The New York Knicks (1-0) head south to take on the Orlando Magic (0-1) Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from Amway Center. Below, we look at the Knicks vs. Magic odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Knicks, who were one of the best Against The Spread teams in the NBA last season, are coming off a thrilling double-overtime win over the Boston Celtics and look to continue their dominance in their second game. New York is led by F Julius Randle and enters as a heavy favorite despite being on the road.
Center Mohamed Bamba and G Cole Anthony lead the Magic with F Jonathan Isaac sidelined. Orlando started the season with a brutal 26-point road loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Magic started two rookies — Guards Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs — along with Anthony in the defeat as they remain at the beginning of a lengthy rebuild.
Knicks at Magic odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks -320 (bet $320 to win $100) | Magic +250 (bet $100 to win $250)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks -7.5 (-110) | Magic -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 212.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Knicks at Magic key injuries
Knicks
- PF Taj Gibson (personal reasons) questionable
- C Nerlens Noel (left knee) out
Magic
- PG Markelle Fultz (left knee) out
- SG Gary Harris (right hamstring) out
- PF Jonathan Isaac (left knee) out
- SG E’Twaun Moore (left knee) out
- PF Chuma Okeke (right hip) out
- PG Michael Carter-Williams (left ankle) out
Knicks at Magic odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 106, Magic 97
Money line
PASS on the money line.
There’s just not much value in Knicks -320. They should win this game against a heavily injured Magic team that started two rookies in a blowout loss to the Spurs.
However, odds this steep on the money line shouldn’t be considered as upsets run rampant in the NBA.
Against the spread
BET on the KNICKS -7.5 (-110) as the best value. After covering a 2.5-point spread in double overtime at home against the Celtics, New York hits the road for the first time.
While I do love the Knicks, PF Julius Randle, PG Derrick Rose, and others like SG Alec Burks and SG Evan Fournier don’t quite get it done against elite competition, as was shown in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
However, the Magic aren’t elite competition, and the Knicks did have the fourth-best defensive rating in the NBA last season. That’s really all you need to know.
The Magic will again start two rookies against a mighty defense. That’s a recipe for disaster as no player reached 20 points as the team failed to score 100 in their season opener at San Antonio.
Did you see the above injury report? That’s just disastrous for the home team.
I’m siding with the team that has actual expectations this season against one with multiple rookies that relies on Mo Bamba for scoring.
It’s just the better bet in this instance. The line opened at -6, and is up as -8 in some places, so bettors are going heavy on New York.
Over/Under
“LEAN” on the UNDER 212.5 (-110).
The Magic only mustered 97 points in their opener, and while the Knicks did put up 138 against the Celtics, they also did have the 22nd-best offensive rating last year and the game went to double overtime.
Randle, Rose, Burks, and Fournier are all certainly capable of having an off night which is why money line wagers aren’t ideal. Randle and Fournier combining for 67 a second game is unlikely.
However, the Knicks’ defense and the Magic’s injuries to go with their youth point all things to the Under for a comfortable half unit bet.
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