Game Preview: Knicks at Magic, December 15, 2024
Today at 08:00 AM
Knicks look to rebound in Orlando against Jalen Suggs and a depleted Magic squad.
The New York Knicks (15-10) will face off against the Orlando Magic (17-10) on Sunday in Orlando. Both teams are looking to solidify their standing in the competitive Eastern Conference.
These teams are opposites. The Knicks are a powerhouse offensively (third-best rating) and subpar defensively (ranking 17th), whereas the Magic are a menace defensively (third-best rating) and weak offensively (24th). The Magic rank in the top five for steals, blocks, and free throws but are the league's worst three-point shooting team. The Knicks are top-five for free-throw percentage, three-point percentage, and fewest turnovers, and play at almost the slowest pace. Both teams rate low in total rebounds per game.
The Knicks aim to bounce back from a recent NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Defensive lapses, inconsistent shooting, and rebounding struggles cost them the game. A more cohesive performance is needed to beat the Magic, even with their injury issues (more on that below). The Magic have won all 10 of their games at the Kia Center this season, with their success rooted in head coach Jamahl Mosley's defensive schemes.
Injuries could play a role in this matchup. For the Magic, forward Paolo Banchero has been sidelined since late October with a tear in his right oblique muscle. Orlando managed to persevere without him, thanks in large part to the stellar play of Franz Wagner—until he tore his right oblique. With Gary Harris and Jonathan Isaac dealing with hamstring issues, Jalen Suggs has stepped into the leadership void. In the two games since Wagner went down, Suggs has averaged 29 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals, and he almost single-handedly knocked off Milwaukee in their last game.
The Knicks crushed the Magic 121-106 on Tuesday at MSG, led by Karl-Anthony Towns with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 21 points, Mikal Bridges scored 19, and Josh Hart recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds. OG Anunoby contributed 16 points, and Miles McBride scored 18 off the bench. Franz Wagner led Orlando with 30 points, while Moritz Wagner added 20. The loss ended the Magic's six-game winning streak.
It was about a year ago when, on December 29, Suggs had his best game against the New York Knicks, scoring 21 points and six assists. In the backcourt today, he will be joined by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (8.2 PPG, 40% FG), while forward Tristan da Silva (7.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG) will play alongside Wendell Carter Jr. (7.8 RPG, 7.6 PPG) and Goga Bitadze (8.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.5 BPG) in the frontcourt.
Prediction
ESPN favors the Knicks to win at 52%. The Magic have won seven of their last 10 and remain tough even without Paolo and Franz, thanks to their defensive fundamentals. New York is 7-6 on the road this season and has shown varying levels of intensity from game to game and quarter to quarter. Ghosts of Cole-Anthony-past haunt the Knicks (October 24, 2021: 29 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists), and with the Magic needing some scoring pep, this could be Greg Junior's time to shine. Nonetheless, the Knicks are too stacked to blow it against Suggs and the shorthanded squad. New York +12.
Game Details
Matchup: New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM EST
Location: Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Broadcast: MSG
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