Knicks vs Magic Picks, Prediction Tonight | Best Bet for Wednesday

Here's everything you need to know about Knicks vs. Magic on Wednesday, Feb. 14 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today.

Wednesday night’s NBA matchup between the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic is set to be a compelling contest, marked by significant player absences and contrasting team performances.

With the All-Star break right around the corner, the betting landscape is ripe with intrigue. Both teams are jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference standings, as the Knicks (33-21, fourth in East) and the Magic (29-25, eighth in East) face off for the third time this season after Orlando won the first two matchups.

Let's get to our Knicks vs. Magic pick and prediction.

New York has shown a balanced performance throughout the season, with their offensive and defensive metrics placing it in the middle of the pack in several key areas.

Offensively, the Knicks' effective field goal percentage (eFG%) ranks 16th, while their turnover percentage is a concern at 26th, indicating struggles in maintaining possession. However, their ability to secure offensive rebounds (seventh) and get to the free-throw line (third in free-throw rate) has kept their offense competitive.

Over their last 10 games, these trends have largely continued, though the absence of key players like Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby could exacerbate their turnover issues and impact their scoring and rebounding efficiency.

Defensively, the Knicks have been relatively solid, ranking 14th in eFG% allowed and sixth in defensive rebounding, showcasing their ability to limit opponents' scoring and secure the ball post-defense.

Yet, their middle-tier ranking in forcing turnovers (20th) suggests potential opportunities for the Magic to exploit, especially in transition.

The absences of Robinson and Randle — who are both pivotal in the Knicks' defensive schemes — could further diminish their defensive rebounding and interior defense in tonight’s game.

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The Magic, meanwhile, have leveraged their strengths effectively, especially at home.

Their offense might not be the most efficient in terms of shooting, ranking 24th in eFG%, but they excel in maintaining possession (11th in turnover percentage) and dominating the offensive glass (first in offensive rebounding percentage).

These traits suggest a team that maximizes its scoring opportunities through persistence and aggression. The Magic’s recent form has mirrored these season-long trends, with their home record of 17-8 underscoring their ability to leverage these advantages in front of their fans.

Defensively, the Magic have been impressive in generating turnovers (first) and securing defensive rebounds (third), disrupting opponents’ offensive flows and limiting second-chance points.

Their middle-of-the-road performance in eFG% allowed (15th) and a lower rank in free-throw rate allowed (23rd) indicate areas of vulnerability, but their overall defensive effort has been effective in stifling opposing offenses.

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Considering the statistical profiles, recent trends and the significant impact of player absences on the Knicks, taking the Magic to cover the 3-point spread is the best bet for this game.

The losses of Robinson, Randle and Anunoby for the Knicks remove critical components of both their offense and defense, likely exacerbating their existing issues with turnovers and impacting their rebounding strength.

On the other side, the Magic’s robust home record, combined with their ability to control the boards and protect the ball, positions them well to exploit the Knicks' weakened lineup.

The Magic's prowess in forcing turnovers and their aggressive rebounding — especially in the offensive domain — should provide them with additional possessions and scoring opportunities, which will be crucial in covering the 3-point spread.

With the game taking place in Orlando, the Magic's demonstrated ability to maximize their home-court advantage further tilts the prediction in their favor.

The compounded effects of New York’s player absences and Orlando’s strengths in key statistical areas — plus the fact the Magic have beaten the Knicks twice this season — make the Magic -3 at FanDuel my favorite pick for tonight’s matchup.

Pick: Magic -3