Magic vs Knicks Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Battle-Worn Brunson Can't Keep Up

It’s a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee from the Garden, as the New York Knicks host the Orlando Magic.

Both teams enter in the Eastern Conference play-in scenario, with the seventh-place Knicks a 7-point favorite over the eighth-seeded Magic in the NBA odds. Orlando has just two wins in its last eight and has dropped three straight while New York has reeled off wins in six of their last seven.

Read below for my Magic vs. Knicks breakdown, complete with free NBA picks for Monday, January 15.

Magic vs Knicks odds

Magic vs Knicks predictions

The big question mark for this game is the status of New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who’s questionable with a calf bruise. He was out of the lineup last game, as the Knicks won ugly, 106-94 over the Grizzlies — a Memphis team missing Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Steven Adams.

A team that usually puts up better than 115 points per contest was missing some offensive pop, as Brunson leads the team in scoring at 25.8 points per game on 46.9% shooting and 42.4% from distance. Assuming he is a go against the Orlando Magic, he has a scoring line between 26.5 and 27.5 points, depending on the book. Before his injury, that’s a number that Brunson had crossed in four of five games, cracking the 30-point plateau in each of those Overs.

His only off night was a January 9 meeting with the Blazers, where he potted just 12 points in a 28-point blowout win.

This shouldn’t be such a scenario against Orlando, who have won two straight against the Knicks, including a 117-108 win on Dec 29. Brunson struggled in that one, shooting just 4-for-15 from the field with 20 total points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.

In three games against Orlando since joining the Knicks, Brunson has yet to score 27 points. Last season, he went for 25 points and five dimes in a close 102-98 win. Before that, he went for 21 points and six dimes in a 115-102 win.

Perhaps it’s the defense Orlando brings to the table. New York should know, as it's tied with the Magic, allowing 111.6 points per game, the seventh-fewest in the NBA.

The fact that he’s still listed as a game-time decision means the calf isn’t close to 100%. If he does gut it out, history shows this is a high total for what Brunson has done against the Magic and the lingering injury won't help matters.

My best bet: Jalen Brunson Under 27.5 points (-125 at BetMGM)

Magic vs Knicks same-game parlay

Jalen Brunson Under 26.5 points

Jalen Brunson Under 2.5 made threes

Paolo Banchero Over 7.5 rebounds

+1,400 at DraftKings

While he popped Dallas for 30 points, Brunson finished 2-for-6 from downtown. That was after a dismal 1-for-7 effort against the Trail Blazers. In his Knicks career, Brunson has hit three or more 3-pointers once in three games vs. Orlando and he missed all four moneyball attempts in the most recent matchup. Orlando ranks inside the top 10 in 3-point defense, and I think they limit Brunson once more.

Let’s finish with Paolo Banchero, who will battle on the glass with a sturdy Knicks team that ranks fifth in rebounding with 45.9 per game.

Perhaps the books haven’t been paying close enough attention because the 7.5-rebound line they set is more in line with his season average of 7.2 boards, than his recent body of work. Banchero has had at least eight rebounds in eight of his last 10 games, including his last game against OKC, where he grabbed nine boards, to go along with 20 points and eight dimes.

That streak also includes the Knicks, where he went for 29 points, 10 boards, and four assists. If he can continue to work the glass, that’s an SGP that pays out at +1,400.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Magic vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis

The Magic had been as short as 5.5-point underdogs but that number has jumped, with New York as long as 7.5-point favorites.

Orlando is among the best cover teams in basketball, going 25-14-0 ATS, trailing only the Thunder and 76ers. The Knicks are just 19-20-0 ATS on the year.

The lowest total score between these teams is 221.5 and has topped out at the books at 222.5.

Both teams hover around .500 when it comes to Over/Under. The Over has gone 18-21-0 in Magic games while going 19-20-0 in New York tilts.

Magic vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Knicks have won seven of their last eight at MSG. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Knicks.

Magic vs Knicks game info

Magic vs Knicks latest injuries

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