Orlando Magic vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions for Sunday October 25 2026

Orlando visits Madison Square Garden on Sunday with a major offensive adjustment to make. Paolo Banchero is unavailable, leaving the Magic to redistribute scoring and playmaking against a New York team seeking its own first victory. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Our selections are Knicks -7.5 and Under 224.5, with the under remaining our best bet on Sunday’s NBA slate.

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Magic vs Knicks Game Information

Orlando Must Replace More Than Scoring

Orlando is 0-2 after home losses to Atlanta and Minnesota. Sunday is its first road game. Friday’s 115-93 defeat exposed problems before considering the subsequent injury news, and visiting New York leaves little room for another loose performance.

The Magic are averaging 109.0 points while allowing 123.5. Those figures reflect two very different offensive nights, but neither defensive result was satisfactory. Orlando needs to make New York work in the half court and complete possessions with rebounds. Allowing easy baskets would put additional pressure on an offense already missing a major source of creation.

Franz Wagner produced 18 points, six rebounds and five assists against Minnesota, while Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 20 points and nine rebounds. They become particularly important with Banchero out because of a high ankle sprain. Anthony Black’s ankle issue remains another availability concern, while Orlando also has absences affecting its forward depth. Simply transferring additional shot attempts does not replace the defensive attention Banchero attracts.

New York Can Win Without Suddenly Becoming an Offensive Machine

New York is 0-2 and 0-1 at home after losing its opener to Philadelphia and falling 107-103 at Boston on Friday. The Knicks need a better response, but their two defeats do not require assuming every part of the team has stopped working. Their defensive results have been more manageable than their offensive production.

The Knicks have scored 101.5 points per game and allowed 106.5. That is the basis for looking under before expecting a dramatic scoring rebound. New York can improve its offense by creating better opportunities within the possession instead of relying on difficult individual finishes. Against a depleted opponent, patience should be more useful than trying to force a big early statement.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Boston. OG Anunoby added 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Those contributions give New York several ways to move the defense, but the Knicks also need more consistent perimeter support. The matchup listing reviewed did not identify a New York injury absence; final availability should still be checked before tipoff.

Magic vs Knicks Statistical Comparison

2026-27 regular-season statistics through two games each.

Where This Game Gets Decided

Orlando Magic vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions

Spread Pick: New York Knicks -7.5

I’m laying 7.5 with New York. Orlando has to replace an important offensive organizer while asking a depleted rotation to defend better than it has so far. The Knicks have a credible route to covering through stops and rebounding rather than needing an exceptional shooting night. New York’s own offensive problems are the strongest objection. A favorite averaging 101.5 points cannot assume separation will arrive automatically. Orlando still has capable scorers, too. I expect the Knicks to create enough difficult possessions to win 113-102, which supports the number without making the side a stronger play than the total.

Total Pick: Under 224.5

This is my preferred bet on the slate. New York’s first two games averaged 208 combined points, and Orlando now faces a significant adjustment in how it creates offense. The Magic’s early defensive numbers are a concern, but the Knicks have not shown enough offensive consistency to make a high-scoring game the default expectation. Turnovers leading to transition baskets are the biggest danger, followed by New York finding its outside shot all at once. My projection totals 215. Under 224.5 provides useful room; I would still consider 223.5, although the original selection remains 224.5.

Final Prediction

Final Picks: New York Knicks -7.5 and Under 224.5.

Prepared for October 25, 2026. Odds and availability may change. Statistical comparisons cover two games and do not fully account for Orlando’s changed rotation.