NY Knicks vs. Orlando Magic, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, December 13, 2025
We have the NBA Cup semifinals, which open with this Knicks vs. Magic prediction at 5:30pmET from Las Vegas. These teams faced each other three times already this season, with the Magic taking two of them, but New York won the game on Dec. 7, 106-100 as a 1-point favorite. The Knicks are 17-7 overall and 16-8 ATS, having won four straight, including a 117-101 victory over Toronto on the road as a 6-point favorite to reach the semifinals. Orlando (15-10, 12-13 ATS) beat Southeast Division rival Miami (117-108) for the second time in three games to reach the semifinals. The Knicks are 4.5-point favorites and the total is 224. Check out our other NBA Cup game and more football games this weekend at Stat Salt.
New York reaches NBA Cup semifinals for first time
Jalen Brunson scored 35 points in Tuesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal to lead the Knicks over the Raptors by 16. Karl-Anthony Towns, who did not play in Sunday's home win over Orlando due to a calf injury, added 14 points and 16 boards. Toronto was missing former Knicks' guards Immanuel Quickley due to illness and RJ Barrett due to a knee injury. It was an outstanding defensive performance by the Knicks, who held Toronto to just 43% shooting from the field and 29% from long range. They also outrebounded the Raptors by 11.
The Knicks are close to 100% healthy and playing their best basketball of the season, having won four straight and eight of nine. Brunson leads the team with 28.3 points per game and 6.3 assists, while shooting 48% from the field and 37.6% from long range. Towns adds 22.1 points and 12 rebounds, while shooting 35.5% from beyond the arc and 46.4% from the field. According to DunksandThrees.com, the Knicks are ranked third in Adjusted Net Rating, second in Adjusted Offensive Rating and 12th in Adjusted Defense.
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Key Injury Report for Knicks:
- G Landry Shamet (shoulder) is out 2-3 weeks. Avg. 9.3ppg.
- G Miles McBride (ankle) is out. Averages 11.6 points and 2.5apg.
The Magic are living up to their potential
Orlando has played well, considering they've had injuries to key players. One of them is Franz Wagner (22.7ppg, 6.1rpg), who played in just seven minutes against the Knicks on Sunday, due to a high ankle sprain. Forward Paulo Banchero has played in just 15 of Orlando's 25 games due to injuries. He's back, averaging 202 points per game and 7.9 rebounds, while former Memphis guard Desmond Bane has been productive, averaging 19 points and 4.5 assists, but is shooting just 34.9% from three-point range.
Bane came up big with 37 points in the Magic's 117-108 quarterfinal win over Miami in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Orlando, who was playing without Franz Wagner for the first time this season, was down 15-0 to start the game, but rallied after the Heat cooled off. Miami was held to just 8 of 33 from three-point range (24%) and star guard Tyler Herro went 0-for-6 on three-point attempts.
According to DunksandThrees.com, the Magic rank 6th in Adjusted Net Rating, 11th in Adjusted Offensive Rating and third in Adjusted Defense.
Key Injuries for Magic:
- F Franz Wagner (high ankle sprain) is out. Leading scorer.
Spread Pick for NBA Cup semifinals: Knicks vs. Magic
Knicks vs. Magic Pick and Prediction
- New York -4.5 (5 units)
The Knicks are rolling right now and are about as healthy as they can be in terms of rotation. The same cannot be said about Orlando, with Franz Wagner out. The Knicks are the better defensive team, allowing opponents to shoot just 45.9% from the field (7th). Orlando's three-point shooting has been a problem for them as they rank 22nd in the league at 34.5%. New York is the better team and hungry to face OKC or the Spurs in the final. They have a veteran team, and they are ready to take the next step.
Over/Under Pick for Knicks vs. Magic
- Under 223.5 (4 units)
New York still plays at a slower pace with Mike Brown as they did with Tom Thibideaux as the head coach. They rank 26th and Orlando ranks 11th. At this important game, these teams will be more methodical having played each other three times already. With Wagner out, Orlando still has talent, but they will be easier to defend because he's such a good scorer and creator. Orlando has gone under in four straight games and five of their last six. The Knicks have gone under in two straight and seven of their last nine games.
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