New York Knicks: Keys To Defeating The Orlando Magic

5. Respect The 3-Point Shot

Against a team that shoots as inconsistently as the Orlando Magic, it’s easy to surmise that the 3-point shot won’t be an issue. There are two legitimate sharpshooters, a third borderline marksman, and a fourth efficient shooter, however, which is far too much talent to overlook.

The New York Knicks have suffered from lazy closeouts and poor overall showings, which is why defending the 3-point shot must still be referenced as a point of emphasis.

Orlando is No. 23 in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage and No. 17 in 3-point field goals made per game. Though those numbers imply that Orlando is incapable of getting hot, that’s far from the case.

Evan Fournier and Jordie Meeks are knockdown 3-point shooters, and both Serge Ibaka and D.J. Augustin are efficient and productive from distance.

New York has done a solid job of defending the 3-point line from a statistical perspective, but the issues continue to present themselves. More times than not, the Knicks are defending poorly during the first quarter and allow an early barrage to set the tone for the opposition.

The Magic may not be a traditional powerhouse from beyond the 3-point line, but they’re more than capable of hurting the Knicks.