Knicks at Magic: 5 Enchanting Questions With an Orlando Expert

The New York Knicks' calendar-year closing road trip continues on Friday night against the Orlando Magic.

An enchanting evening awaits the New York Knicks on Friday night.

New York (17-13) is set to wrap up a three-game road trip with one last back-to-back to conclude the 2023 calendar year. It begins on Friday at Kia Center against the Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET, MSG), who stand as one of the most pleasant surprises on the current Eastern Conference playoff bracket.

Despite cooling down from a 16-7 start, Orlando (18-12) seems well on pace to end a four-year playoff drought thanks in part to Paolo Banchero's continued grasp of the NBA game and the rise of several young talents like Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. New York is coming off a loss against a similarly-styled riser, having dropped a 129-120 decision to Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

In anticipation of the Knicks-Magic showdown, All Knicks spoke with Jeremy Brener, the lead contributor on Fan Nation's Orlando site, The Magic Insider.

Q: Orlando seems well on pace to end a three-year playoff drought. Where have the Magic grown the most this season?

JB: Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have simply gotten more consistent. They are figuring out the game in real time and now that the team has experience playing together, things are beginning to click. On top of that, the team has run it back with basically the same group it had last year and added a strong defensive rookie guard in Anthony Black.

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Q: Where has Paolo Banchero taken the biggest steps in his own game?

JB: He's become a much better three-point shooter. Last season, he shot under 30 percent, but this year, he's at a rate of nearly 36 this time around. He's also become physically stronger, making him more imposing on opposing defenders. The offense runs through him and it's really hard for opposing teams to stop a 6-10 forward who can score at all three levels.

Q: It stands to reason that both New York and Orlando will be looking to upgrade at the trade deadline. What will the Magic be looking for?

JB: Orlando has prided itself on continuity, and it's a big reason why the team is where it is. That likely means the Magic will be a quiet seller this February. That being said, the team could use another playmaking guard. Markelle Fultz has been out for most of the season, so the team has had to rely on players like Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Joe Ingles to fill that void. Orlando could also use one more three-point shooter to divert attention away from Wagner and Banchero.

Q: What has been lost with Markelle Fultz out of the lineup?

JB: Playmaking. Having a guard who can do it all on the offensive end has been a challenge for that first unit. Cole Anthony does a fine job of creating off the bench, but having someone who could take the load off of Banchero and Wagner could be helpful.

Sixth overall pick Anthony Black has done a good job filling in, but he's more of a defense-first guard who has the occasional hot game from three-point range. He's seen as the future at the position, but having a veteran who can have the ball in his hands more often would help.

Q: Who wins Friday's game and why?

JB: The Magic have a good record at home, but the team is still injured. If Jonathan Isaac and Gary Harris play, it'd be easier to feel more confident in Orlando's chances to win. If not, New York should pull out a victory. Even if Isaac and Harris play, the Knicks could pull it out simply because the Magic have struggled on the offensive end as of late. Knicks 115, Magic 108