The upstart Orlando Magic look to get back on track as they welcome the New York Knicks at home.

Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: New York Knicks (17-13, 9-9 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • Donte DiVincenzo
  • RJ Barrett
  • Julius Randle
  • Isaiah Hartenstein

Though pretty competitive all season, the Knicks have been mostly unpredictable as of late. They are 5-5 over their last 10 games, averaging 122.8 points per game with a -1.0 net rating over that span. It has been tough to tell which team will show up.

What’s more certain, though, especially this season, is Jalen Brunson. The potential All-Star is producing 26.0 PPG on the year, and 30.7 PPG over his last seven, which included that 50-point masterpiece against the Phoenix Suns. He’s sure to be a force tomorrow, and would be in a good matchup opposite the Magic guards. The actual All-Star, Juilus Randle, is right there with him after a slow start, improving from 19.6 PPG on 38.7 FG% in his first 16 games to 26.7 PPG on 54.9 FG% over his next 14 outings, something that he should be able to carry on for tomorrow’s battle.

RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart makeup the group of secondary weapons. Barrett, however, needs to wake up as he is only at 15.3 PPG on 40.7% shooting over his last six.

HOME: Orlando Magic (18-12, 11-4 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Jalen Suggs
  • Gary Harris
  • Franz Wagner
  • Paolo Banchero
  • Wendell Carter Jr.

The young, determined, and capable Magic are aiming to be hot again. They’ve gone cold after that nine-game winning streak in late November, going just 4-7 in their last 11 games while scoring 109.4 PPG with a -4.3 net rating.

Nevertheless, Paolo Banchero (21.1 PPG) and Franz Wagner (20.6 PPG) will remain as a pair of rising studs – the latter is particularly playing well recently, scoring 26.3 PPG in his last four outings. They are in a favorable matchup against the Knick forwards.

Orlando’s second-tier is hard to predict as it’s basically a committee with Cole Anthony (14.5 PPG), Jalen Suggs (12.7 PPG, 1.7 SPG), Mo Wagner, and Wendell Carter Jr., which is both good and bad because anyone can be a boom or bust at any given day.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Magic (-1.5) win and cover.

Over/Under: The total goes over 228.

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