by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Mar 07, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Friday, March 8, 2024
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to Watch: MSG
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Magic +1.5, Knicks -1.5; Over/Under: 208.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Magic +1.5, Knicks -1.5; Over/Under: 208.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Magic +1.5, Knicks -1.5; Over/Under: 208.5 points
Season Record
Orlando Magic: 37-26 (1st place, Southeast Division)
New York Knicks: 36-26 (2nd place, Atlantic Division)
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Recent Form
Orlando Magic: 8-2 last 10
New York Knicks: 3-7 last 10
Orlando Magic vs New York Knicks Preview and Analysis
The Magic are entering this game with a 37-26 record overall and they are 16-18 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 5 game winning streak with wins coming against the Brooklyn Nets, the Utah Jazz, the Detroit Pistons, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Washington Wizards in their last game. Franz Wagner led the team in points in that game with 28 while Paolo Banchero was next on the team with 25 points. Paolo Banchero led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Goga Bitadze led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 53.7% from the field, 44.4% from 3-point range, and 90.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 111.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.6 PPG against them. The Magic have an ATS record of 42-21 this season and their O/U record is 29-33-1.
The Knicks are entering this game with a 36-26 record overall and they are 20-12 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Atlanta Hawks in their last game. Donte DiVincenzo led the team in points in that game with 21 while Bojan Bogdanović was next on the team with 19 points. Miles McBride led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Jericho Sims led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 38.4% from the field, 30.8% from 3-point range, and 72.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.8 PPG against them. The Knicks have an ATS record of 31-29-2 this season and their O/U record is 24-38.
Magic vs Knicks Prediction
The current betting odds have the Magic listed as a 1.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Magic have looked really good in their games this season with their 37-26 record overall which has them surging up the standings in the East, now in 4th place and holding down a true playoff spot. They haven't looked great in their road games this year with their 16-18 road record, but they have also been correcting some of that bad play lately as they are really hot right now. Meanwhile, the Knicks have also looked really good in their games this season with their 36-26 record overall which has them in a playoff spot in the East too. They have also looked great on their home court with their 20-12 home record, but lately they haven't looked good as all the injuries they have been dealing with are starting to catch up to them now. The Knicks have looked terrible lately with their 3-7 record in their last 10 games and they are coming off another loss on their home court in their last one. The Magic have looked really good lately with their 8-2 record in their last 10 games and they have all the momentum on their side right now with 5 wins in a row. The Magic have been showing signs of this all season, but now they are starting to click and play with some consistency in their games, they will continue rolling here as they take advantage of a banged up Knicks team that hasn't been at their best lately. The best way to place a bet here is on the Magic to cover the spread in this game.
Magic Knicks Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Friday, March 8, 2024 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Magic 112 Knicks 107.
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NBA Betting Trends
Orlando Magic: 40-21 ATS in all games. 10-4 ATS off a road win. 26-13 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 28-16 UNDER after 4 straight games outrebounding the opponent by 5 or more. 8-3 UNDER off 2 consecutive wins by 10 points or more against division rivals.
New York Knicks: 14-22 ATS as a home underdog. 6-11 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent. 20-12 UNDER in home games. 7-1 UNDER after scoring 100 points or less. 12-5 UNDER revenging a road loss vs opponent.
Key Injuries
Orlando Magic: W. Carter Jr. (C) Ques Fri - Knee.
New York Knicks: J. Brunson (PG) Ques Fri - Knee. J. Randle (PF) Mid March - Shoulder. O. Anunoby (SF) Mid March - Elbow. M. Robinson (C) Mid April - Ankle.
Notable Quotes
“It is a tied-together group that loves to defend, loves to cover for each other, play the right way, play for one another. We talked about that. That was the conversation at halftime.” - Jamahl Mosley after his team’s win against the Wizards in their game on Wednesday.
“It wasn’t the game plan. It’s just our offense of driving and kicking. When you look at the whole first half, we were getting good looks, everybody was getting open looks and they weren’t falling. When they started falling, everyone started to gain confidence and we made those runs. And the fourth quarter just kinda tailed off.” - Donte DiVincenzo after their loss against the Hawks in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Orlando Magic
PG Jalen Suggs
SG Gary Harris
SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
New York Knicks
PG Jalen Brunson
SG Donte DiVincenzo
SF Josh Hart
PF Precious Achiuwa
C Isaiah Hartenstein
Statistical Leaders
Orlando Magic
PPG: P. Banchero (22.9)
APG: P. Banchero (5.2)
Reb/G: P. Banchero (6.8)
New York Knicks
PPG: J. Brunson (27.2)
APG: J. Brunson (6.6)
Reb/G: M. Robinson (10.3)
Coaches:
Orlando Magic: Jamahl Mosley (3rd season)
New York Knicks: Tom Thibodeau (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
