Knicks vs. Magic: 3 Best Bets

Check out our best bets as the Orlando Magic takes on the New York Knicks.

The Orlando Magic (18-12) hosts the New York Knicks (17-13) tonight in an Eastern Conference brawl. The Magic is holding on to its hopes of hosting a playoff series, and the Knicks are trying to rise up in the standings. Both teams lost on Wednesday and are trying to return to their winning ways established earlier this season.

Franz Wagner (22) brings the ball up the court.  / Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Both teams have a rather hefty injury report tonight. Orlando will be without Kevon Harris, Markelle Fultz, and Joe Ingles. Jonathan Isaac and Gary Harris are questionable. The Knicks won’t play Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims.

Keep reading for our three best bets, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point spread: Knicks -1.5 (-105)/Magic +1.5 (-118)

Moneyline: Knicks (-118)/Magic (-105)

Over/under: 226.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Paolo Banchero OVER 23.5 points (-111)

After a 19-point “dud” against the Philadelphia 76ers, Paolo Banchero should be back to form against a depleted New York frontcourt. Julius Randle isn’t exactly known as a defensive stopper, and the Magic use Banchero and Wagner to score the majority of their points, so expect a big outing from the second year forward.

Opponent pick: Jalen Brunson UNDER 26.5 points (-133)

Brunson averages 26 points this season and 28.6 over his last five games, but none of those matchups were against a defensive-minded backcourt. Jalen Suggs should prove to be a worthy candidate to end Brunson’s hot streak.

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Scoring pick: Franz Wagner OVER 23.5 points (-125)

Despite shooting a lousy four-of-17 from deep over his last four games, Franz Wagner has averaged 26.3 points. For the same reasons that Banchero should hit his over, Wagner should do the exact same tonight. Not much has been able to slow him down in December, and he is confidently among one of the league’s best young players and criminally underrated. Under the bright lights that come when the Knicks are in town, expect Wagner to show out.