The Orlando Magic clash against the suddenly reeling and injury-depleted New York Knicks Friday night inside famed Madison Square Garden. Bookmaker has installed the Knicks as a slim - 1.5 point favorite. 

The Knicks have suddenly been bitten by the injury bug and have had some major issues not only scoring consistently in the paint. They have really hit a bad stretch and need to get it together as soon as possible before the season slips away from them.

They have been hit hard with some rough injuries and have dropped four of six overall and have seen their record drop to 36-26 overall this season. They are dealing with an injury to Jalen Brunson who is listed as questionable with a knee injury.

He has been far and away their best player this season and their most complete player on both sides of the floor. The Knicks need him out there because he creates offense for them. If he can go, New York will push the pace and look for him to get the ball into the hands of veteran power forward Julius Randle, who has played through some nagging injuries but somehow has managed to average 24 points this season to go along with seven rebounds per game. 

New York connects on 53% from the floor and that includes around 36% from beyond the arc. 

The Magic (37-26) have had an outstanding season and are a young team on the rise, which makes them dangerous because they do not know any better. They have ripped off five straight wins and eight out of nine overall and are looking like a team that is gaining confidence each and every night they step out on the court. 

They have some very young talent on offense and they are led by 21-year-old power forward Paolo Banchero, who is netting a team-high 22 points per game to go along with just under seven rebounds a night. He is a tone setter on the floor and has really taken his game to the next level in such a short time. Orlando believes he is the face of the franchise and they can build around him. Look for the Magic to really play an up-tempo style of game, which means Jalen Suggs will look to distribute the ball quickly and also create his own shot.

If Brunson can not go for the Knicks, the Magic will be able to have the edge in the backcourt. 

The Knicks are 2-3 in their last five games and 1-4 in their last five games against the number too. They are a solid 170-13 in their road games against the spread and the totals have gone over in one out of their last five games. The Magic are 5-0 in their last five games and 5-0 in their last five games against the spread. They are a very solid 21-13 in their road games against the number too. The totals have gone over in one out of their last five games.