by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Oct 24, 2021
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to watch: MSG, Bally Sports Florida
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Knicks -12; O/U 214.5; Knicks -850, Magic +575
BetMGM: Knicks -12; O/U 214.5; Knicks -769, Magic +540
Caesars: Knicks -12; O/U 215; Knicks -800, Magic +550
Season record
Magic: 0-2
Knicks: 2-0
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Magic - Knicks preview and analysis
Recent form
Magic: lost 121-96 vs. Knicks on Friday
Knicks: won 138-134 (2OT) vs. Celtics on Wednesday prior to Magic game
The New York Knicks are out here to let you all know that last season was no fluke. Getting out of the first round of the playoffs may not be the fluke, but I digress.
To be fair, two games into this season against a lowly Boston Celtics team and the Orlando Magic don’t really do it for the most part, but the Knicks can still improve to 3-0 with a win over the Magic on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
This is the second half of the home-and-home between the Magic and Knicks. New York won by 25 points at Amway Center on Friday with seven players scoring in double figures. Julius Randle had 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in just 30 minutes, while Evan Fournier also chipped in with 18 points.
The Knicks needed that dominant win after almost blowing that game against the Celtics in their season opener. Despite it going two overtimes, the Knicks edged out Boston for a four-point win despite Jaylen Brown lighting up that defense. Not what was an ideal situation for Tom Thibodeau, but at least his Knicks came back to dominate defensively.
Orlando was held to 39.8 percent shooting while the Knicks were operating at a 50 percent clip. New York played all 14 guys in the rotation despite Nerlens Noel (knee) not being available in the lineup on Friday night, nor was Taj Gibson (personal). Imagine that game going to double overtime, right?
The Magic are in the midst of a painful rebuild with the hope that Jalen Suggs turns into a superstar. But that’s not looking promising at the moment after getting blown out of their home opener; two days after getting run out of the AT&T Center by 26 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
It doesn’t help that Orlando is down some key players in the lineup. Jonathan Isaac (knee), Markelle Fultz (knee) and Gary Harris (hamstring) eliminate a good 45-50 points in the Magic lineup, putting an onus on more contributions from the young backcourt of Suggs and last year’s first-round pick Cole Anthony.
All five starters scored in double figures in the loss to the Knicks, but Suggs and Anthony combined to go 7 of 27. Mo Bamba had a strong 15-point, 10-rebound double-double to give the Magic some hope, but they’re going to need someone to make some shots. No disrespect to Terrence Ross but he can’t be the focal point of your offense while he’s your 8th guy off the bench.
Prediction
The Magic are going to be in a rut for a while, and with the season series now shifting to MSG, Orlando is going to be in trouble on Sunday. Expect the first big game of the season for Kemba Walker, and Randle to have another strong double-double to push that win streak to three. Knicks by 17
Betting trends
The Magic are 2-12 in their last 14 ATS after trailing their previous two games by 10 points or more in the first half.
The Knicks are 30-14 ATS in their last 44 as a home favorite.
New York is 18-6 ATS coming off a road win in the past three seasons.
The Knicks are 9-1 in their last 10 ATS after leading their previous game by 15 or more at halftime.
Projected starting lineup
Magic:
PG: Cole Anthony
SG: Jalen Suggs
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Mo Bamba
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Mo Bamba
Knicks:
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Evan Fournier
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
Statistical leaders
Magic:
Points: Mo Bamba -- 16.5
Rebounds: Wendell Carter Jr. -- 9.5
Assists: Cole Anthony -- 5.0
Blocks: Mo Bamba -- 3.0
Steals: Jalen Suggs -- 1.5
Knicks:
Points: Julius Randle -- 28.0
Rebounds: Mitchell Robinson -- 13.0
Assists: Julius Randle -- 8.0
Blocks: Julius Randle -- 1.5
Steals: Evan Fournier -- 3.0
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
