The Orlando Magic head back on the road looking to get their first win once again at Madison Square Garden against a veteran and promising New York Knicks team.
Orlando Magic (0-3) at New York Knicks (1-1)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m./NBATV, Bally Sports Florida
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Line: Knicks by 7.5
Tickets: $53-$1,562 on StubHub
Season Series: Tonight in New York City; Feb. 7 in Orlando; March 23 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 100.8 | 108.3 | 114.5 | 52.5 | 27.5 | 15.2 | 27.6 |
| New York | 100.0 | 115.2 | 104.7 | 52.2 | 30.5 | 11.4 | 19.6 |
OMD Prediction
Give the Orlando Magic some credit. They are finding individual problems and resolving some of them, at least. Foul too much against the Detroit Pistons? They do a better job keeping the Atlanta Hawks off the line. Turn the ball over too much against the Atlanta Hawks? They limit those mistakes against the Boston Celtics.
What is there to improve after the loss to the Celtics? Generally, just dribble penetration and defensive communication. That will be the biggest key to the Magic’s success.
The team has found some good offense and maybe can lean on that some when the defense is struggling (who knows, it is still early in the season). But Orlando has done a good job finding its miscues and stopping repeated mistakes.
What new thing will pop up then? The New York Knicks are a good defensive team and will force its share of tough shots. They block shots well with Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein and they are trying to turn those misses and turnovers into runouts. This is not a typical Knicks team.
But the Magic are very close to putting everything together. Is this when they do it?
3 Keys To Watch
Bench vs. Bench
The Orlando Magic have liked a lot of things about their starting group even though they have been up and down. Even with the swapping of Cole Anthony for Jalen Suggs, the Magic have leaned pretty heavily into their starting group, especially in the creation potential of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. The group is still coming together.
Orlando’s biggest weak spot to this point has been its reserves and consistency off the bench. Injuries have depleted the team and left the Magic without a true backup point guard. Coach Jamahl Mosley is still experimenting with some lineups, going with Bol Bol and Kevon Harris to varying degrees.
So far this year, the Magic are averaging 26.7 points per game off the bench, 25th in the league.
The New York Knicks are a different story. They bring Immanuel Quickley, Derrick Rose, Obi Toppin and Isaiah Hartenstein off the bench and they have been killing it. They are scoring 54.0 points per game off the bench, the second-most in the league. Their starters are not too shabby either. But the bench is a major advantage for New York.
Offensive improvement?
The Orlando Magic had a notably bad fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks. But overall the Magic’s offense has been kind of really good. Or at least really good compared to what the Magic have been for the last decade. This is despite the inconsistent 3-point shooting.
The Magic are currently 22nd in the league in offensive rating at 108.3 points per 100 possessions, which is not much to write home about. But it is still far better than what the team has been for much of the last decade. It is certainly better than the 103.9 they scored last year.
Why is this happening? A big reason is an increase in free throw attempts. The Magic’s free throw rate last year was at 22.3 percent, 28th in the league. This year the Magic’s free throw rate is at 27.6 percent, 15th in the league. This alone might account for the team’s sudden jump in offensive rating.
It should serve as a reminder that Orlando’s best offense comes from getting to the lane, putting pressure on the rim and then finishing or kicking out to open threes. Just a thought.
Cole in the Garden
We know Cole Anthony is not afraid of the moment or the spotlight. We know that he is not going to be afraid to shoot and he is going to have big games. He has already had two in his two outings this year. But we know how much Anthony loves performing at the Garden and against the New York Knicks.
Anthony is averaging 12.0 points per game against the Knicks for his career. Last year, he averaged 13.5 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game against the Knicks.
In his career at Madison Square Garden, Anthony is averaging 16.7 points per game while shooting a 40.8-percent effective field goal percentage. That is a small sample size and includes a 29-point outing in last year’s first win of the season against the Knicks.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.