Knicks Back in Action vs. Magic: 5 Questions Ahead of Matchup

The Orlando Magic needs a win tonight against the playoff-bound New York Knicks.

Author:
Geoff Magliocchetti and Jeremy Brener
Publish date:
Mar 23, 2023 2:50 PM EDT

In this story:

Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic (30-43) hosts the New York Knicks (42-31) tonight in a must-win game for the home team in order to keep its incredibly slim play-in hopes alive.

To learn more about the current state of affairs with tonight's opponent, we spoke with All Knicks contributor Geoff Magliocchetti.

Q: The Knicks have the fourth-best record in the league since the All-Star Break, winning nine of 13 games. What's been the biggest reason behind the recent success?

The most noticeable difference has been the obvious roster addition of Josh Hart, a Portland starter-turned-sparkplug in relief. With Hart in tow, the Knicks have found a closer in their depth, one capable of playing minutes and locking up close victories (all but five Knick games in the post-All-Star slate have been decided by 10 points or less). Hart's most noticeable contributions have come in the rebounding department, where he's averaging 6.8 a game in just over 30 minutes off the bench. Modern metropolitan proceedings have also flourished thanks to the relative resurrection of RJ Barrett. While the fourth-year Knick has struggled in the wake of earning a nine-figure contract extension, he has found a bit of a groove in the final stages of the regular season, averaging 21.5 points in 11 contests this month.

Q: Is this Knicks team a title contender? If not, how far can New York go in the playoffs?

For all the progress the Knicks have made this season, it still feels like it's a little too much to ask them to invade the Eastern Conference penthouse occupied by Milwaukee, Boston, and Philadelphia (with Cleveland knocking). Winning a playoff series, which would be their first since 2013, is a fair and reasonable goal, however, and the Knicks have at least proven themselves capable of giving the elite headaches: while they were swept by Milwaukee in three games this season, they were 5-3 against the Celtics and 76ers. Staying out of the Donovan Mitchell proceedings helped the Knicks avoid hitting fast forward on their current rebuild plan and allowed them to enter the postseason with a sense of healthy reckless abandon where they can embark upon a relatively consequence-free playoff trip. That sense of nothing to lose compared to the relative superteams laden with expectations (Milwaukee looking for a second title, Boston/Philadelphia looking to break championship barriers) makes them particularly dangerous.

3. What's one thing people should know about the Knicks without finding in a box score?

As we discussed the last time around, this Knicks team is many things, but boring could hardly be one of them. New York has played plenty of close games and they've been able to succeed in recent weeks thanks to a newfound sense of driving and not relying upon the three-ball as much. The most noticeable difference this season, far and away, has been the sense of stability and facilitation that Jalen Brunson has brought upon his arrival. While the former Dallas Maverick will undoubtedly appear on the Most Improved Player poll, New York's surge up the standing and subsequent collapse of his original employers should give him a far more Valuable case.

4. If the Knicks win tonight, what would be the reason?

If the resiliency the Knicks have displayed at multiple points this season emerges, they should emerge from this potential trap game unscathed. There have been several breaking points of calamity for the Knicks this season, and falling to the reeling, depleted, desperate Minnesota Timberwolves could be one of them, especially after following up that defensive collapse with another in South Beach on Wednesday. But the Knicks have often been able to counter those heartbreaking losses with inspiring victories: two weeks ago they counter a loss to lowly Charlotte with wins over the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Denver Nuggets. With games against reeling competition coming up (they'll have three days off before the long-eliminated Houston Rockets visit on Monday), that resiliency must show up again in games that have suddenly become must-wins if the Knicks hope to lock up one of the East's six automatic bids.

5. What's your prediction for tonight's game?

As the aura of relative desperation rises for the Knicks, expect them to handle business against a Magic group at the cusp of postseason oblivion. There will be many issues to work out before the playoffs officially begin but it shouldn't be too much to ask them to dispose of Orlando, especially if they play with the aforementioned sense of powerful recklessness that they've shown since the calendar flip to the new year. As usual, they probably won't make it easy on themselves, but they're not playing for NCAA Tournament seeding here.