New York Knicks: Keys to defeating the Orlando Magic on Dec. 3

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BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 24: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on November 24, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defense: Defending The Three-Point Line

The New York Knicks have a devastating tendency to allow the opposition to to attempt wide open shots from beyond the arc. The Knicks generally lock in during the second half of games, but often struggle to close out during the first half.

Against the Orlando Magic, the Knicks must avoid committing the same mistake that hurt it the first time around and prevent the three-ball from falling with consistency.

Long without the necessary shooting to be an effective offensive team, the Magic have evolved. Frank Vogel’s crew currently ranks No. 6 in the NBA in three-point field goals made per game at 11.7 on 38.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

That projects to pose issues for the Knicks, as Jeff Hornacek’s team ranks dead last in the Association in three-point field goals allowed per game.

The last time New York and Orlando played, the Magic buried 13 three-point field goals on 28 attempts—good for 46.4 percent. That number was par for the course in 2017-18, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept.

New York needs to improve its three-point defense overall, and that will rarely prove more true than during the clash with the Magic on Sunday.

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