the team for fighting and playing hard and making hustle plays despite a large deficit. But no team should be down 30, to begin with. Especially with the ease the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs had in scoring in the first two games.
Right now, the Magic are trying to get back to their basics and form their identity again. A lot of it is going to come from slowing down and sticking with their offensive and defensive principles. The preseason showed it can work. It is still early in the season where performances can swing wildly in different ways. The Magic are not set in stone yet. Neither are the Knicks. But both teams are moving in different directions.
115. 27. Prediction. 101. 38
3 Keys To Watch
3-Point Defense
There is always a bit of randomness when it comes to 3-point shooting. But the Orlando Magic have been a pretty consistently bad 3-point defense this season. In the preseason, they gave up 37.3 3-point field goals per game (16th in the league) and 38.3-percent shooting (28th in the league).
Things have gotten worse in the regular season. Opponents are taking 42.0 3-point field goals per game (28th in the league and buoyed by the New York Knicks’ 52 attempts Friday) and making 44.0-percent of their 3-pointers (29th in the league).
What is worse, opponents in the first two games took an excessive amount of open 3-pointers. The Spurs were 9 for 18 on 3-pointers where the closest defender was six or more feet away and the Knicks went 14 for 26. You expect teams to make open shots. But giving more than 20 per game? That is a sign of some real trouble.
Gary Harris’ status
Orlando Magic fans were a bit sour on Gary Harris throughout the offseason. He struggled a bit in his short stint with the Magic to end last season — 10.2 points per game and 36.4-percent shooting from deep. His impact was not particularly clear. There were plenty who questioned whether Harris would be a significant part of this young team.
The reality is he was probably the only person put into the opening night starting lineup in pen. The Magic desperately need a veteran who just knows where to be on both ends of the floor. They need that calming presence. Not to mention, a little bit of depth.
Harris was upgraded to questionable on the injury report Saturday. That at least opens the door for Harris to return. Even a few minutes would help the team out tremendously. Harris clearly still has some value.
Franz Wagner’s debut
The biggest bright spot for the Orlando Magic to this point in the season remains Franz Wagner. Everyone has sung his praises even through some preseason struggles. But he has found his fit really well during the first two regular-season games, averaging 14.0 points per game and shooting 57.1-percent from the field.
For a team losing by a lot of points and struggling to shoot and score, that is at least some positive. Wagner is still finding his pockets to score and making an impact on both ends of the floor. Wagner is the kind of player who should make a bigger impact when the team is flowing a lot better. He will help the team win when they are clicking.
dark. Next. Orlando Magic have to be more about the details
Right now, he might well be the team’s best player. Or at least the player doing the best right now (all due respect to Mo Bamba’s sudden emergence).