The Orlando Magic get Jalen Suggs back from a brief absence as they get a third crack at the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden and a chance at another big win.
Orlando Magic (3-11) at New York Knicks (8-6)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Knicks by 12
Tickets: $38-$474 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 on Oct. 22; Magic 110, Knicks 104 in New York City on Oct. 24; Tonight in New York City; April 3 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.8 | 101.4 | 111.3 | 49.1 | 27.5 | 16.5 | 21.6 |
| New York | 97.4 | 109.5 | 108.7 | 52.3 | 27.7 | 13.7 | 23.2 |
OMD Prediction
It feels like the Orlando Magic are a very different team from when they faced the New York Knicks at the start of the season. It also feels like they are very much the same team — somewhat equally capable of getting run off the court as they figure this league out with such a young roster but also able to compete and surprise teams who take them too lightly or let them get into a rhythm.
Orlando’s big issue right now is just consistency. The team sometimes executes exceptionally well and is able to keep up with even great teams. Other times, the Magic let frustration get the better of them and they lose sight of the gameplan, struggling to stay consistent with it and falling further and further behind.
To be sure, a lax defensive effort will lead to a similar result as Monday night. And the New York Knicks are not as easy to beat defensively as the Atlanta Hawks are. So the Magic will have to be on their game to have a chance. Orlando is still putting together consistency but seemed to be out of their offensive funk. They will need that to keep up in another tough game against a team that feels they owe the Magic one after a loss in their last meeting.
3 Keys To Watch
Cole back to the Garden
Cole Anthony feels at home in New York City. We all know he loves the big stage and is certainly not afraid of the opportunity in front of him. He stepped up in the Orlando Magic’s win in October with 29 points with 16 rebounds and eight assists. He had a huge impact through the course of the game, setting the table for Terrence Ross’ 22-point outburst in the fourth quarter.
It is more than just Anthony’s big game — he averages 31.0 points per game in the Magic’s three wins — the team is just better with Anthony on the floor. As Mike Schmitz of ESPN.com highlighted in his review of early sophomore surprises, the Magic are 40.2 points per 100 possessions better with Anthony on the floor.
Teams are quickly learning that if they want an easy time against the Magic, cut off Anthony. His scoring alone is not enough to win. But he has been enough to keep the team competitive.
Offensive slowdown
At the start of the season, it did not feel like anyone could stop the New York Knicks. Evan Fournier was shooting the cover off the ball. Julius Randle was an unstoppable inside-out force. Kemba Walker was in rhythm. The ball was moving and everything worked. The Orlando Magic saw the power of this fully operational battle station firsthand in the second game of the season.
But the Knicks are lagging lately. They had their first Tom Thibodeau run-in when he benched his entire starting lineup in a game a few weeks ago. In their last five games, New York is posting just a 104.2 offensive rating. And their defense has not come around to last year’s levels.
The Magic are not one to throw rocks in a glass house — their offense and defense have been worse in the last five games. But the Magic are also a young team without playoff aspirations in the same ways as the Knicks. The New York Knicks won Monday 92-84 over the Indiana Pacers. So they are certainly still good enough to win games. But their offense is lagging right now.
Franz, the rookie
Franz Wagner has been good. Really good, in fact. Far better than anyone thought he would be in making an immediate impact for the Orlando Magic. He has fit in better than anyone could have hoped and has made the team better. It is rare to find a rookie who makes this immediate impact and still seems like he has plenty of room to grow and improve.
Wagner is averaging 13.4 points per game with a 51.5-percent effective field goal percentage. He is coming off a game where he scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds while shooting 7 for 14 from the floor. He was also a key part of the defensive strategy that held Trae Young to 23 points on 9-for-21 shooting.
The Magic have to hope Wagner has more games like Monday. He kind of hit a rookie wall during the homestand, averaging 8.8 points per game and shooting 11.1-percent on 3-pointers during the five-game homestand. Wagner is still going to have his ups and downs as a young player. The team is hoping an upswing is coming and raises his floor even more.