Magic vs. Knicks Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
Playing in the second game of a back-to-back, the New York Knicks are set to host the injury-riddled Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on Monday. The Magic are coming off one of their better recent games, despite losing 122-115 to Brooklyn on Saturday, while the Knicks controlled the pace from start to finish in Sunday’s 105-75 blowout of the Celtics.
Orlando is the slim 1.5-point favourite on the NBA odds with a total of 206.5.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These teams split the season series last year, with the Magic pulling out a 95-83 win in Orlando and the Knicks winning 105-103 in New York. Those low scores likely are a major factor for why the total is so low for this game. Sports Interaction bettors are taking advantage of the low total with 77 per cent of bettors taking the over at 206.5.
Orlando has missed the over in six of their last nine games and four of their last five games in New York. The Magic are 7-6 against the spread this season, covering three times at home and four times on the road.
New York has also struggled to score, this season, and missed the over in nine of their last 11 games and five of their last seven at home. The Knicks have only covered once in their last four games and are 6-8 ATS for the season, covering twice at home and four times on the road.
Orlando Magic
Somebody had to be the first team to play the Nets after they added James Harden, Orlando just happened to be that unlucky club. The Magic will be the more rested team, but they’re riding a five game losing streak and coming off a 122-115 loss to Brooklyn on Saturday. Despite the loss, the Nets game was the first sign of life Orlando has shown in weeks. Nikola Vucevic finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds and sevens assists, while Terrence Ross had 23 points and Cole Anthony put up 16 points and eight assists.
After starting the season unpredictably (and unsustainably) hot with a four game win streak, the Magic have gone 2-7 in their last nine games and are decimated by injuries. Markelle Fultz (knee) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) are done for the season, while Al-Farouq Aminu (knee), Evan Fournier (back) and Michael Carter-Williams (foot) are all out, with no timeline for their return. The losses of Fournier and Carter-Williams have been devastating for Orlando. Both players haven’t played since January 4 and in that time the Magic have given up the second most points per 100 possessions in the NBA and scored the second fewest.
New York Knicks
After a disastrous season that saw them finish last in the Atlantic Division, the Knicks have taken a big step forward on defence with new coach Tom Thibodeau, who has turned New York into a top-10 defensive team. Normally a team like the Knicks, that is playing the second night of a back-to-back would be sluggish, but New York commanded Sunday’s 105-75 win over Boston so well, they were able to manage player’s minutes, with Julius Randle’s 31 minutes of action making him the only Knicks player to play past the 30 minute mark. Randle led the team with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while RJ Barrett added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Immanuel Quickley had 17 points and eight assists.
The Knicks are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to offence and defence. They rank 29th in offensive points per game (101.3), but only give up 106.3 points per game, fifth best in the NBA. With a defence like New York has established, the Knicks could be a legitimate playoff contender if they could just score more. Quickley could be a big factor in generating more offence, as New York averages 3.6 points more per 100 possessions when the rookie is on the floor. Quickley has averaged 20 points in limited minutes over the last three games, so if he sees more action against a defensively weak Orlando team, he could put up big numbers.
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