:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60500029/GYI0062906360.0.0.jpg)
The Orlando Magic host the much-improved New York Knicks this evening in a nationally televised affair that'll close out the 2010 portion of their schedule. Free agency brought center Amar'e Stoudemire, now the league's second-leading scorer at 26.3 points per game, and point guard Raymond Felton to the Big Apple, and they've keyed a notable turnaround that's certain to result in a playoff appearance.
The personnel has changed and improved, but the system under coach Mike D'Antoni remains the same: the Knicks look to run the ball (96.6 possessions per game), take plenty of three-pointers (24.7 per game), and aren't terribly committed to defense (109.2 points per 100 possessions allowed). With that said, this team has so many offensive weapons that it can blow you away even if you play solid defense. Orlando's best hope, if its own offense doesn't work, is to lock up Stoudemire on the inside and just sort of hope the perimeter shooting of Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and rookie revelation Landry Fields doesn't sink them.
Former Knick Quentin Richardson still has the flu and won't play this evening for Orlando.
I'm here at Amway Center to cover the game live.
| 2010/2011 NBA Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 | @ |  |
| 18-13 (10-6 road) Lost 1 | 20-12 (11-5 home) Won 4 | |
| December 30th, 2010 | ||
| Amway Center | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| TNT | ||
| Probable Starters | ||
| Raymond Felton | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Landry Fields | SG | Jason Richardson |
| Wilson Chandler | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Danilo Gallinari | PF | Brandon Bass |
| Amar'e Stoudemire | C | Dwight Howard |
| 2010/11 Advanced Stats | ||
| 96.6 (2nd) | Pace | 91.7 (18th) |
| 110.2 (7th) | ORtg | 106.2 (16th) |
| 109.2 (24th) | DRtg | 101.3 (4th) |
| Game Officials | ||
| James Capers | ||
| Pat Fraher | ||
| Derek Richardson | ||