NBA Preview: New York Knicks vs Orlando Magic Predictions

Written by Jake Thompson
Monday, 28 March 2011 18:15

Our NBA betting picks will let you know whether the New York Knicks can get by the Orlando Magic tonight.

The New York Knicks (35-38) have now lost 9 of their last 10 games and they’ll be hoping they can get back in the win column after tonight’s home clash against the Orlando Magic (47-26) is decided.  Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has called the game against the Magic a “must-win”, and our NBA predictions will let you guys know whether New York will be able to come out on top against their higher-regarded Eastern Conference foe.

Orlando is just 6.5 games out of the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, while New York is in the 7th spot and just 4.5 games ahead of the pace that would have them sitting at home for the NBA playoffs.  The Magic have won the last 6 head-to-head meetings with the Knicks and 9 of the last 10.  These two teams met up twice this month and the Knicks lost 110-116 on the road and 99-111 at home just a week ago against Orlando.  Also, the Magic’s 21-15 record on the road is actually better than the 19-17 mark New York has amassed during their home games at Madison Square Garden this season.

The good news for the Knicks is that Orlando will likely be very short on guards tonight as J.J. Redick (10.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG) is out indefinitely while Jameer Nelson (12.7 PPG, 6.0 APG) and Quentin Richardson (4.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG) are both listed as doubtful with injuries.  The only injury that New York is dealing with isn’t considered nearly as serious, and center Ronny Turiaf (4.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG) is listed as questionable while dealing with an ankle injury he suffered against in the last loss to Orlando.

New York has been a terrible rebounding team all season long and they’ve been particularly bad at it since the trade for Anthony went through.  Orlando center Dwight Howard should have a big game cleaning up the misses, but that is far from the only problem the Knicks might run into.  Their shooting has been horrid over the course of their last 5 games (39.9% from the field) and that is a problem against a strong defensive team in Orlando.  The Magic are giving up just 88.2 points per game on 40.8% shooting over their last 5 games and that is not good for a New York team that has proven time and time again they are simply not capable of stopping anyone from scoring big points.

The fact of the matter is that the Knicks are going through growing pains with the new faces and there hasn’t been anything I’ve seen lately that makes me think that the recent struggles will end tonight.  Orlando is a horrible matchup for a Knicks team playing at a high level and an even worse one for when New York is not shooting well.  Look for New York to play hard and make it somewhat close, but ultimately Howard’s 20 points and 20 rebounds will lead his team to a nice road win.

Magic 108

Knicks 102