NBA Handicapping Predictions – Magic vs Knicks
The Knicks have a 2.5 game lead over the Bucks, who they beat in their last game, for 8th and final playoff spot in the East, but can they hold on? Amare Stoudemire is out, and may be for the season, and both Jeremy Lin and Carmelo Anthony are questionable for tonight’s game.
Venue/ Stadium: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Time/Date: 7 PM EST Wednesday, March 28, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Orlando -1.5
Over/Under: 189
Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks Preview
It is not a good sign that New York’s 3 leading scorers may not play against an Orlando team that has a great defense and has won 3 straight.
In their last games the Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 89-80 and the Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 117-101.
This season the Knicks are 25-25 ATS with an O/U record of 18-32 and the Magic are 28-22 ATS with an O/U record of 23-25-2.
Earlier this season in New York the Magic beat the Knicks 102-93.
The Knicks have won 7 of 8 since Mike Woodson took over head coaching duties and the reason they are winning is because of their defense. With their scorers likely out tonight they will have to rely on their D to win this game.
One key in this game is how Knicks C Tyson Chandler plays D on Superman Dwight Howard. Howard is a beast in the lane and if he dominates the paint on both ends of the court New York will lose. Howard has 9 straight double doubles facing the Knicks averaging 25.4 ppg and 16.3 rpg in that span. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Knicks will have to play good perimeter D against a Magic team that has several long-range bombers led by Ryan Anderson, who has made143 3-pointers this season, which leads the NBA.
Chandler and the 3 guards of J.R. Smith, Landry Fields, and Iman Shumpert will have to step up on offense and take up some of the scoring slack, especially if Melo cannot go tonight.
No matter who plays the Knicks may struggle on offense facing a Magic defense that ranks 4th in the league in opponents’ points allowed.
In some betting trends for this Eastern Conference match up the Magic are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, and they have an Under record of 11-5 in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than 60%.
The Knicks are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games, 14-3 ATS in their last 17 home games, and they have an Under record of 6-0 in their last 6 games.
Jason’s Pick: Even if Melo goes tonight, which I think he will, the Magic are simply a much better team and they will win this game and cover the spread.
