Orlando Magic vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions December 15th 2024

Orlando Magic vs New York Knicks December 15th 202

At 6:00 ET, the Knicks (-192) will travel to take on the Magic (+161) in a game that features a 4.5-point spread. The over/under line for this Eastern Conference matchup is currently sitting at 215.5 points.

Orlando (17-10) is currently 3rd in the Eastern Conference, while New York (15-10) is 4th. The Knicks are also 2nd in the Atlantic Division, while the Magic are 1st in the Southeast.

Knicks vs. Magic Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: New York Knicks at Orlando Magic
• Where: Orlando at Kia Center
• Date: Sunday, December 15th
• Betting Odds NY -4.5, NY -192 | ORL +161 O/U 215.5

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks fell to 15-10 on the season after a 108-100 home loss to the Hawks on Wednesday. New York, favored by 7.5 points, not only lost straight up but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 208 points was well below the O/U line of 237.5.

New York led 54-47 at halftime but struggled in the 3rd quarter, where Atlanta went on an 11-0 run and outscored the Knicks 34-18. The Knicks tried to rally in the 4th, winning the quarter 28-27, but couldn’t overcome the 81-72 deficit they faced entering the final period.

The Knicks managed just 100 points in their loss to the Hawks, shooting 43% from the field and hitting only 26.2% from three-point range, with 11 made threes. Josh Hart led the way with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, connecting on 3 threes at a 60% clip.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each added 19 points, with Towns grabbing 19 boards. Hart and Towns both scored 9 points in the 2nd and 4th quarters, while Bridges added 6 in the final period.

Defensively, the Knicks held the Hawks to 108 points on 41% shooting, including just 9 made threes on 29% shooting from beyond the arc. New York gave up 22 points in the 1st quarter and 25 in the 2nd, but Atlanta scored 34 in the 3rd.

The Hawks went to the line 20 times, making 13 free throws. The Knicks had 37 defensive rebounds but allowed 22 offensive boards. They also recorded 8 steals and 11 blocks.

• Through their last three road contests, the Knicks offense has averaged 108 points per game while allowing an average of 111. New York posted an overall record of 2-1 while going 0-3 ATS.
• In their last five contests as the favorite, New York has a poor record vs the spread going 2-3. But, they still put together a straight up mark of 3-2.
• Over their last three games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Magic Can Win If…

The Magic fell to 17-10 on the season after a 114-109 road loss to the Bucks on Tuesday. Orlando entered the game as +7.5 underdogs and managed to cover the spread, losing by just five points. The total score of 223 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 215 by eight points.

Orlando started strong, leading 33-25 after the 1st quarter, but Milwaukee took control in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, including an 11-0 run that stretched the score from 71-70 to 82-70. The Magic made a push in the 4th, outscoring the Bucks 37-34, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

In their 114-109 loss to the Bucks, the Magic struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 6 threes at a 22.2% clip. Overall, they shot 44.1% from the field.

Jalen Suggs led the way with 32 points and 9 rebounds, scoring 18 points in the 4th quarter. Anthony Black added 17 points, while Moritz Wagner was perfect from the field, finishing with 13 points.

Orlando’s defense struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving up 35 and 34 points, respectively, in their 114-109 loss to the Bucks. The Magic allowed Milwaukee to shoot 54% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Magic held the Bucks to 11 made threes on 36% shooting. Orlando sent Milwaukee to the line 25 times, where they hit 19 free throws. The Magic finished with 11 steals and 4 blocks.

• In their last ten games at home, the Magic have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 6-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 105 points per game in this stretch.
• Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Magic have a straight up record of 1-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
• In their last three games, the Magic have an over/under record of 3-0 and are 3-0 vs. the spread.

The Lean

We’re backing the Knicks for a victory, with the projected score at 132-85. Additionally, we favor them to cover the spread, so we recommend placing a bet on the Knicks at -4.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 215.5, and our model projects the Knicks and Magic to reach a combined total of 217 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Magic and Knicks Set for Pivotal Showdown

The Orlando Magic (14-10) host the New York Knicks (13-11) on Sunday in a matchup that could shape playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference. With both teams separated by just one game and set to meet four times in just over a month, this first clash is crucial for gaining an early tiebreaker advantage.

Both squads are looking to bounce back from NBA Cup eliminations earlier this week, with Orlando falling to Milwaukee and New York losing to Atlanta.

Magic Dealing with Key Injuries

The Magic face a tough challenge as they continue to play without key forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, both sidelined by right oblique injuries. Banchero has been out since Oct. 30 and remains limited to light basketball activities. Wagner, meanwhile, is expected to miss at least a month after being injured on Dec. 6.

In their absence, Orlando will look to players like Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs to step up offensively. Forward Jonathan Isaac could return after missing three games with a hamstring strain, which would bolster the Magic’s defense and rebounding.

Despite their injuries, the Magic remain a formidable opponent, ranking third in the East and proving resilient with wins over top teams like Boston and Philadelphia earlier in the season.

“We’ve got to keep finding ways to compete with what we have and rely on our depth,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.

Knicks Working to Improve Defense

The Knicks have been remarkably healthy, with their starting lineup featuring Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns remaining consistent. However, despite their offensive improvements—averaging 117.0 points per game, up from 112.8 last season—defensive struggles have been a concern.

New York has allowed 110.9 points per game this season, a jump from 108.2 points per game last year, when they were one of the NBA’s top defensive teams.

The Knicks’ loss to Atlanta in the NBA Cup highlighted their defensive woes, as the Hawks torched them for 34 third-quarter points. Karl-Anthony Towns emphasized the need for improvement:
“Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. We have to bring our defense to the level our offense is at,” Towns said.

Key Players to Watch

Orlando Magic:

• Cole Anthony: Leading the Magic’s offense in Banchero and Wagner’s absence.
• Jalen Suggs: A defensive spark capable of disrupting the Knicks’ perimeter game.
• Jonathan Isaac: His potential return could solidify Orlando’s interior defense.

New York Knicks:

• Jalen Brunson: The Knicks’ floor general, averaging over 22 points and six assists per game.
• Karl-Anthony Towns: A versatile big man who needs to anchor the Knicks on both ends of the floor.
• Mikal Bridges: Known for his defensive prowess, Bridges will be key to containing Orlando’s guards.

Keys to the Game

Orlando Magic:

1. Depth Contribution: Rely on bench players to offset the absence of their top scorers.
2. Defensive Tenacity: Contain New York’s perimeter scorers and dominate the paint.
3. Fast Start: Take advantage of the home crowd and set the tone early.

New York Knicks:

1. Tighten Defense: Limit Orlando’s second-chance opportunities and defend the pick-and-roll effectively.
2. Ball Movement: Utilize the offensive chemistry of their starting lineup to find high-percentage shots.
3. Control the Pace: Prevent Orlando from dictating the tempo, especially in transition.

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Matchup Outlook

With both teams jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference standings, Sunday’s game could have lasting implications for playoff seeding. Orlando’s ability to adapt without Banchero and Wagner will be key, while the Knicks need to prove they can match their offensive firepower with defensive intensity.

Expect a competitive and physical game as both teams look to gain an edge in this critical early-season rivalry.