THE STORY: The New York Knicks will look to put an end to a pair of six-game skids when the streaking Orlando Magic pay a visit to Madison Square Garden on Monday night. New York has stumbled to six consecutive defeats, including back-to-back losses to Milwaukee and Charlotte over the weekend, but still appear to be a cinch to make the postseason in the lightweight Eastern Conference. The Magic have beaten the Knicks six straight times, including a 111-99 victory in New York on Wednesday, but injury-riddled Orlando could be down to nine players for Monday’s game.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG, Sunshine
Gilbert Arenas.ABOUT THE KNICKS (35-38): The blockbuster trade that brought Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to New York has yielded a 7-12 record, including nine losses in the last 10 games. Watching Denver go 12-4 since the deal hasn’t help eased the panic in Gotham. Despite the recent collapse, the Knicks remain 3½ games ahead of eighth-place Indiana and two behind No. 6 Philadelphia. Center Amar’e Stoudemire had a season-low 13 points in last week’s loss to Orlando and scored only 14 in Saturday’s 114-106 defeat at Charlotte. Anthony scored 36 against the Bobcats, his highest output since coming to New York.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (47-26): Despite having all but locked up the No. 4 seed in the East, Orlando has rattled off five consecutive victories. The Magic are coming off a 95-85 win over New Jersey on Friday night, but it came with a price. Point guard Jameer Nelson suffered a sprained knee and is doubtful for Monday’s game, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. Reserves J.J. Redick and Quentin Richardson have been ruled out of the game. Expect a heavy dose of Dwight Howard, who is averaging 29 points and 15 rebounds in three games against the Knicks this season.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Stoudemire is averaging 25.6 points, but he’s been held to 16 or fewer three times in the last four games. He’s shooting 39 percent (38 of 96) in his last five, well below his season mark of 50.3. …Magic guard Gilbert Arenas could start because of the injury to Nelson. Maybe it will jump-start his game - Arenas has scored 21 points on 8-of-37 shooting in his last five games.
KEY STATISTIC: Howard notched his 60th double-double of the season Friday night. That should be no surprise to New York, which has been victimized by Howard double-doubles in eight straight games.
SEASON SERIES: The Magic have won all three meetings, including 112-103 on Dec. 30 and 116-110 on March 1.
KEY INJURIES: MAGIC: G Jameer Nelson (knee); G J.J. Redick (abdominal); G Quentin Richardson (back). NEW YORK: C Ronny Turiaf (ankle).
LAST WORD: Monday’s game was originally scheduled for Nov. 2, but was postponed when debris fell into the Garden’s arena during the cleaning of asbestos-related materials in the attic above the ceiling.
TRENDS:
Orlando is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games as a favorite and 1-6 ATS in its last seven games following a straight up win.
The Knicks are 0-8 ATS in their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents and 0-6 ATS overall in their last six games.
New York is, however 24-10-2 in its last 36 games as an underdog.
The under is 17-6 in the Magic's last 23 games and 7-3 in the Knicks' last 10 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
(Source http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=228340)
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