Wednesday night in the NBA will see the Orlando Magic travel north to take on the New York Knicks. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on ESPN. Currently the odds have Orlando favored by 2 points with the total sitting at 189 points for the contest.
Free Analysis: The playoff-hopeful New York Knicks will close out a three- game homestand tonight versus the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are two games ahead of Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and have won seven of their last eight games, including Monday's 89-80 triumph over the Bucks. Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Tyson Chandler and Baron Davis netted 13 points apiece for New York, which won despite shooting 35.1 percent and committing 23 turnovers. "It was huge," Chandler said of Anthony's performance. "I know that he's been upset with himself but we all told him that he's been playing great for us, especially on this winning streak." Anthony said he felt the need to contribute more without Stoudemire and Lin, and he helped the Knicks (25-25) to their 5th straight home win. The injury bug may have hit the New York Knicks at the wrong time as they cling to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With Amare Stoudemire out and Jeremy Lin and Carmelo Anthony questionable to play Wednesday night, New York hosts the surging Orlando Magic. Woodson has helped New York transition from the run-and-gun offense of former coach Mike D'Antoni to a defensive focus, which he said is most important if the Knicks are to contend.The Knicks have averaged 87.8 points over their last four, but they've won three times while allowing 83.5 points per game in that stretch. Overall they are allowing an average of 86.0 points under Woodson compared to 96.5 under D'Antoni. Orlando is seeded third in the Eastern Conference and has won three straight since losing three of four games. In a 117-101 win at Toronto on Monday, Ryan Anderson connected on 8-of-13 three-point attempts en route to a game-high 28 points. "It was just us moving the ball and coming out with a ton of energy," Anderson said postgame. "We were getting into pick-and-rolls and really moving the defense around. That's something we need to do more of." Anderson now leads the NBA with 143 3-point baskets after making 134 all last season and his eight 3-pointers are the second-most by an Orlando player this season. The Knicks have been playing great defense of late, but the Magic has been playing great defense all year long as they are 4th in points allowed (91.9 ppg) and 9th in defensive FG% (43.6%), while on the road (14-10) they have allowed just 92.7 ppg. Howard scored eight points in the first meeting with the Knicks, ending his string of nine straight double-doubles in the series, during which he averaged 25.4 points and 16.3 rebounds. Anthony scored 33 points in that game and is averaging 28.6 points lifetime against the Magic - his best versus any team except the 29.9 he averaged against the Knicks while with Denver. he Magic won the first meeting with New York, 102-93, at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 16 and are 14-3 in the past 17 matchups between the teams. They have also prevailed in five of their last six trips to the Big Apple.
Free Pick: Really gotta like the Under in this one. Defense has been the name of the game for the Knicks, of late, as they have allowed just 86 ppg in the 8 games since Woodson took over and just 83.5 ppg in their last 5 games. Now the Knicks have also gotten away from that transition up and down game and they come in averaging averaging just 87.8 ppg in their last 4 games and having Stoudamire and Lin out won't help this team offensively. That was evident on Monday as gthey took on a Milwaukee team that has been allowing a ton of points of late and they were able to score just 89 points on them without Lin or Amare in there. Also facing the 4th ranked defense of Orlando (91.9 ppg) won't help this offense get going either. The Magic did put up 117 points on the Raptors the other night, but this is still a team that has averaged just 92.6 ppg on the road and 90.6 ppg in their last 5 games overall. Both teams are defensive minded and both offenses are not that good at the moment. This game could land in the 170's.
Free Picks: Magic at Knicks Betting
http://PregameVideos.com - Rejuvanated and more intense Knick team and Magic have lapse in focus during games plus other factors NBA bettors need to know about Magic at Knicks (Wednesday, March 28, 2012) from Pregame.com - Including predictions from Scott Spreitzer and analysis from host Marco D'Angelo.