Knicks vs. Magic: 5 Questions Ahead of Matchup

The Orlando Magic hosts the New York Knicks tonight. Here are five questions before the game at the Kia Center.

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic looks to get back on track tonight against the New York Knicks.

To learn more about tonight's opponent, we spoke with All Knicks editor Geoff Magliochietti.

Q: Jalen Brunson continues to be the star for the Knicks. How has he improved in his second season with New York?

GM: For one thing, Brunson has taken full advantage of a year in the Knicks' system under his belt and that's led to a sense of fearlessness from the field. Through 30 games, Brunson not only ranks in the top 10 among successful three-point shooters (45.3 percent) but he's hitting them at a high volume (190 attempts, most among the 10. 

But the most impactful, perhaps most surprising, evolution is Brunson's willingness to put himself in harm's way and serve as a last line of defense in the paint. To date, Brunson is second in the Association in charges drawn, getting 17 such calls from officials. With young Central Florida star Moe Wagner right behind him (15), it'll be interesting to see if a sacrifice from one of these backcourt bruisers winds up serving as a turning point on Friday.

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Q: If the Knicks win Friday, what would be the reason why?

GM: They embrace the sense of adaptability and resiliency that has sustained them in the face of adversity.

In terms of adaptability, the Knicks have survived the long-term departure of Mitchell Robinson by proving more than capable of winning in shootouts. Brunson has been shooting lights out (averaging 27.3 points on just under 50 percent shooting in December), Julius Randle has resembled his All-Star form, and Immanuel Quickley has hit at least 20 points in four of his last five games, even as controversy surrounds his Manhattan project. 

As long as Brunson and Randle keep up their current paces, there's no way that the Knicks are going to sell and they'll, at the very least, linger among the Eastern Conference's top contenders, no matter how unwelcome they may be. Things could've derailed after the Knicks loss to the lowly Utah Jazz in the opener of a five-game road trip earlier this month but they recovered to finish 3-2. 

Wednesday's loss to Oklahoma City hints at bigger issues but immediate resilience has proved to be plentiful. Facing an Orlando team that ranks 22nd in scoring despite the excitement surrounding them makes it vital to get off to a hot start from the field.

Q: What’s one thing people should know about the Knicks that they couldn’t find in a box score?

GM: Call it the Mitchell Robinson effect. 

Presumably out for the season with an ankle injury, Robinson was an x-factor in the Knicks that he forced teams to deal with a weapon that's becoming more of an endangered species in the modern Association, that of the traditional center. Never one to light up the scoresheet, Robinson continued to make his living as a paint-dweller who dared opponents to invade while pulling in crucial rebounds (particularly those of the second chance variety). 

Despite Robinson's absence (quite noticeable in opposing point totals), the Knicks seem intent on keeping his memory alive. Since Robinson went down, they're getting to the foul line (over 26 attempts per game) and picking up the second chances (averaging 11.1 offensive rebounds in the 10 games he has missed). Opposing scoring and rebounding margins have yet to find a replacement for Robinson, but his understudy Isaiah Hartenstein has proven well capable of filling a traditional center's duties while trying to make a name for himself in other areas of the floor.

Q: What's a matchup that you are looking forward to seeing?

GM:  Seeing Brunson and Wagner make sacrifices in the paint will be something to keep an eye on but in the grander scheme of things, it'll be interesting to see what the latter's twin brother Franz does in the matchup against RJ Barrett on Friday.

Franz, forced to take on larger duties with Joe Ingles ailing, is in the midst of a third-year revolution, similar to what Barrett enjoyed during the 2021-22 campaign. He's been on a tear over the last four games, averaging 26.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. 

That's a stark contrast to what's going on in Barrett's realm, as he's reached 20 only once in the past six games. It's perhaps admirable to see the Knicks try to make the Barrett project work but there's no denying that he's running out of time. A solid showcase in a back-to-back against rising teams to close the calendar year would certainly leave at least some Manhattan roster organizers with a sense of reassurance. It won't come easy against the Wagner boys, though.  

Knicks vs. Magic GAMEDAY Preview: How to Watch, Injury Report, Betting Odds

Q: What's your prediction for Friday’s game?

GM: Even with this season relatively young, the Knicks have survived and endured several opportunities where things could've gone off the rails. The landmark of a three-game, calendar year-closing road trip against three of the NBA's rising groups is perhaps another landmark, especially letting the Oklahoma City Thunder's young triumvirate go off for 92 points on Wednesday (they see Obi Toppin for the first time when they face the Indiana Pacers on Saturday).

Having said that, the Knicks have been incredibly resilient and responsive, at least on a smaller scale. At this point, they're well-versed in the art of keeping a top six Eastern Conference position and doing so against the fledgling contenders from Orlando (who are still learning how to win in bunches) should be an attainable goal. Knicks 124, Magic 120