New York Knicks at Orlando Magic
Time: 7 PM ET, Dec 23, 2013
Spread: NYK -1.5
Total: 192
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
For two teams with nearly identical records, the direction and paths could not be any more different. The New York Knicks were expected to be a contender in the Eastern Conference this year, but at time’s issue the team stood just half a game ahead of its opponent tonight, the 8-19 Orlando Magic. NBA oddsmakers at Bovada find the home team Magic to be 1.5-point dogs in this contest, and given the fact that the Magic are a decent team at home, this one may be too close to call.
Last time out, the Magic fell 105-100 to the Sacramento Kings. Arron Afflalo made his return from injury to score 26 points and he leads the team with 21 points per game this season.
But that does nothing to ensure a home in Orlando; the team will be actively shopping its veterans at the trade deadline in hopes of acquiring young talent on rookie deals or future first round picks. With Afflalo’s performance, GM Rob Hennigan will be tempted to see what he can obtain in exchange for the talented 2-guard.
The Magic have a host of nice young pieces around Afflalo in Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris and No. 2 overall 2013 draft pick Victor Oladlipo. The team will be far under the cap by next summer, and Hennigan will seek to shape it into a contender.
For a Knicks team saddled with one of the league’s highest payrolls, though, it’s more about trying to right the ship this season. Tyson Chandler has missed all but six games and it’s weakened the Knick defense even more. Carmelo Anthony is still doing his thing, but he has less help than ever. J.R. Smith is averaging just 11.2 points per game and starting point guard Ray Felton has been a huge disappointment with a horrible PER of just 11.2
The Knicks will try to start righting the ship tonight, while the Magic will continue to develop their young talent in an attempt to shape the team’s future. But for two teams that are both out of the playoff picture, only the Magic can be optimistic about those prospects.
NY Trends: OVER 5-0-1 in last 6 vs teams with losing SU records; 2-11 ATS in last 13 on 1 days rest; 5-1 ATS in last 6 following ATS loss.
ORL Trends: OVER 6-0 in last 6 vs teams with losing SU records; UNDER 5-1 in last 6 following SU loss; 4-1 ATS in last 5 following ATS loss
Head-to-head: Knicks 7-0 ATS in last 7 meetings; Knicks 4-0 ATS in last 4 in Orlando; OVER 5-1-1 in last 7 meetings in Orlando.
