Orlando @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 22, 2018 ) New York 120, Orlando 113

A pair of teams playing out the string and suffering through three-game losing streaks meet Tuesday when the New York Knicks host the Orlando Magic. The Knicks dropped the opener of a five-game homestand with a 115-109 loss to Detroit on Saturday to fall to 18-19 at Madison Square Garden.

It gave the franchise four straight 50-loss campaigns in a row, tying its longest such run. "Not good. I'm a bad loser. Sore (loser)," forward Michael Beasley told reporters after scoring 32 points in the setback. "But at the same time, you have to be able to accept the situation." New York enters this one with a plethora of personnel issues, as Troy Williams is out for the season due to a fractured jaw suffered against the Pistons, center Enes Kanter (back, wrist) is doubtful, Beasley (illness) is questionable and three others are playing in the G League playoffs. The Magic head to Manhattan a half-game ahead of last-place Atlanta for the worst record in the Eastern Conference after losing to the Hawks 94-88 on Sunday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (22-54): Orlando has averaged 85 points the past two games and it shot 34.4 percent from the floor in the loss to Atlanta. D.J. Augustin collected 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting while his fellow starters were a combined 14-of-49 from the floor as the Magic fell to 7-31 on the road. "We have to get out in transition," forward Aaron Gordon told reporters of the offensive woes. "It kills 75 percent of our offense if we don't get out in transition. ... It seemed a little out of rhythm out there."

ABOUT THE KNICKS (27-50): New York allowed an average of 116.7 points in regulation during the current losing streak as it continues its season-long issues on the defensive end. "The defensive intensity, I thought, dropped right there," coach Jeff Hornacek said Saturday of a spell that allowed Detroit to seize the lead for good in the third quarter. "They made a couple shots, but then it was making adjustments when the guys were coming in when they shouldn't. That happened a couple times late in the game. They had good intentions to help but that was probably not the right time to help and they got a couple kick-out threes." Guards Frank Ntilikina (illness) and Courtney Lee (foot) both missed the contest but are probable to return Tuesday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Magic SF Jonathon Simmons (wrist) will miss his seventh straight game.

2. Knicks PG Trey Burke averages 24.3 points and nine assists as a starter.

3. Orlando leads the all-time series 55-54.

PREDICTION: Knicks 108, Magic 99