Game Preview: New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic

A revamped New York Knicks club faces an Orlando Magic team without the assistance of former star, Dwight Howard. The Knicks are the favorites, good or bad? Looking at this Magic club also battered with injuries, similar to this Knicks team, you see familiar faces from last year. Most notably Jameer Nelson, the Knicks will have their hands filled with him. Still containing the crafty point guard should not be difficult for the Knicks, with Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd in the lineup. The two guards have performed with vigor in the backcourt for the Knicks, despite injuries and the departure of some other point guard in the offseason. J.J. Redick is the other face reminiscent of the Dwight Howard era in Orlando. The sharp shooting two-guard, is averaging 54% from the field and 52% from behind the arc. Redick plays similar to Knicks forward, Steve Novak, an excellent knock down shooter. It is up to the Knicks to run Redick off the line and force him to make difficult shots with a hand in his face. Glen “Big Baby” Davis anchors this Magic team into the future. The 6’9” forward/center is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Carmelo Anthony may bang bodies with Davis in the first half, but it will be interesting to see if Knicks coach, Mike Woodson, alters the lineup for match-up purposes. Defense is going to win the game for this Knicks club and it doesn’t hurt to have the offense running on all cylinders. This Magic club is too young and battered to compete with this Knicks team on both ends of the floor. Especially with Melo playing MVP basketball, and the defense holding teams to a mere 87.5 ppg. This could be a huge scoring performance by Melo, who won’t be bothered by the Magic big men. Tyson Chandler won’t have much work to do with an inexperienced Magic frontcourt. Felton and Chandler may connect on several alley-oop opportunities over the course of the contest. I fully expect Ronnie Brewer to continue shooting above 45% from the field. J.R. Smith has been lights out emerging from the bench, averaging all-star numbers. I do think it is vital the Knicks get Novak and Rasheed Wallace a couple of more touches on the offensive end. The Knicks face the Magic tonight but the San Antonio Spurs are right around the proverbial corner. Woodson will need all of his Knicks players playing at their full potential for the next couple of nights. The Magic have a nice young core but it won’t be a match for the veteran team assembled by the New York Knicks. Prediction: Magic – 88, Knicks – 103 Follow Me On Twitter