4. Put Them Away
With all due respect to the resilient team Frank Vogel is building, the Orlando Magic do nothing especially well. They aren’t a great rebounding team, defensive team, offensive team, or shooting team—yet Orlando is a respectable 13-17.
What makes Orlando so average statistically is the fact that they either lose ugly or win in a way that paints them in the light of a postseason-caliber team.
Orlando could either come out hot or cold, but the New York Knicks can’t afford to wait and see. Coasting through this game isn’t an option, nor is assuming that a relatively comfortable lead will be safe.
New York needs to play up to its potential on both ends of the floor for a full four quarters if it’s going to win this game.
During losses, Orlando is scoring 90.5 points per game and allowing 104.6. Those numbers change immensely during wins, with the Magic scoring 107.9 points per game and allowing 100.5—like night and day.
Considering Orlando is just four games below .500 after 30 outings, either version of this team could show up on Thursday—something the Knicks must be prepared for.