New York Knicks at Orlando Magic NBA Picks & Predictions 2/22/2018

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Amway Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New York Knicks head to Amway Center to take on the Orlando Magic on Thursday, February 22, 2018. The opening line for this game has Orlando as 3.5 point favorites.

The Knicks head into this matchup with a mark of 23-36. They are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.4 as they are averaging 103.7 points per contest while giving up 106.1 per game. The Magic have an overall record of 18-39. They currently are 4th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 105.5 points per game and surrendering 109.8, good for a point differential of -4.3.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 28-31-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 29-29-1 against the over/under

Important Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 28-29-0 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 25-32-0 against the over/under

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/07/18 F Kristaps Porzingis ACL is out for season

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/30/17 F Jonathan Isaac Ankle is out indefinitely
11/30/17 G Terrence Ross Knee is out indefinitely
02/18/18 F Aaron Gordon Hip is "?" Thursday vs New York
02/18/18 C Nikola Vucevic Hand is "?" Thursday vs New York

Player Spotlight

Courtney Lee comes into this game averaging 13.1 points per contest while playing 32.6 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 94%. Tim Hardaway averages 16.7 points per contest in 32.6 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.8 assists per game and 4.1 rebounds per contest for New York. His field goal percentage is 41% for the season while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Jonathon Simmons has scored 13.8 points per contest while playing 28.9 minutes per game this season for the Magic. He hauls in 3.4 rebounds per contest and has 2.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 77%. Evan Fournier averages 17.9 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 32.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.1 rebounds per game and 2.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 103.7 points per contest this year, which is 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.44 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 12th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 44.2 boards per contest and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 8th with 15.3 per game. The Knicks allow 106.1 points per contest which is 16th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 13th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.2 rebounds a game which ranks 11th, and they allow 23.4 assists per game which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 15th in the NBA with 105.5 points per contest this season. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -4.21. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 23rd in the league. They are 25th in the NBA in rebounding with 41.5 boards per contest and 11th in assists per game with 23.3. The Magic are 13th in turnovers per contest with 14.7. The Magic give up 109.8 points per game, which ranks them 26th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 25th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 24.3 dimes allowed per game and 27th with 45.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Magic are 12th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 106.5 is ranked 15th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 24th. As a unit they are 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA. New York is 8th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 19th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 12th in the league. The Magic are 19th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.9, and their defensive rating of 111.2 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 14th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Knicks/Magic NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take New York +3.5

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