Magic versus Knicks Game Thread

The Magic are back out on the road. First stop? The Big Apple.

And the Knicks could be without their big unicorn.

Kristaps Porzingis - who also missed the match-up against Orlando in November, which the Magic won 112-99 - is unlikely to play as he recovers from a sprained ankle. Porzingis, averaging 25.8 points per game, was also forced to miss practice on Saturday because of an illness.

The Magic will not exactly be distraught to see the league's fifth leading scorer take a DNP against them given their struggling defense, which over the last 12 games has allowed 114.9 points per possessions, worst in the league over that stretch.

After snapping their nine game losing streak with a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Magic allowed a season-high 133 points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors (somewhat understandable when considering the opponent but the Magic still lacked energy on the defensive end). The Magic have seen their defensive efficiency drop to 108.4 points per 100 possessions, which is fourth worst in the league.

In term of offensive efficiency, the Magic (105.4) and Knicks (105.3) are quite similar. The numbers won't mean much for the Knicks are forced to start Michael Beasley in place of Porzingis. Though Beasley did record 30 points against the Rockets last week while filling in for Porzingis.

The Knicks (11-10) have played well on their home court, where they are 10-4 and winning by an average margin of 14.3 points. The Magic, who have dropped 10 of their last 12 games since they last played the Knicks on Nov. 8, have lost seven straight games on the road.

Tip-off for the Sunday matinee is set for 3:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden. Catch the game on Fox Sports Florida, NBA League Pass and ESPN 580 AM.