New York Knicks: Keys To Defeating The Orlando Magic

3. Dictate Evan Fournier’s Scoring Pace

The Orlando Magic have a dynamic young point guard in Elfrid Payton and a borderline star at center in Nikola Vucevic. Both are capable of creating offense, although their respective moves to the second unit have complicated their playing time.

Though there are playmakers to be found throughout the Magic’s rotation, defending Orlando’s offense comes down to containing Evan Fournier.

Orlando has won three of its past four games when Fournier scores at least 20 points. Its overall record is underwhelming when he scores 20, but the Magic are a better team when he’s able to get it going offensively.

Containing Fournier will come down to more than limiting him to lower scoring totals; it’ll be a matter of controlling his scoring pace.

Orlando is currently 5-8 when Fournier attempts at least 15 shots and 8-9 when he takes less than 15. There’s nothing inherently wrong with Fournier shooting often, but the Magic are less of a threat when they go ISO—no matter who has the ball.

If the Knicks make Fournier score by necessity, then they’ll have done a solid job on the defensive end of the floor.