Knicks welcome Magic to Big Apple

Orlando is tied with New Jersey for seventh in the Eastern Conference playoff race, while the Knicks are 1 1/2 games off the eighth and final spot.

The Magic have alternated wins and losses over their last six games and posted a 90-82 win over the Nets on Friday at Amway Arena. Jameer Nelson scored 12 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to lead Orlando, which will open a short two-game road trip tonight in the Big Apple.

Grant Hill scored 12 points and Hedo Turkoglu added 11 points and seven rebounds in the win for the Magic. Dwight Howard ended with 10 points and 16 rebounds in the winning effort.

Orlando will also visit Boston on the trek and is 11-24 on the road this season.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have dropped three straight and five of their last six games, including Friday’s 90-68 setback to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Eddy Curry finished with 27 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks, who will open a brief two-game homestand this evening.

New York will host the Cavs on Wednesday to close out the stand and is 18-17 at Madison Square Garden this season. On the injury front for the Knicks, forward David Lee (leg/ankle), center Kelvin Cato (sinus infection) and guard Quentin Richardson (back) are all questionable versus Orlando.

Monday’s game between Orlando and New York is the third and final meeting of the regular season. The Knicks have won the first two encounters in 2006-07 and three of the last four matchups with the Magic.

Orlando has lost its last two trips to Madison Square Garden.