Magic vs Knicks Prediction, Picks, & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The New York Knicks will look to bounce back from a two-game losing streak by returning home to host the undermanned Orlando Magic on Monday night.

The Knicks are in perfect position to run away with tonight’s game, which is why I’m taking them to cover in my Magic vs. Knicks predictions below.

Read on to see why I like New York and more in my free NBA picks for Monday, January 6.

Magic vs Knicks prediction

My best bet
Knicks -12 (-110 at bet365)

My analysis

After an outstanding start to their season, the Orlando Magic are at what they must hope will be the low point of this campaign. Superstar Paolo Banchero remains out with a torn oblique, and while he’s close to returning, Mortiz Wagner is out for the season with a torn ACL. Franz Wagner is also out indefinitely with his own oblique injury, while Jalen Suggs exited a Friday game with back spasms.

For now, then, what seemed like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference is now struggling to put together an NBA-quality roster. Considering Orlando will be playing the second game of a back-to-back tonight — after losing 105-92 to the Utah Jazz on Sunday — this is exactly the matchup the Knicks needed.

The New York Knicks suffered their first two-game losing streak in months over the weekend, dropping games at the Oklahoma City Thunder (117-107) and the Chicago Bulls (139-126) on Friday and Saturday, respectively. But barring an absolute disaster, the Knicks should have no problems with the Magic tonight.

New York has been one of the most efficient offensive units in the league, shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.2% from three-point range. The Knicks have two elite scorers in Jalen Brunson (25.4 ppg) and Karl-Anthony Towns (25.3 ppg), both of whom would have been headaches for Orlando even in a straight-up matchup between these two teams at full strength.

If the Magic could have played this game with their full roster, they’d at least have a chance of slowing down New York’s attack. Orlando ranks second in the league in points allowed at 103.5 ppg as well as in defensive rating (106.4).

While the Magic still aren’t allowing many points even with their depleted roster, a lot of that comes down to pace, as Orlando ranks dead last in that metric, playing the slowest basketball in the league.

So while the Knicks won’t score as many points as they are accustomed to, they’ll be efficient with their chances. Meanwhile, the Magic have virtually no chance of keeping up even in a game with modest scoring. Their top 4 scorers are all out or likely out for tonight’s game, meaning that center Goga Bitadze (9.9 ppg) is the leading scorer for Orlando.

Against a Knicks team that looks like a dark horse title contender, it’s too much to ask this JV version of the Orlando roster to even keep this game close. I’m taking New York to cover.

Magic vs Knicks same-game parlay

Knicks -11.5

Under 210.5

Karl-Anthony Towns Over 39.5 points + rebounds

The Knicks should dominate the action tonight, and normally, I would suggest that means they’d also control the pace of play. But the last two games between these teams have both ended in totals well Under 200 points, and with Orlando’s depleted roster, I can’t see the Magic adding much to the total. I’m adding an Under bet to my SGP.

I’ll also take Karl-Anthony Towns to go Over his total for combined points and rebounds. Towns has gone Over his total of 39.5 here in each of his last five games, and even if there’s not much offense tonight, he’ll be able to make up for it on the boards.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Magic vs Knicks odds

Magic vs Knicks live odds

Magic vs Knicks opening odds

• Spread: Orlando +11 | New York -11
• Moneyline: Orlando +435 | New York -573
• Over/Under: Over 209.5 | Under 209.5

Odds courtesy of bet365

Magic vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis

• Orlando is 19-17-1 against the spread this year, while New York has put up an 18-17-1 ATS mark on the season.
• The Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
• The Under has a 22-16 edge in Orlando’s games this season, with the Over holding the 20-16 edge when New York plays.
• The Knicks are playing to an average total of 228.5 ppg. The Magic are averaging a total of 208.7 ppg. 

Magic vs Knicks trend

The Knicks are 6-3 ATS in their last nine home games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Knicks.

How to watch Magic vs Knicks

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