Knicks vs Magic Props – Best Player Props for MLK Day Game

• The New York Knicks visit the Orlando Magic as part of the NBA’s MLK slate
• Both teams staying afloat in the bottom half of the East playoff bracket
• See the best player prop bets for Knicks-Magic game below

Don’t look know, but the New York Knicks have upgraded from abysmal to mediocre.

That happens to be the range of their opponent Monday night, as they visit the Orlando Magic. Orlando currently sits sixth in the East at 6-7, while New York sits in ninth at 6-8, in the thick of the play-in for the final two sports in the conference.

The Knicks just laid the wood to the Jayson Tatum-less Celtics, while the Magic were the sacrificial lamb in the James Harden Brooklyn debut.

The home side sits at 1-point favorites in this one,  but let’s up the ante with some player props you should be eyeing.

Knicks vs Magic Player Props and Odds

Odds taken Jan. 17th from FanDuel & BetMGM

Gordon Good From Deep

Okay, so it sounds a little counterintuitive to predict Aaron Gordon getting it done from deep when the Magic are dead-last in 3-point shooting in the NBA at 31.8%. And even more crazy when you consider the Knicks lead the league in three-point shooting defense, limiting teams to a lowly 31.6% clip.

Aaron Gordon's silky smooth step-back three looks even smoother in the creamsicle pinstripes pic.twitter.com/eKMYRPhlUl

— Beyond the RK (@beyondtheRK) January 12, 2021

But after a dismal December shooting from distance, Gordon has been getting it done in January, posting a 41% mark from beyond the arc in 2021. He’s been held under two makes in just three of seven games in January. His last game, against the Nets, was his first 0-fer, missing all six attempts.

poking around the NBA stats dashboard… Aaron Gordon is shooting 40.7 percent on catch-and-shoot threes, and 57.6 percent on all shots when he touches it for 2 seconds or fewer. Last year: 32.5 percent and 49.6 percent, respectively.

— Evan Dunlap (@BQRMagic) January 17, 2021

But that was also the second of a back-to-back, and he’s failed to connect on a three-pointer in two such instances on the season. Back at home, Gordon should be well rested, able to find the range, and able to make you some scratch. He’s been on fire on the home rims in January, shooting a blistering 12-for-22 for 54.5% in four games.

The pick: Aaron Gordon OVER 1.5 three-pointers made (-104)

Barrett Bouncing Back

Let’s stay with the redemption story, and to almost forgotten second-year man RJ Barrett on the Knicks. Let’s just say the Canadian hasn’t exactly been the polished package many would have expected as the third overall pick in 2019, with only Zion Williamson and Ja Morant ahead of him in the pecking order.

THIS is the RJ Barrett we know and love pic.twitter.com/jM30qZtNyC

— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) January 16, 2021

After breaking double digits in seven straight games to open the season, Barrett suffered a rough 4-game swoon in which he shot a brutal 21-for-66 (31.8%) and averaged a dismal 12 points a game. To be fair, it was right in the midst of New York’s five-game losing streak, so no Knick was playing well.

But Barrett has looked better as of late, scoring 20 points in two straight and then potting 19 on Sunday in a win over the Celtics to stop that losing skid. Playing more confidently, Barrett has cut down the shot attempts and sought out better looks. He’s gone 19-for-40 in his lat three games, shooting 47.5% from the field.

RJ Barrett drives on the close out and finishes with the lift for the dunk (thanks to a smooth clamp down pick by Elfrid Payton). Barrett has 6 points (3-of-13 shooting), 7 reb, and 3 assists. Knicks down by 11. pic.twitter.com/OfLzlrTCyd

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) January 12, 2021

While Julius Randle is the do-all point forward with the ball in his hands, Barrett has found a way to coexist and make due, while he awaits his turn at that Randle position. For now, the good times will roll against Orlando.

The pick: RJ Barrett OVER 17.5 points (+100)