Posted at 8:00 AM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle +103 BET365 +100 Sportsinteraction +100 888Sport +100

New York ML over Orlando

Best Odds: +103 at Pinnacle

7:40 PM EST. Bookies are telling us who's winning this game by their opening line, although lord knows "they" are not always right. The Magic have owned the Knicks this season, 3-0 in their series so far, and NYK has been banged up beyond comprehension lately. Recent history doesn't suggest the Knicks should be chalk against most teams, let alone a program like Orlando that's won 5 games in a row.

But the initial spread (Knicks -1½) indicates that we'll very likely see the return of Jalen Brunson, the former Maverick turned Madison Square Garden star, who's the centerpiece and heart of his team's resurgence this season. He's a leader of a group of blue-collared, gritty two-way players who seem to reach new heights with him on their roster, and his responsibilities are formidable. Brunson is the point guard, primary ball-handler, and of course, the Knicks' leading scorer (27.2 ppg, 7th overall). When healthy and on the court, the difference he makes for New York is substantial, as seen in four games without their leader. The Knicks went 1-3 and averaged only 100 ppg without him.

Another good bit of news for the home team is OG Anunoby has started participating in basketball activities following a minor surgery. A key defensive piece and perfect fit since he came to New York via trade, Anunoby elevates their front and mid-court defense and he's a talented scorer to boot. There's a slight chance he returns Friday, but the positive news is a motivator for New York either way. Even better, Julius Randle has begun "light contact" in practices, a sign that he could be nearing a return. And perhaps best of all - rising star center Mitchell Robinson, one of the NBA's best defenders when healthy this season, has begun "running and jumping," according to ESPN. A fully healthy Knicks' squad could be a reality come playoff time, which in our opinion, should terrify the Eastern Conference. New York was one of the best teams in the NBA through December and January, before their epidemic of injuries.

Coincidentally, during the Knicks' recent hiccups, the Orlando Magic took advantage. Disney World's team has bypassed the Knicks for the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, which should add extra motivation for the home team tonight.

No doubt the Magic have played well lately, winning 10 of their last 12 and covering 7 of their last 9. Of course, if you look at their wins with an objective lens, they haven't exactly beaten a murderer's row of NBA programs, either. Their last 8 wins have come against the Knicks (ahem), Cavs, Hawks, Nets, Jazz, Pistons, Hornets, and Wizards. There are only two playoff teams in that bunch, most likely, and their recent victories over New York and Cleveland weren't all that impressive, either. Each opponent had horrific injury reports.

We're not saying the Magic don't deserve some flowers; they do. Their defense is a legit top 10, fringe top 5 group, and their young talent, sparked by Paolo Banchero's renaissance, has been fun to watch. They have chemistry and moxie, but they're also youngn and very new at this "winning thing." And if you peruse their schedule, they've been very successful against mid or lower-tier teams this season, but not so much against the top 6 in each conference. Except, of course, against the Knicks.

But the Knicks are mostly a veteran group that's been in tougher positions before, and this time they shouldn't be facing their new rival without their star (at least that's where the news is trending). As we near mid-March, we're nearly one month away from playoff action. These big matchups matter more and more, and when a team is becoming more desperate, home court matters even more, too. Madison Square Garden will be rocking, and we like the battle-ready Knicks and Jalen Brunson to find a way to win.

Farley

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