NBA Preview: The New York Knicks are off to a surprisingly good start thanks to the scorching hot start of their new leader Kristaps Porzingis.
New York Knicks (6-4) at Orlando Magic (6-4), Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. EST
Line: Magic -5. Total: 214.
The Knicks are clearly one of the big surprises early in the season. After starting the regular season 0-3, New York has won six of their last seven games to raise their record to 6-4. Kristaps Porzingis continues to set team records with every passing game.
Porzingis scored 28 points Tuesday night, including hitting a clutch 3-pointer with 1:49 left in the fourth quarter to give New York a 114-111 lead. The Knicks would not relinquish that lead as they hung on to beat the Charlotte Hornets 118-113.
Porzingis has scored at least 30 points in seven of their 10 games. He continues to stay ahead of legendary Knicks forward Bernard King for most points scored to start the season. Porzingis has 300 points through 10 games, which is still ahead of King, who had 298 points through 10 games in 1984-85. He also leads Patrick Ewing, who had 285 points through 10 games in 1989-90.
Orlando started the season 4-1 and then 6-2, before losing their last two games badly at home. The Magic lost to the Chicago Bulls 105-83 on November 3 and then were throttled by the Celtics 104-88 two days later. However, the Magic will have two days rest for New York, who will be on the back-end of a back-to-back on Wednesday.
The Knicks are coming off a second consecutive emotional win where they were down by double-digits entering the fourth quarter. Madison Square Garden was rocking both nights. New York will be arriving late into Orlando coming off another emotional comeback win. The Magic will be rested and waiting.
As far as the Vegas game total goes, the Knicks have gone over 4 of their last 5 games, while Orlando has gone under 4 straight and 5 out of their last 6 games. The Knicks are a middle of the road squad in all of the offensive and defensive categories. However, the Magic rank #5 in pace and #8 in points per game.
Injury report
Knicks: Joakim Noah is still serving his 20-game suspension and is out. Magic: Elfrid Payton is questionable with a hamstring injury. D.J. Augustin is out with a hamstring injury.
NBA Fantasy Information
New York: Kyle O’Quinn ranks #2 for Center on FanDuel with a $59.81 price per fantasy point for his last three games. Enes Kanter ranks #4 at Center with a price of $53.66 per fantasy point over his last three games. Porzingis also ranks #4 at PF with a price of $55.44 per fantasy point over his last three games. Ramon Sessions has a value of $51.52 at PG to round out the value plays for NY.
Orlando: With Payton and Augustin out with hamstring issues, Shelvin Mack is the only legitimate point guard on the roster. Mack is dirt cheap at $3600, and is the PG with the most value on Wednesday at $55.09 per fantasy point over his last three games. I mentioned Sessions for New York being second at $51.52 per fantasy point, while Mike James of Phoenix is ranked third highest at PG at $49.37 per fantasy point in his last three games.
Selection:
Orlando Magic -5, laying $110 to win $100 – As I mentioned, I like the Magic to bounce back off consecutive double-digit losses to catch the Knicks in a let-down spot after an emotional win last night at MSG against Charlotte. New York is on the back-end of a back-to-back, while Orlando has two days rest for this game.
Good Luck.
Record:
16-9 (regular season), +$610.
Sides: 8-5
Totals: 7-1
2H: 0-3
1Q: 1-0
#1 Sides: 14-8
#1 Totals: 16-6
Note: I will add rankings for all my picks Wednesday afternoon.
Edit, 6:45 p.m. EST:
Sides: (1) Orl, (2) Min, (3) LAL, (4) Mia, (5) Det
Totals: (1) Min un, (2) Orl un, (3) Det ov, (4) LAL ov, (5) Mia un.
Note: I may have a play on the late game because there is an interesting tidbit with Kevin Durant being out. Durant missed 20 games last year for Golden State and the Warriors were 15-5 to the under in those 20 games. Golden State went under 14 of the first 15 of those games, before going over 4 out of the last 5, and two of those games went over by 2 points or less.
Edit, 8:25 p.m. EST:
Minnesota/ Golden State under 226.5, laying $110 to win $100 – Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau is a defensive coach, although the Timberwolves are failing miserably in their defensive rankings across the board. However, Minnesota has gone under three straight games. I already mentioned the Warriors going under in 15 of the 20 games Durant missed last season, so I cannot help but take this game under.
Good Luck.
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