3 Things to Watch, Odds and Prediction
- How To Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Orlando); FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (Atlanta); NBA League Pass (National)
- STREAM MAGIC-HAWKS ON FUBO TV
- How to Listen: WYGM 96.9 FM (Orlando); 740AM (Orlando); 92.9 The Game (Atlanta); Sirius XM Channel 145 (Magic); NBA Audio League Pass (National)
- FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
- Tickets: $18-$261+ on StubHub
- Season Series: Hawks 111, Magic 107 in Orlando on Oct. 24; Hawks 127, Magic 112 in Atlanta on Nov. 4; Hawks 124, Magic 112 in Atlanta on March 16; Tonight in Orlando
Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks: Stats and 3 Keys to Watch
atlanta | orlando | |
|---|---|---|
102.5 | Pace | 100.1 |
114.8 | Off. Rtg. | 114.2 |
113.0 | Def. Rtg. | 114.0 |
55.2 | eFG% | 53.0 |
28.8 | O.Reb.% | 30.4 |
13.7 | TO% | 13.8 |
23.4 | FTR | 30.7 |
1. Franz’s return
Franz Wagner appears set to return after lacking each sport because the All-Star break and 47 of the final 51 video games with a excessive ankle sprain and issues in recovering from it. It is a big aid because the Magic can lastly really feel nearer to entire.
This first sport can be a bit tough, although. Wagner is predicted to be on a minute restriction — most likely comparable to the 4 video games he returned for — and nobody ought to count on him to take over the sport, whether or not he begins or comes off the bench.
Wagner is averaging 21.3 factors per sport this season posting and 47.9/36.5/82.8 taking pictures splits. The Magic have a +1.7 web ranking with Wagner on the ground, together with a 114.0 offensive ranking and 112.3 defensive ranking. The Magic had a +2.7 web ranking with Wagner on the ground earlier than his damage (114.2/111.4).
In the 4 video games Wagner performed because the preliminary damage, Wagner averaged 12.8 factors per sport and shot 39.1 p.c from the ground in 22.8 minutes per sport. I have returned in Berlin to score 18 points on 6-for-16 taking pictures, making a number of huge photographs down the stretch to clinch the win. In his return game against the Milwaukee Buckshe had 14 factors on 6-for-10 taking pictures.
There will definitely be an preliminary enhance in power from Wagner’s return every time he steps on the court docket. The query is whether or not it will likely be efficient sufficient for the Magic to journey that power to a win.
2. Self-Inflicted Wounds
The Orlando Magic have struggled with turnovers to a ton within the final two video games. The turnovers have been an enormous a part of that 31-0 run — 12 of them in that run — against the Toronto Raptors. They dedicated 25 turnovers for 18 Phoenix Suns factors in Tuesday’s win.
The Magic are nonetheless tenth within the league in turnover price at 13.8 p.c. They are at 14.7 p.c within the final 15 video games.
That is bleeding possessions for a staff that wants to worth the ball. Orlando has fallen from a season common of 16.8 factors allowed off turnovers per sport to 18.7 factors allowed off turnovers per sport within the final 15 video games.
The Atlanta Hawks are feasting on turnovers with their defensive upturn and now improved offensive stream and spacing.
The Hawks common a league-leading 24.9 factors off turnovers per sport within the final 15 video games and drive a 17.4 p.c turnover price.
This is the important thing to the sport. The Magic can’t flip the ball over excessively as they’ve been. The Hawks will put the Magic below plenty of stress.
3. The Jalen Suggs ups and downs
That goes to put plenty of the stress on Jalen Suggs. He is the purpose guard and has plenty of management and course over the offense. And he has at occasions been the maniac defensively and an improved playmaker that makes an enormous distinction.
At different occasions, he has been throwing the ball round, making dangerous selections and turning the ball over. They each occur usually inside the similar sport.
Suggs scored 20 factors and was +15 in Tuesday’s sport with seven assists. But he additionally had six turnovers. There have been plenty of dangerous ones in there.
In the Magic’s final 9 video games, Suggs is averaging 12.3 factors per sport, 4.9 assists per sport and 3.3 turnovers per sport with 43.2 p.c taking pictures and 31.7 p.c from three. He has been wildly up and down.
But within the Magic’s final 9 video games, they’ve a -11.6 web ranking (109.8 offensive ranking/121.4 defensive ranking) with Suggs on the ground. It is -8.9 with him off the ground.
Getting Suggs proper continues to be one of many huge questions for the Magic as they conclude the season. They is usually a really elite staff when he’s proper. But consistency continues to elude him.
Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks: Injury Report & Projected Lineups
Atlanta Hawks Injury Report
- Jock Landale – QUESTIONABLE (Illness)
- RayJ Dennis – QUESTIONABLE (G-League Two-Way)
- Keshon Gilbert – QUESTIONABLE (G-League Two-Way)
Orlando Magic Injury Report
- Franz Wagner – QUESTIONABLE (Left High Ankle Sprain Injury Management)
- Anthony Black – OUT (Left Lateral Abdominal Strain)
- Jonathan Isaac – OUT (Left Knee Sprain)
- Colin Castleton – OUT (G-League Two-Way)
- Alex Morales – OUT (G-League Two-Way)
Projected Starting Lineups
atlanta | orlando | |
|---|---|---|
CJ McCollum | P.G. | Jalen Suggs |
Dyson Daniels | S.G. | Desmond Bane |
Nickeil Alexander-Walker | S.F. | Tristan da Silva |
Jalen Johnson | PF | Paolo Banchero |
Onyeka Okongwu | c | Wendell Carter |
Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks: Prediction
Our Record: 46-29/32-43 ATS
The Orlando Magic ought to get a shot within the arm with Franz Wagner’s return to the lineup. Really in any capability, it needs to be a aid for this staff.
They will sooner or later get their opening evening beginning lineup on the ground collectively. They have a +14.0 web ranking — 120.1 offensive ranking and 106.1 defensive ranking — in 126 minutes throughout 13 video games. That merely will not be sufficient time to conclude something concerning the group. But it’s promising.
The solely subject is that they’re going up towards an Atlanta Hawks staff that’s rolling. Their beginning lineup has a +22.5 web ranking with a 124.7 offensive ranking and 102.2 defensive ranking. They have dominated the league since coming collectively after the Trae Young commerce.
The Hawks have gained 17 of 20 video games to climb into management of the Southeast Division and out of the Play-In. They are top-of-the-line tales within the league.
Maybe they’re slowing down some. But you’ve to actually squint. And whereas the Orlando Magic have gotten some momentary aid with the win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesdayit’s nonetheless not sure if this staff is again.
This is a intestine test sport. They put in a very good defensive efficiency on Tuesday and appeared extra like themselves, even with their errors. They want one other good efficiency to strive to steal this win again and make an enormous step up within the race to keep away from the Play-In — and even get the 7-seed and host the 7/8 Play-In sport.
Even taking part in nicely might not be sufficient towards an excellent Hawks staff.
