The New York Knicks (9-5) and Orlando Magic (9-7) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. EST from Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The game will broadcast live on NBA TV.
The Knicks are 1.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Knicks -1.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. New York is a -120 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Orlando is +100 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Knicks vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, November 22.
My Knicks vs Magic Prediction
- Knicks vs Magic pick: Mikal Bridges Over 1.5 Steals (-131)
My Magic vs Knicks best bet is on Mikal Bridges Over 1.5 steals, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Knicks vs Magic Odds
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 228.5 -112o / -108u | -120 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 228.5 -112o / -108u | +100 |
Knicks vs Magic NBA Preview
The rematch from last Wednesday's Magic win in Madison Square Garden is worth setting the stage for with two teams heading in slightly opposite directions.
The Knicks are more talented and healthier, but does it matter?
The Magic have won five of six while short-handed and have gradually gotten back to their defense-first identity, while their offense has slowed in pace, but is more effective.
The Knicks have had an uneasy week as their up-and-down season continues. However, they've been able to "talent" their way to 9-5 and just got their first road win Wednesday in Dallas — barely.
The Knicks are 9-5 this year, splitting their last four games but posting a -9 point differential since their Nov. 11 win over Memphis.
You can point out the Knicks lost to Orlando the next day because, despite being home, they were at a rest disadvantage on the second day of a back-to-back if you want.
What I would tell you is that the 124-107 loss to Orlando was squarely on New York.
The Knicks led Memphis by 28 points with less than two minutes to go in the third. Most of the fourth quarter should've been garbage time, but they allowed Memphis to cut the lead to 10 in about a 7-minute span.
Additionally, they were outrebounded by a Magic team that didn't lose Paolo Banchero in the first half — he's still out, by the way — this despite the Knicks having no one else averaging seven boards per contest.
It's a potential revenge spot from New York.
Nevertheless, the Magic are undoubtedly in better form heading into tonight, even if the Knicks are better on paper.
As I always say: Paper don't play.
OG Anunoby (hamstring) is the only big absence for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson, who came back earlier than expected on Wednesday, is probably (ankle).
Banchero (groin) is still out, as is Mo Wagner (ACL recovery).
Knicks vs Magic Prediction, Betting Analysis
Mikal Bridges has hit Over 1.5 steals in four straight games.
It's almost as if Anunoby not being there made him more of a risk-taker and amplified the Knicks' need for his perimeter defense and overall two-way play.
In his last five, he has recorded — in order — four, two, seven, two and three steals. In that span, Bridges only logged under 35 minutes once — the Knicks' first blowout loss to Orlando.
This is an autoplay for me until the run stops.
I've been hammering Mitchell Robinson rebounds, which he has also gotten consecutively (Over 7.5 in six straight), but I'm a little less keen on playing it at -140 tonight.
I'll log in the Action App if I change my mind.
Pick: Mikal Bridges Over 1.5 Steals (-131, DraftKings)
