Game Preview
The Orlando Magic (19-12) are riding a two-game win streak into this matchup against the red-hot New York Knicks (20-10), winners of their last five. While the Knicks boast the better overall record, the Magic have been a formidable foe at home, sporting a 14-6 mark over their last 20 games at just under a 70% win rate.
Offense has been the Knicks' calling card, averaging a blistering 124.7 points per game on nearly 50% shooting from the field. They've been even more prolific of late, eclipsing 138 points per contest over their last 10 games while draining over 40% of their three-point attempts. The Knicks' balanced attack has featured 30 assists per game, spearheaded by their ball movement and a shade under 47 rebounds.
The Magic, however, have tightened up defensively, holding opponents to just 102.7 points over their last 20 outings. Their active hands have generated nearly 10 steals per game during this stretch. While not as explosive offensively, Orlando has found its rhythm scoring 107 points per game on the season while crashing the boards for 42 rebounds.
This clash pits the Knicks' high-octane offense against the Magic's stingy defense in what should be a compelling Eastern Conference showdown. New York's five-game win streak has seen them firing on all cylinders, but Orlando has been nearly unbeatable at home of late. If the Magic can control the tempo and force the Knicks into a grind-it-out affair, this could be a thrilling clash of contrasting styles.