Surprisingly, the Knicks haven't played an opponent with a winning record in the Eastern Conference since October.
Until Tuesday.
The Orlando Magic (15-7), who are on a six-game winning streak, faced MSG in a matchup that was both an NBA Cup elimination game and a test of the Knicks' standing in the conference.
Interestingly, the Magic are without their best player, Paolo Banchero, who has missed 17 consecutive games with an oblique strain. His absence freed up Franz Wagner, a young German who averaged 23.4 points and is aiming for an All-Star spot.
Josh Hart outlined an advantage for the Knicks (12-8), and unsurprisingly, it was outside shooting, which has been their strength all season.
“[Orlando’s] A very physical team. They’re a team that falls apart in the paint,” Hart said. “So if you get in the paint and spray and find five guys, you’ll have an open shot.
“That's… [Jalen Brunson] Who is hitting the best shots? [Mikal Bridges] OG finished the best match of the year [Anunoby] Shooting with a high probability, [Karl-Anthony Towns] clearly. So you get to get in the lane and look at some of the best players on the team and see how they protect the paint. You should be able to get in there and spray. It should be a game where he will provide a big assist for us. For us, it's a big game of drive and kick. ”
New York's offense ranks first in points per possession heading into Monday, a number backed up by its 39.3 percent shooting percentage on treys (second only to the Cavs).
Magic is the opposite. They entered Monday with the worst 3-point percentage in the NBA at 31.7, ranking 22nd in offense and third in defense.
The Knicks ranked 22nd in defense.
It's a clash of styles.
“They play great defense,” Thibodeau said.
If the Knicks defeat the Magic, they will host an NBA Cup quarterfinal game on Dec. 11, NBA officials confirmed.
If the Knicks lose, they will be eliminated and will face an undetermined opponent on next week's schedule. New York is 3-0 in the group, but their goal differential is worse than the Celtics, who finished second in Group C, so they have no chance of earning a wild-card spot.
There's less at stake for the Magic. They will win the group if they beat the Knicks, but they will probably earn a wild card spot even if they lose.
Brunson was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 26.8 points and 9.8 assists in four games.
The Knicks now have 3 wins and 1 loss. Towns was also nominated for the same award.
Thibodeau said Precious Achiuwa will remain sidelined until Tuesday, but will likely return sometime this week.
Achiuwa (hamstring strain), who has missed 21 consecutive games, practiced Monday.
“He's going to make more contact now,” the coach said. “He's getting close. Probably next week.”
