A pair of Eastern Conference luminaries, surprisingly still searching for their first wins, face off at Madison Square Garden tonight.
My Magic vs. Knicks prediction backs the Under instead of picking either side to cover.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with New York listed as a 7.5-point home favorite. For more angles, check out our NBA picks for Sunday, Oct. 25.
TOP PICK
Magic vs Knicks prediction: Under 224.5
Both the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks have experienced nothing but frustration to open the new season, but something has to give tonight.
Orlando flashed some offensive firepower in a season-opening 132-125 loss to the Hawks but looked completely out of sorts in a subsequent 115-93 defeat to the Timberwolves, during which Paolo Banchero suffered a high ankle sprain that is expected to keep him out for several weeks.
Banchero’s absence, combined with the Knicks’ impressive early-season defense, helps paint a relatively bleak picture for Orlando’s offensive prospects Sunday. New York has surrendered the sixth-fewest points per game (106.5) while allowing opponents to shoot 43.8% from the field.
Plus, the Knicks offense has managed just 101.5 ppg while shooting 40.8%, the second-lowest mark in the league.
COVERS INTEL: The Magic have averaged 107.2 ppg without Banchero in the lineup over the 58 regular-season contests he’s missed during his career, compared with 111.5 ppg across the 272 contests for which he’s suited up. 
Magic vs Knicks combo
With both squads misfiring at a fairly hefty clip thus far in the new season, and each also capable of playing solid defense, the next leg of the combo banks on Wendell Carter Jr., who’s off to an excellent all-around start, seeing his fair share of rebounding opportunities on both the offensive and defensive glass.
The combo closes out with a Jalen Brunson prop that backs the idea of him enjoying an overdue improvement in shooting efficiency against a Magic team that’s had trouble defending point guards over the first two games.
Magic vs Knicks combo
- Under 224.5
- Wendell Carter o7.5 rebounds
- Jalen Brunson o34.5 points + rebounds + assists
Magic vs Knicks player props
Magic player prop: Wendell Carter Jr. 8+ Rebounds
Carter is off to an excellent start this season, averaging 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block.
He’s been effective on the glass at both ends of the floor, averaging two offensive and six defensive rebounds per contest.
The Knicks have allowed just 43.8% shooting while also conceding a 71.7% defensive rebounding rate and 12.5 rebounds per contest to centers in the first two games. Carter also went for seven- and eight-rebound tallies in two of four regular-season games vs. New York a season ago.
I’d trade Carter’s 8+ rebounds up to 50%.
Knicks player prop: Jalen Brunson 35+ points+rebounds+assists
Brunson hasn't come close to hitting his stride in any facet, and he's due for some significant positive regression as a shooter after draining just 36.1% of his attempts over the first two games.
The Magic could be the cure for what ails him, as they've allowed 49.1% shooting to point guards in the first two games, along with the second-most assists per contest overall (30.5).
Brunson was outstanding in his four regular-season meetings against the Magic a season ago, averaging 45 points+rebounds+assists while shooting 51.1%.
- Top picks: 1-1, -0.08 units
- Combos: 1-1, +2.53 units
Magic vs Knicks odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Magic +7.5 | Knicks -7.5
- Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
- Moneyline: Magic 29% | Knicks 72%
For the full slate of NBA matchups, check out our NBA odds board!
Magic vs Knicks trend
Each of the Knicks’ last four games dating back to last year’s NBA Finals have gone Under, and the Under was also 26-23 in New York’s home games last regular season and postseason. Find more NBA betting trends.
How to watch Magic vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 |
| Tip off | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | WFTV-ABC, MSG |
Magic vs Knicks latest injuries
Check out our NBA injuries page for updates on every team.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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