Knicks Pregame News and Notes vs. Orlando Magic

Knicks Pregame News and Notes vs. Orlando Magic; November 12th, 2014

The New York Knicks will continue their homestand Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic. The Knicks will be looking to snap their five-game losing streak and get back on track as they haven’t won a game in over a week. The Magic will be coming into Madison Square Garden after a hard fought game against the Toronto Raptors Tuesday night. Here are some news, notes and things to watch for in the game.

Matchup of the Game: Tobias Harris vs. Carmelo Anthony

Feb 21, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots over Orlando Magic small forward Tobias Harris (12) in the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Harris has had a strong start to the season, and will be making a homecoming. The Islip, Long Island native will surely be playing in front of a lot of friends and family as he returns home to play against his hometown Knicks. His strong start to the season will make this an interesting one with Anthony, as Harris has the size and speed to keep up with Anthony. As for Anthony, he will look to take advantage of a younger player who undoubtedly has some things to learn still, while trying to get him and the Knicks offense on track.

–Injury Updates

The Knicks held practice Tuesday and were hoping to receive some good news about Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani. They didn’t receive that for either player, as both Calderon and Bargnani did not participate in practice. They are both obviously out against the Magic, and return dates are hard to guess. Calderon is supposed to be reevaluated Wednesday, and seems to be having a return date in mind more than Bargnani.

–Magic Homecomings

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In addition to Harris, the Magic have a couple of other players on the roster that will be making homecomings. The Knicks’ 2005 first round pick Channing Frye is now a member of the Magic and will be making a return. Big man Kyle O’Quinn is a Queens native, but is questionable for the game after missing Tuesday night’s matchup with the Raptors. The Magic also have Ben Gordon, the Mount Vernon product, who has been referred to as Madison Square Gordon for the shooting displays he put on as a college product at Connecticut and against the Knicks in the NBA. Last but not least is former St. John’s Red Storm forward Moe Harkless, who is also a Queens native.

Players coming home are always something to keep an eye on, as they always have a little more energy and pep in their step playing in front of family and friends.

–Get Out To Strong Start

When playing against younger teams like the Magic would be categorized, it is important to get out to an early lead and put them away early. Giving them any confidence or letting them hang around is never a good strategy to winning, as the longer they stay around the more confidence they will gain and the better they will play. The Magic are also coming into MSG on the second night of a back-to-back, something the Knicks need to take advantage of.

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–What Is The Rotation?

Derek Fisher has not been shy about making changes to his starting lineup and rotations. Against the Hawks, Fisher went with a smaller, more athletic lineup with Shane Larkin, Iman Shumpert, Anthony and Samuel Dalembert being joined by Tim Hardaway Jr. What will the lineup look like against the Magic? Dalembert has to start to contend with Magic center Nikola Vucevic, who has been a monster on the glass thus far. The rest of the lineup is one the Knicks could opt to use again, as Frye has been starting at power forward for the Magic but is not a prototypical power forward; he is very perimeter oriented.

Expect Fisher to find minutes for Quincy Acy, who has been an energizer for the Knicks this season. They will need someone to match the motor of rookie Aaron Gordon off the Magic bench.

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