Two early-season NBA games where home court and a clearer mechanism lean one way, though neither is a blowout picture. Both home teams have a named reason to be trusted over the numbers on the other side.
Knicks versus Magic: New York is 0-2, but both losses were close ones against good teams, at Boston and against Philadelphia. Orlando is also 0-2 with a minus 29 margin and 247 points conceded in two games, and several players carry sidelined tags. Banchero's status is unclear and could change how Orlando creates, and Alvarado is only a bench guard for the Knicks. Home court at the Garden and the Magic's leaky defence are why I'm siding with the Knicks.
Timberwolves versus Raptors: both teams are 2-0. Minnesota's edge in both wins came from offensive rebounds and second-chance points, and it kept scoring when its lead guard shot 5 of 23. DiVincenzo has been out since before the season and Minnesota still won twice by double digits on the road. Toronto scores early, but its three-point shooting is cold and the sample is small, with Bittle only a deep-bench big. Expect a close game where Minnesota's glass work matters in the middle quarters. That's why I'm siding with Minnesota at home.
