![The Knicks look for their 11th win at home when they take on the Magic on Sunday. - [Image Source: Flickr | Michael Tipton]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/12/2/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-knicks-look-for-their-11th-win-at-home-when-they-take-on-the-magic-on-sunday-image-source-flickr-michael-tipton_1716575.jpg "The Knicks look for their 11th win at home when they take on the Magic on Sunday. - [Image Source: Flickr | Michael Tipton]")
The Orlando Magic (9-14) head to Madison Square Garden for a Sunday afternoon (Dec. 3) meeting with the New York Knicks (11-10).
The Magic had lost nine straight games before defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. They were unable to win their second straight on Friday though as they were easily handled by the Golden State Warriors, 133-112. Orlando allowed Golden State to shoot 62.5 percent from the field and dish out an incredible 46 assists. The Magic were led by Aaron Gordon’s 29 points while Evan Fournier chipped in with 22.
The Knicks have been off since Wednesday (Nov.
29) when they won by the score of 115-86 over the Miami Heat. That ended a three-game losing streak for New York. The Knicks shot 60.3 percent from the field while holding Miami to just 38.1 percent. Enes Kanter scored 22 while grabbing 14 rebounds, and Courtney Lee had 17 points.
Starting lineups (projected)
Magic: PG - Elfrid Payton, SG - Jonathon Simmons, SF - Evan Fournier, PF - Aaron Gordon, C - Nikola Vucevic
Knicks: PG - Jarrett Jack, SG - Tim Hardaway Jr., SF - Courtney Lee, PF - Kristaps Porzingis (Michael Beasley if Porzingis is unable to play), C - Enes Kanter
Statistical leaders
Magic: Scoring - Aaron Gordon 19.0, Rebounding - Nikola Vucevic 8.3, Assists - Elfrid Payton 6.9
Knicks: Scoring - Kristaps Porzingis 25.8, Rebounding - Enes Kanter 10.4, Assists - Jarrett Jack 5.9
Injury report
Magic: Out - Terrence Rose (knee), Jonathan Isaac (ankle)
Knicks: Questionable - Frank Ntilikina (ankle), Kristaps Porzingis (ankle)
What to know and watch for
Expect the Magic to put up a lot of three-pointers.
Through Friday’s games (Dec. 1), they rank third in the NBA in makes per game from deep (11.7) and fifth in three-point percentage (38.5). Meanwhile, New York has allowed the second-most threes per game (12.5).
The Magic come into Madison Square Garden losers of their last seven road games. In five of those games, they have lost by double-digits.
The Knicks have played well at home (much like Orlando have experienced their troubles in away games) and are 10-4 in their building.
Evan Fournier continued his strong play against New York as he scored 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting with five assists and five steals in Orlando’s win over the Knicks on November 8. In his three outings against New York last season, the 25-year-old averaged 22.7 points on 53.1 percent shooting from the field.
Regular season history between Magic and Knicks
The Magic and Knicks have met 107 times in the regular season with Orlando holding a minuscule 54-53 advantage in the win column.
The two teams split their four head-to-head games last season, but Orlando prevailed in their one matchup this season. On November 8, the Magic beat the Knicks by a 112-99 margin. New York was without Kristaps Porzingis in that game, and it is unclear if he will be available on Sunday after leaving their last game with an ankle injury.
