Pregame Report from AdventHealth Training Center
ORLANDO – For a young squad looking to make a push for the play-in tournament, defending homecourt is a top priority.
The Orlando Magic have excelled within the friendly confines of Amway Center of late, winning nine of their last 13 home games.
Back in Orlando after a successful four-game road trip, where they claimed three victories, the Magic will look to keep cooking at home when they host the New York Knicks on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
“We make it a big emphasis to hold down homecourt,” said Magic shooting guard Gary Harris. “We’re working to be a playoff team. To be able to win at home and create that homecourt advantage is huge. So, just trying to stay locked in and continue to pick up as many wins as possible.”
As a unit, the Knicks stay true to their principles. Offensively, New York is No. 1 in the NBA in second chance points. Defensively, the Knicks protect the interior at an elite level, allowing the fewest paint points in the league at 44.6 per game.
“That’s who they are,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “Coach (Tom) Thibodeau obviously preaches defense. Understanding that they pack that paint in. Offensively, they just do an incredible job of crashing the glass. So, we’ve got our hands full.”
New York’s offensive attack is led by Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson.
Randle, who was recently named to his second NBA All-Star team, is one of just four players in the league – along with Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic – averaging at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
Brunson has made an enormous impact since signing with the Knicks this offseason. Since the start of the new calendar year, the 6-foot-2 guard is averaging an impressive 29.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 49.2 percent from the floor and 46.5 percent from 3-point range.
“Knowing him from high school, he’s just a special young man,” said Mosley of Brunson. “He just speaks about what winning is. He’s willing to do all the little things (and) do it the right way. He’s a great teammate. He’s playing at an All-Star level. What he’s done for that team is bring a level of poise (and) a level of encouragement to all of the teammates around him.”
IN AND OUT: For the first time this season, the Magic don’t have any players with an injury designation. Mo Bamba will miss his second straight contest while serving a four-game suspension and Chuma Okeke is on an assignment in Lakeland as he comes back from left knee surgery.
For New York, RJ Barrett (illness) is questionable, while DaQuan Jefferies (G League – Two-Way), Trevor Keels (G League – Two-Way), and Mitchell Robinson (right thumb surgery) are out.
KEY STAT: Since Dec. 7, Orlando ranks fourth in opponent points in the paint, seventh in opponent fast break points, and seventh in opponent second-chance points. Before that date, they were 21st, 26th, and 14th, respectively, in those areas. Dive deeper into the Magic turnaround since that date here.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We love that. We love every bit of that. He takes pride in that. If he continues to play at the rate he is, he will be an all first team defensive player. Because of his tenacity and because of his football background, he likes to hit people. He’s now learning how to navigate when and where to hit along with using active hands to defend without fouling.” – Mosley on Jalen Suggs’ defensive tenacity
HOW TO WATCH: Watch the game on Bally Sports Florida or tune in on radio via FM 96.9 The Game.