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Knicks face Magic in critical matchup

Mar 26, 2007 - 2:01 PM Orlando (32-38) at New York (30-39) 7:30 pm EDT

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- In a game that could go a long way in determining a playoff spot, the New York Knicks host the Orlando Magic on Monday.

Having lost three straight and six of their last eight games, the Knicks are 10th in the Eastern Conference but just 1 1/2 games back of Orlando and New Jersey for the final playoff spot.

The Knicks continue to play without guard Jamal Crawford (stress fracture ankle), forward Quentin Richardson (back) and forward David Lee (ankle).

On Friday, the Knicks made a move for the future in an unconventional manner by signing center Randolph Morris, who was an All-Southeastern Conference selection this season at Kentucky.

Morris declared himself eligible for the 2005 NBA draft following his freshman year but did not sign with an agent. After he went undrafted, Morris returned to Kentucky for his sophomore season.

Due to a provision in the collective bargaining agreement, Morris was prohibited from re-entering the draft. But he was signed as a free agent by Knicks coach and president of basketball operations Isiah Thomas, who is desperate to ignite his fading squad.

Following an embarrassing home defeat to Portland on Thursday, the Knicks endured their worst offensive showing of the season the following night in a 90-68 setback against Cleveland.

To add injury to insult, Eddy Curry and Steve Francis did not practice with flu-like symptoms and are questionable for Monday's game.

The Magic are coming off Friday's impressive 90-82 victory over New Jersey. Star forward Dwight Howard was held to 10 points, but Jameer Nelson scored 22 to secure Orlando's third win in its last five games.

New York has won the first two meetings between the teams.