The New York Knicks (15-36) will have their hands full against the league’s top scoring defense when they clash against the Orlando Magic (22-29) at Madison Square Garden. The game will air on Fox SportsNet Florida at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 6, 2020.
Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks ATS Prediction
In the Magic’s last matchup, they were 4.5-point favorites and were defeated by the Boston Celtics, 116-100. The combined points for the game (216) came in over the projected point total of 203.5. Boston’s 11.4 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Orlando, who had a mark of 16.2. The Celtics’ mark was better than their season average of 11.7, while the Magic’s was above their season average of 10.8. Orlando’s Aaron Gordon had a solid game, contributing 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last outing, 139-134, covering as 2.5-point favorites. The combined points for the game (273) finished well over the O/U total of 216. The Knicks held the Cavaliers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 12.8 (below their season average of 24.5) and had a turnover percentage of 9.7 (better than their season average of 12.1). With 17 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds, Elfrid Payton led the way for New York with his zeroth triple-double this season.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Nikola Vucevic scored a game-high 21 points and the Magic defeated the Knicks 95-83, covering as 9.5-point favorites. He also had 13 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 178 points, which was 31.5 points below the projected point total of 209.5 points. The Magic had a better turnover percentage (7.0 vs. 10.8) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (29.2 vs. 20.8).
Orlando heads into the contest with records of 22-29 straight up (SU) and 22-24-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Magic are involved, as 29 of their 50 games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, New York is 15-36 SU and 26-24-1 ATS. Similarly to Orlando, games featuring the Knicks also have a tendency to go under the projected point total (58.8 percent).
New York could have trouble getting to the charity stripe in this matchup. The Knicks currently rank 26th in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.177, while Orlando ranks fourth in FTA rate allowed (0.168).
Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks ATS Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Orlando is 13-10-2 ATS with 13 overs and 12 unders.
New York is 12-12-1 ATS at home with 16 unders and 9 overs.
In games where they allow under 100 points, New York is 6-3 and Orlando is 12-4.
The Knicks are 13-22 when they score more than 100 points, while the Magic are 18-11.
New York ranks third in second chance points per game (14.8) while Orlando ranks 20th (12.5).
The Magic rank fifth in blocks per game (5.8) while the Knicks rank 21st (4.5).
Orlando ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.0) while New York ranks 16th (17.0).
The Knicks rank seventh in rebounds per game (46.3) while the Magic rank 21st in rebounds allowed per game (46.0).
Orlando ranks fifth in fast break points allowed per game (11.8) while New York ranks 17th (13.3).
The Magic rank fifth in steals per game (8.4) while the Knicks rank 14th (7.6).
Orlando ranks 22nd in three pointers attempted per game (31.2) while New York ranks 28th (29.8).
The Magic rank 23rd in assists per game (22.7) while the Knicks rank 28th (21.4).
New York ranks 23rd in points in the paint per game (45.8) while Orlando ranks 27th (44.4).
Over its last five outings, Orlando is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
New York is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Magic’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.6, up from 1.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 107.8 points per game (3.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.0 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
