Knicks vs. Magic: How to bet on the spread, total and moneyline for Friday night at MSG

The New York Knicks (36-26, 2nd in Atlantic) continue their four-game homestand as they play the Orlando Magic (37-26, 1st in Southeast) on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

Since winning nine straight games from Jan. 17 to Feb. 1, the injury-riddled Knicks have been in free-fall mode.

Down multiple starters − including most recently to All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson − the Knicks have dropped nine of their last 13 games and sit only one game ahead of the Sixers, who are currently in the top-spot for next month's NBA Play-In Tournament.

Meanwhile, things could not be looking better for the Magic. Currently on a five-game winning streak, Orlando has already guaranteed to have its best record since the organization went 52-30 during the 2010-11 season.

The Magic have won all three meetings against Knicks this season, including the most recent matchup on Valentine's Day when Orlando won, 118-100.

Can the shorthanded Knicks get back in the win column, or will the Magic continue their impressive season and sweep New York?

Here's my betting breakdown on the spread, total and moneyline for Friday night:

NY Knicks vs. Magic spread: Knicks -1.5 (-110), Magic +1.5 (-110)

This line opens with the Knicks as two-point home favorites, which in my opinion, is something to question.

The Knicks, who have been great overall against the spread (ATS) this season, have struggled to cover since they've been shorthanded.

New York is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games and has failed to cover in seven straight at MSG.

On the other hand, the Magic are the best team against the spread (42-21) in the NBA this season, having covered in each of the five games during this winning streak and in seven of their last 10 overall.

Orlando has also covered in five of the last seven meetings.

While this number likely means Brunson is playing, how effective will he be? Will Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau play him his normal amount, or will he see his minutes reduced in his first action since leaving their matchup against the Cavaliers on Sunday night?

Even if Brunson suits up, I think it may take him a game or two to get back to his normal 30-point-per-game pace he's been playing at so I'm betting on the Magic to cover this small number on the road.

Both PointsBet and FanDuel Sportsbook have Orlando as a 1.5-point underdog with a price of -110 (Bet $110 to win $100) tonight.

Prediction: Magic +1.5 (-110)

NY Knicks vs. Magic total: Over 208.5 points (-110), Under 208.5 points (-110)

One thing you need to know is that NBA games since the All-Star Break ended have been hitting the under at a high clip.

As of Tuesday night, unders are 64-28-1 since the regular season resumed, cashing at nearly a 70 percent clip.

That will be no different in the Big Apple on Friday night.

The Knicks have the fourth-best record to the under (24-38) this season and have gone below this total in three of their last four games.

Even though the Magic rank in the middle of the pack, their third-ranked scoring defense has held opponents to under 100 points in four of their prior six contests.

This matchup has seen this total go under this number in four games since October 2021 and I think we're in store for yet another low-scoring outcome at MSG on Friday.

Bet the under 208.5 points now at -110 on FanDuel Sportsbook as this line has already moved from when it opened at 210 points Thursday afternoon.

Prediction: Under 208.5 points (-110)

NY Knicks vs. Magic moneyline: Knicks (-120), Magic (+102)

The oddsmakers have this line basically as a toss up with the Magic almost at even money (+100) being the underdog.

If my explanation above wasn't enough, I believe both the spread and the moneyline could shift drastically if Brunson doesn't play.

There's no denying New York is in dire need of a win to avoid the play-in, and Orlando is battling with the Miami Heat to win its first division title since 2018-19.

Even if Brunson plays, I feel like we could see an off-performance from one of the NBA's best players this season as he gets back up to game speed.

I'd wager on the Magic now while they're still at plus money as I believe they'll complete the four-game season sweep of the Knicks by going into MSG and getting a victory in what will be a low-scoring game.

FanDuel Sportsbook once again has the best odds here as the Magic are at +102 (Bet $100 to net $102) on the moneyline for Friday night's game.