Pre-Game: Magic vs. Knicks 7:00 PM

The New York Knicks will have yet another big game as they face the Orlando Magic tonight at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are coming off a win against the Milwaukee Bucks in which they won without Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin.

Tonight the Knicks will have to do the same thing against the Orlando Magic. Amare Stoudemire will be out 2-4 weeks with a bulging disc and Jeremy Lin is still out with left knee soreness. These two injuries will give other players opportunities to step up and help the team get some wins. The likely guy to see minutes is Josh Harrellson who is the only forward left since Jared Jeffries went down with a knee injury.

The one guy who will play despite injury is Carmelo Anthony. In the last game Anthony strained his groin again, but was able to play through the pain. Tonight Anthony will have to fight yet again and help get the Knicks another win. Anthony is coming off a 28 point game and seems to be getting his scoring touch back. This game will be closely watched simply because the Knicks are going up against a top five Eastern Conference power. This is a game Anthony can be a leader and take the Knicks to the next level.

Tyson Chandler has been the force the Knicks have needed in the painted area. Tonight he will face Dwight Howard, who is a force of his own, looking to limit his production. Chandler faced Howard earlier in the season and held him to just 8 points in Howards 38 minutes on the floor. This could possibly be the matchup of the game in which the Knicks need to keep Howard from being effective in the paint.

Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick led the Magic over the Knicks in their first matchup of the season on January 16th. Anderson and Redick combined for 51 points in that game and combined for 10 of the teams 17 three pointers made in that game. Tonight the Knicks have to stay up on their shooters and try to keep them from scoring from long distance. If they are able to shut the Magic down from behind the arc they will win this game.

Live from Madison Square Garden at 7:00 PM the Knicks will face the Orlando Magic. This game will be televised on ESPN and MSG. The Knicks will be looking for their third straight win with a win tonight. Let’s go Knicks!