NBA Predictions: Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks

Orlando Magic at New York Knicks
Monday, 1/16/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: MSG
Opening Point Spread: N/A
Current Betting Line: N/A
Opening Total: N/A
Current Total: N/A
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Orlando Magic C Dwight Howard has been living on the free-throw line

Orlando will look to finish off a perfect four-game road trip when taking on the New York Knicks inside Madison Square Garden, as the team has scored at least 104 points in the previous three games. The Magic are led by the play of star center Dwight Howard, who is seeking his sixth All-Star berth and leads all NBA players in voting. He just shot an NBA-record 39 free throws in the team’s 117-109 win over the Warriors last time out. Orlando is 4-1 ATS on the road.

The Magic are 46-39 all-time against the Knicks, including a 20-22 mark on the road. Orlando has won 13 of the last 16 overall meetings, while proving victorious in 12 of the last 18 games inside Madison Square Garden. Winning on the road is something this franchise has done well over the years, posting a 106-64 mark away from the Amway Center over the last four-plus years under the direction of head coach Stan Van Gundy.

New York returns home after an 0-2 road trip and failed to cover the spread in each contest. The Knicks have been playing some defense recently, with the ‘under’ cashing in their last six games. Star forward Carmelo Anthony will likely sit out a second-straight game with an ankle injury, which could be a problem for a squad that is among the worst in the league in shooting just 41.7 percent from the field. Power forward Amare Stoudemire will need to step up his game, as he’s tallied a 1-3 mark against Orlando during his time in the Big Apple, after posting an impressive 11-1 record during his time in Phoenix. New York is 3-11 ATS in its last 14 games.

The Knicks lost three of four meetings with the Magic a year ago, but may be able to turn things around on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. New York is 18-7 overall when playing on the holiday, including an 18-6 mark at home. Anthony’s production will be missed greatly if he is out of the lineup, averaging 29.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists versus the Magic during the 2010-11 campaign.