Magic vs. Knicks Prediction Over the past 10 games, the Orlando Magic have been one of the hotter teams in the NBA. Laying 7.5 points on the road tonight in New York, will the Magic cover the spread versus the Knicks at 7:30 p.m. ET? Game Snapshot 501 Orlando Magic at 502 New York Knicks 7:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, February 26, 2019 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line. Public Betting Trends According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Magic are 7.5-point favorites to beat the Knicks. The total, meanwhile, sits at 215 points and as of this writing, 63% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Magic to cover the point spread. Orlando Magic Fantasy Spin Nikola Vucevic shot 10-of-17 for 23 points on Sunday, with 12 rebounds, four assists, three 3-pointers, two steals, one block and zero turnovers. Vuc became a first-time All-Star this season behind career-high numbers in most categories, including scoring (20.5 points per game), triples (1.1), rebounds (12.1), assists (3.9) and blocks (1.2). The Magic are one of 20 teams with a strong four-game week coming up, but Orlando's remaining schedule is something to consider -- they play a combined eight games (3-3-2) in Weeks 21-23. The only other teams with a combined eight games in that span are the Clippers and Grizzlies. New York Knicks Fantasy Spin Mitchell Robinson said he thinks he can average around six blocks per game if given enough minutes. "Probably around six," Robinson said when asked about how many blocks he thinks he can average. "I feel like I can do around six." Remarkably, his quote isn't completely crazy. Over the Knicks last 15 games, Mitch Rob is averaging a whopping 5.5 blocks per-36 minutes. In Sunday's win over the Spurs, with DeAndre Jordan (ankle) sidelined, Robinson racked up 15 points, 14 rebounds (six offensive) and five blocks in 30 minutes. Jordan is doubtful for Tuesday's game, which should give Robinson another chance to block plenty of shots. NBA Betting Trends Orlando The Magic are 13-3-1 against the spread in their last 17 games versus the Atlantic. New York The Knicks are 9-4 against the number in their last 13 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous contest. Prediction The Magic are a perfect 4-0 against the spread in their last four road games versus the Knicks and covered in five of their previous six games versus New York overall. The road team is also 4-1 against the spread in the last five meetings, while the Magic are 6-1 at the betting window in their last seven games overall and 4-0 ATS in their last four road games. On the other side, the Knicks failed to cover the spread in eight of their previous 11 games overall and in 15 of their previous 19 home games. Tuesday NBA Prediction: Orlando Magic -7.5<doc-sep>The Orlando Magic are red hot and climbing back into the Eastern Conference playoff race. The New York Knicks, believe it or not, have won two of their last three games. Truly, it is a clash of the titans Tuesday night at MSG. Game is at 7:30 PM on MSG. This is Orlando Pinstriped Post. Please do no post any large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal game streams in the comments. Be nice to one another. Go the Knicks!<doc-sep>NEW YORK – Circumstances have conspired to put the Orlando Magic in an enviable position as they head into tonight’s game at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. After the Charlotte Hornets lost on Monday, it meant that the Magic would go into tonight’s game with the ability to move into a tie for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a victory. The Magic (28-33) have put themselves in this position by winning six of their last seven games and eight of 10. When they whipped the Toronto Raptors on Sunday and Charlotte lost to the defending World Champion Golden State Warriors on Monday it meant that the Magic would be in position to move into the East’s eighth spot with another victory on Tuesday. ``If we can get (to eighth), there’s significance in that, but obviously we can’t celebrate that as being satisfied or being done with (the chase),’’ Magic forward Jonathan Isaac said. ``But win tonight, we tie for eighth and then we keep going.’’ Orlando was one of the NBA’s hottest teams in the NBA in the days leading up the NBA All-Star break, racking up five straight victories. That winning spree ended on Friday with a heartbreaking, last-second loss to the Chicago Bulls. But the Magic bounced back quickly, riding tremendous games from Terrence Ross, Nikola Vucevic and Isaac in a 113-98 defeat of the Kawhi Leonard-less Raptors. ``I’d say it’s our resiliency, coming off a loss to Chicago that was difficult, and it was big for us to get a good win,’’ said Isaac, who had 16 points, six rebounds, three 3-pointers and two blocked shots in Sunday’s win in Toronto. ``The best part and the worst part of the NBA is that you’ve always got another (game) coming in a short period of time and you’ve got to be able to move on mentally to prepare yourself for the next game.’’ Several projection sites have the Magic being a favorite to reach the playoffs this season, which would be their first entry into the postseason since 2012. FiveThirtyEight.com and BasketballReference.com both have the Magic projected to reach the playoffs because of a combination of their improved play of late and the relative ease of their remaining schedule. The Magic play what is considered to be the second-easiest remaining schedule based on winning percentage. Magic coach Steve Clifford said he takes great pride in helping lead the franchise back into playoff contention. Clifford was an assistant coach on the last Magic team that made the playoffs in 2012. He was also a coach in Orlando in 2007 when the franchise snapped a 12-year drought without a playoff series victory by beating Toronto in the first round. A year later, of course, the Magic made it all the way to the NBA Finals by building over a couple of seasons. Clifford hopes the same process is going on now with the steadily improving Magic. ``Obviously you have to know where you are (in the standings), but we have to do what we’re doing,’’`` said Clifford, an NBA coaching veteran of 19 seasons. ``We had a good (practice) session this morning, guys had good concentration and then we have to play the game and say, `this was good, this was bad,’ and then get ready to play the next game. It’s all about how you play, and you’ve got to play well. ``Listen, (getting the Magic back in the playoff hunt) was one of the reasons that I was excited for this opportunity,’’ Clifford added. ``I know what a great fan base we have because I experienced it when I was here before. No matter what, one of your responsibilities as a coach or being part of a coaching staff is to your fan base. I have an appreciation for the people in Orlando. … When people say, `Ahhhh, it’s step by step.’ There’s also no rule that says just because it’s Year 1 that it doesn’t mean you can’t do something exceptional either. It’s been done before.’’ Two of Orlando’s remaining 21 games are against the rebuilding Knicks, who won their first home game since Dec. 1 on Sunday when they shocked the San Antonio Spurs. Orlando is 2-0 this season against the Knicks, winning 115-89 in New York on Nov. 11 and 131-117 on Nov. 18 at the Amway Center. The Magic’s first victory of the season against the Knicks – set up by Terrence Ross’ 22 points and five 3-pointers – proved to the Magic’s largest in their 30-year history at Madison Square Garden. To get to where the Magic want to go – tonight into a tie for eighth and ultimately to the playoffs in mid-April – they know they have to continue playing well and finding ways to win games. ``It’d be nice to see, knowing we could be back in the eighth spot, but there are so many games left and we play Golden State (on Thursday). (Potentially being eighth) would be cool for the story, but there’s too much still to go to think about it,’’ Magic guard Evan Fournier said. ``But it’s a really nice feeling to play meaningful games. It’s been a long time for me – since I left Denver (in 2014). With our group, the energy is great and there’s a lot of enthusiasm. It’s just fun.’’ Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.<doc-sep>NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 26: Nikola Vucevic #9 and head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic react during the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 26, 2019 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeat the Orlando Magic 108-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) The Orlando Magic could not stop the snowball rolling toward them as their shots struggled to go down and the New York Knicks raced past. Orlando Magic 103 New York Knicks 108 The Orlando Magic were reeling offensively. Things were falling apart around them. The New York Knicks’ Emmanuel Mudiay was bowling his way into the lane sucking the defense in to open up lobs for Mitchell Robinson (that one tied the game at 100) or dishing it out to the perimeter for Luke Kornett (that one gave the Knicks a 104-100 lead). Orlando had no answer. The team was stagnant and searching, missing several open 3-pointers throughout the quarter that might have given them that calming presence to hold onto the lead or extend it out. The Knicks had seemingly uninterrupted momentum and the Magic could not slow them down. The fourth quarter saw the Magic miss shot after shot. Open shots at first as the team held onto the rope offensively and kept things moving. But with the wrecking ball coming at them, the Magic seemed to get that deer in a headlights look. The end of the game was coming and they were shriveling under the pressure. They stopped moving the ball. Players were searching for outlets or searching for that one shot that would set things right and clam everything down. Nevermind the team put the Knicks in the bonus early and could not get stops effectively — even if the Knicks made a ton of tough shots. When New York finally did take the lead late in the fourth quarter, the avalanche had already come. Orlando gave up a 30-13 fourth quarter, struggling to hit shots and scrambling to find any rhythm or momentum. The Knicks had the confidence and the fight, outmuscling the Magic for a 108-103 victory at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Orlando again lost to a team very far out of the Playoff picture, giving up an opportunity to get a win that was seemingly in its pocket. Even in this stretch where the Magic have won eight of the past 11 games, two of them have come in games they may very well regret in April. Games where they led most of the way and had a chance to win late, that they let frittered away. Orlando looked like they were going to dominate the game and execute at the level the team did in Sunday’s win. A 16-point lead in the first quarter seemed like it was set and the Magic would coast to victory. But the Knicks bench dominated the game, starting with Robinson and his presence around the basket. That seemed to spark the Knicks all night and they were playing with more confidence and aggression. Orlando struggled on the glass uncharacteristically, giving up 14 offensive rebounds, and struggled to keep New York off the foul line — 25 for 32 from the line. Orlando could not regain the momentum the team built early on in the game. The team was chasing to keep its lead. And with the bench and Terrence Ross specifically struggling to provide any support, the Magic finally collapsed. It was a breakdown in just about every way. Evan Fournier took the brunt of online heat after the game. And a lot of it was fair. As the Orlando Magic were struggling to find offense, Evan Fournier was the guy with the ball in his hands trying to force things into place. After an entire game where he did a great job moving the ball and playing beyond his poor shooting, Fournier was giving into the team’s worst offensive habits. The fourth quarter was not Fournier’s finest moment. He took several runners and off-balance shots that he needs to get rid of from his game. Especially in big moments. They were forced and completely out of the flow of the offense. Then again, the offense had no flow at that point. To that point, Fournier played a really nice game overall. He finished with 15 points and eight assists. He missed all seven of his 3-pointers, but he still shot 6 for 16. A lot of those two-point misses came in the fourth quarter. As did several of his four turnovers. There was a lot of good that was far overshadowed by his terrible fourth quarter. EVAN FOURNIER SG, Orlando Magic C+ Evan Fournier took the brunt of online heat after the game. And a lot of it was fair. As the Orlando Magic were struggling to find offense, Evan Fournier was the guy with the ball in his hands trying to force things into place. After an entire game where he did a great job moving the ball and playing beyond his poor shooting, Fournier was giving into the team’s worst offensive habits. The fourth quarter was not Fournier’s finest moment. He took several runners and off-balance shots that he needs to get rid of from his game. Especially in big moments. They were forced and completely out of the flow of the offense. Then again, the offense had no flow at that point. To that point, Fournier played a really nice game overall. He finished with 15 points and eight assists. He missed all seven of his 3-pointers, but he still shot 6 for 16. A lot of those two-point misses came in the fourth quarter. As did several of his four turnovers. There was a lot of good that was far overshadowed by his terrible fourth quarter. " > Nikola Vucevic hunted matchups all night.<doc-sep>
There is only one thing standing between the Magic and the eighth spot in the East: the 12-48 New York Knicks. With a victory over the league’s second worst team on Tuesday, the Magic will move into a tie with the Charlotte Hornets for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. If the Magic, who enter Tuesday’s game in New York at 28-33, manage to defeat the Knicks, they would actually be slightly ahead of the Hornets percentage-wise, but will have played two more games than Charlotte. The Hornets also lead the season series 2-1, with the two teams scheduled to meet in the final game of the season. Playoff tiebreakers aside, the Magic must first take care of business on the court against the Knicks. Orlando has shown in recent days that, during an NBA playoff push, the outcome of games aren’t so easy to predict. After losing a one-point game to the Bulls, owners of the fourth worst record in the league, the Magic defeated the Raptors, the league’s second best team, though they were without Kawhi Leonard. They now face the Knicks and there is no need for a deep analysis. The Magic should, and better, win easily. That wasn’t the case for the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, though. The Knicks, led by the members of their young core, beat the Spurs, 130-118, to snap an 18-game home losing streak. With the win, the Knicks avoided matching the longest home losing streak in NBA history, which was set by the Dallas Mavericks during the 1993-1994 season. New York, led by the recently acquired Dennis Smith Jr., have now won two of their last three games overall since enduring an 18-game losing streak. The Knicks will be looking to win back-to-back games for just the second this season (won three straight in November). Smith, who pre-Markelle Fultz was long the object of Magic fans’ desire, has averaged 16.1 points and 6.9 assists in nine games since being acquired from Dallas in a trade package centered around Kristaps Porzingis. His percentages, always a concern, have not been great, with Smith shooting 43.7 percent from the field, and just 27.6 percent from three. Starting in the backcourt alongside Smith is long-range threat Damyean Dotson, who is coming off a 27-point performance against the Spurs during which he hit eight three-pointers. The Knicks rookie duo of Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson (who got extra minutes in the absence of the injured DeAndre Jordan) each recorded double-doubles against the Spurs, as the Knicks shot 51 percent from the field and set a season-high for points scored in regulation. Our old friend Mario Hezonja, averaging 7.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game, seems to have fallen out of the Knicks rotation of late, recording DNPs in each of their last three games. But at least they sang him Happy Birthday... The Knicks, as expected of a team in all-out “Tryin for Zion” tank mode, enter with the league’s fourth worst offensive rating at 104.7 points per 100 possessions and the fourth worst defensive rating at 112.7 per. They are also dead last in both effective field goal percentage (48.7 percent) and true shooting (52.7 percent). The Magic have won five of their last six against the Knicks, who are 5-24 at home this season. Orlando won their last four match-ups at Madison Square Garden, including a 115-89 rout in November for the Magic’s largest margin of victory over the Knicks in franchise history. Orlando, owners of the league’s best Net Rating (14.4) in the month of February, has won six of their last seven games, and eight of their last 10. Since Jan. 1, the Magic have ranked second in the NBA in defensive efficiency (106.1 points allowed per 100 possessions), fourth in defensive rebounding percentage and 17th in offensive efficiency (110.0 points scored per 100 possessions). — Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) February 25, 2019 The Magic sit within a half game of the Hornets for the eighth spot, and within two games of the seventh-seeded Pistons, both of whom are idle on Tuesday.