New York Knicks at Orlando Magic on Tuesday, March 30 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Knicks at only 57%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Knicks 57%, with a projected score of New York Knicks 115, Orlando Magic 114. The rating gap is 150 points in favor of the Knicks, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Magic on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 43 times in 100 games like this, the Magic would win.
Recent form
The Knicks are 0-3 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -2.8. The Magic are 1-2 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -11.2.
The Magic were beaten 115-93 at home by MIN not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Knicks score 101.7 a game and allow 108. The Magic score 109.7 and allow 116.3. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 109 for the Knicks and 108.9 for the Magic, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Magic have been tough to score on, which should slow the Knicks.
Injuries to watch
Out: Jose Alvarado (NYK), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Jonathan Isaac (ORL), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Izaiyah Nelson (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026, Noah Penda (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026, and Paolo Banchero (ORL), expected back Nov 22, 2026.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Knicks lead 5-4, with the Knicks outscoring the Magic by an average of 2 points per game. The last meeting was ORL 111, NYK 102.