Will Derrick Rose Play Tonight? New York Knicks vs Orlando Magic: Injury Updates, Lineups and Predictions

The New York Knicks continue their march towards the playoffs as they face the Orlando Magic tonight. The Knicks are on the road this time, after beating the Magic at the MSG earlier in the season. They play at the Amway Center at 7 pm EST.

The Knicks are on a splendid three-game winning streak currently. The return of Derrick Rose has helped them regain form, and they have three out of four games since he rejoined. They defeated the Hawks in their last game, a comfortable 11-point win, thanks to Julius Randle’s heroics.

The Magic are going through a nightmare run now. They were 6-2 at the start of the season, but since then, they have won just four of their next 22 games. Their record is currently 10-18, and they are slowly plunging to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. But the main reason behind this run isn’t just their poor performance, but their injury crisis.

New York Knicks expected lineup

The Knicks only have one player on the injury list. Center Mitchell Robinson has been sidelined for at least a month with a hand injury that he suffered against the Wizards.

Their starting lineup will feature Elfrid Payton and RJ Barrett as their guards, Reggie Bullock and Julius Randle as their forwards, and Nerlens Noel as their center.

Orlando Magic expected lineup

Unfortunately for the Magic, their injury list is just growing. They have seven crucial players from their rotation absent, and the most recent one being rookie Cole Anthony. Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, and Markelle Fultz are all out for the game as well, while Al-Farouq Aminu, Evan Fournier, and James Ennis III are listed as questionable.

Michael Carter-Williams and Terrence Ross will start as their guards, Gary Clark and Dwayne Bacon as their forwards, and Nikola Vucevic as their center.

Prediction

The Knicks enter as the favorites, unsurprisingly. They come in good form, and a healthy rotation, while the Magic are scrambling to build one. Unless the hosts pull off a huge, surprising upset, the Knicks look set to pile on their misery. It will be their 15th win of the season, and it will see them achieve a .500 record. It will help them to further solidify their spot for the playoffs.

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