Knicks vs. Magic prediction and odds for Wednesday, July 12

It hasn’t been a great summer for the Orlando Magic or the New York Knicks. Both teams are 0-2 in Vegas, but somebody will finally get into the win column tonight. New York did not have a draft pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but the Magic will continue to showcase No. 6 overall, Anthony Black and No. 11 overall, Jett Howard.

Though Orlando and their two first-rounders haven’t won yet, they are favored against New York tonight. Here are those odds:

Knicks vs. Magic odds, spread and total

Spread

Knicks +1.5 (-110)
Magic -1.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Knicks +100
Magic -120

Total

180 (Over -110 / Under -110)

Knicks vs. Magic prediction and pick

The Orlando Magic have the same problem from the regular season: they can’t shoot.

Against the Pistons they shot 34% from three which isn’t bad and they had a nice 4-10 from Caleb Houston from three. However, against the Pacers 6-32 which is 18.8% and Houston went 1-5 while Elijah Hughes went 1-7. Jett Howard was drafted to give them some outside shot-making, but he is 4-12.

The Magic don’t have a ton of spacing on the floor and they’re playing small ball at all times. Their starting center has been D.J. Wilson who is a 6-foot-10 stretch four. The Pistons and Pacers both dominated them on the boards. Orlando ends up with fewer possessions than their opponents and doesn’t have the shooters to make up for it.

New York has outrebounded their opponents in both of their games so far. They’ll have an easy time doing that against undersized Orlando in this one. I’m going to take New York because of the extra possessions that they will get. That should be enough to give them an advantage.

Pick: Knicks +100

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change