Knicks Must Overcome Homecourt Advantage vs. Magic

ORLANDO, Fla. — If the New York Knicks want to beat the Orlando Magic on Sunday night, they must do something no team has done this season.

The Magic are 17-10 on the young season, but they are 10-0 in front of their home fans at the Kia Center. They are the only team in the NBA that has yet to lose at home this season.

Orlando's 10 home games is the fewest of any team in the NBA, but the Magic have done a very good job protecting home court.

The last time the Magic lost at the Kia Center was back on Mar. 30 when they lost to James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers. Since then, they have pulled off wins in every game since, including three playoff games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the league's best record this season.

Orlando has often been seen as a fair-weather city filled with snowbirds and transplants from other cities. However, the Magic's true fans have shown up to build a playoff-like atmosphere for their hometown-built team every game, and the team feeds off that energy.

However, the Knicks have an advantage going into this game. Not only do Knicks fans travel well, especially in Florida, but this game was scheduled as a result of both teams losing their respective NBA Cup quarterfinal. The Knicks fell to the Atlanta Hawks at home while the Magic couldn't pull out a win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Therefore, tickets for this game have only been available since Thursday, which likely means the arena won't be as full as it normally would be for a Knicks vs. Magic matchup.

If the Knicks can take advantage, they can do what no team has done in nearly nine months and beat the Magic inside the Kia Center.