Meet the Opponent: Knicks, Magic Battle for NBA Cup Group Crown

The Orlando Magic's biggest game so far this season also presents the team's toughest test: a New York Knicks team built for big aspirations. With a guaranteed spot in the NBA Cup on the line, the matchup is a clash of elite offense versus elite defense.

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives to the basket in the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

NEW YORK – The scene in New York Tuesday night should be a special one.

High stakes. Two teams riding extended stretches of good play. Madison Square Garden. A national television audience.

The Orlando Magic's clash with the New York Knicks will determine who advances to the knockout round of the Emirates NBA Cup from East Group A. Each team enters the contest 3-0, but the Magic lead the Knicks in point differential.

As for regular-season implications, the matchup pits the East's third- and fourth-place teams for the first time this season. The Magic have won six straight games and 12 of 13 — all without All-Star Paolo Banchero, who just returned to the court for light activity after a month of healing. The Knicks have won seven of their past 10, and surely will have a rowdy Garden atmosphere to accompany them.

TNT reversed course and picked up the game for its early primetime window. As early-season games come, few have more import than this one.

Meet the Knicks

Key Returners

• Jalen Brunson: 25.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 48.6 FG%, 41.1 3PT%
• OG Anunoby: 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 48.3 FG%, 36.8 3PT%
• Josh Hart: 13.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 59.0 FG%, 38.2 3PT%
• Miles McBride: 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 46.5 FG%, 40.5 3PT%

Key Additions

• Karl-Anthony Towns (trade from MIN): 25.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 53.3 FG%, 45.5 3PT%
• Mikal Bridges (trade from BKN): 16.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 46.6 FG%, 33.1 3PT%
• Cam Payne (free agency): 8.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists

Key Subtractions

• Julius Randle (trade to MIN): 21.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists
• Donte DiVincenzo (trade to MIN): 9.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 33.3 3PT%
• Isaiah Hartenstein (free agency): 15.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 61.1 FG%

About the Knicks

Notable Numbers

• 6th net rating (#1 offense, #22 defense)
• 2nd eFG% (57.8), 20th opp. eFG% (54.8)
• 29th FTA rate (.217), 13th opp. FTA rate (.237)
• 5th TOV%, (13.0), 25th opp. TOV% (13.0)
• 2nd home point differential (+14.1)
• 4th drive points/game (30.1)
• 3rd catch-and-shoot FG% (40.7)

On paper, this game sets up as a contrast of styles: Orlando's take-no-prisoners defense versus New York's high-octane offense. The Magic have made it an emphasis to take their third-ranked defense wherever they go, but the Knicks' attack may be the toughest to contain yet.

Jalen Brunson has himself a new All-Star caliber forward in Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds in his new digs. The late shake-up trade sent KAT to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who are still struggling to adjust with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

It wasn't the first big deal Leon Rose and the Knicks front office made this offseason. The Knicks also acquired Brooklyn's Mikal Bridges, the former Villanova teammate and longtime friend of Brunson and Josh Hart.

The offseason acquisitions, the Knicks believe, better position them to tackle the champion Boston Celtics and their seemingly endless supply of wing scorers. And Brunson, a traditionally "small" guard, gets some defensive cover on the perimeter.

That said, some metrics suggest that the Knicks' defense is far behind its offense – one of just three teams in the NBA with a winning record and a bottom-10 defensive rating. But in terms of points allowed, they're 11th in the league (111.5). The Magic score only 108.0 points a night, but they allow the fewest points per game.

One team will try to outscore you, and the other will try to prevent you from scoring at all. Something has to give Tuesday night.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

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• MAGIC-KNICKS INJURY REPORT: Who's in, who's out for Orlando and New York Tuesday night? CLICK HERE
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• 3 THINGS MAGIC ARE THANKFUL FOR: Wrecking-ball defense, another star and being unbeatable at home – there's plenty to be thankful for with the Magic this year. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC GIVE BACK THIS THANKSGIVING: See how the Magic organization gave back to Central Florida's less fortunate this holiday. CLICK HERE
• FRANZ HAS 'GOTTA BE' AN ALL-STAR, SHAMS SAYS: Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner has been turning heads and forcing people to take notice of his recent performances. Now, ESPN's Shams Charania says he should be an All-Star lock. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC-KNICKS BACK ON NATIONAL TV: The NBA and TNT reversed a decision made less than two weeks ago to take the Magic-Knicks Dec. 3 game off of national TV, announcing Sunday that TNT would again pick up the exclusive broadcast. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S 2024-25 SCHEDULE: See the complete slate for the Orlando Magic in 2024-25 and all the details – dates, locations, TV, tip times, and more – that you need to know. CLICK HERE

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