The Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Kia Center. Here’s a Magic vs. Hawks Prediction. This article will include a Magic vs. Hawks Pick.
Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The Hawks won 46 games last season and enter year four under coach Quin Snyder. The Hawks haven’t made the playoffs in two straight seasons since the 2022-23 season.
The Hawks made minor additions this offseason and doubled down on defense by bringing in Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins. The starting five remains the same and will be led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and Jalen Johnson. The Hawks have a clear identity that includes toughness, defense, and versatility, and is built around Johnson’s all-around game. Generating easy offense and getting the new pieces to fit in quickly will be the main question with this squad. However, this is a playoff team in the East and will be a tough team nobody wants to see.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Magic haven’t won a playoff series since the 2009-10 season and began the Sean Sweeney era. The Magic have lost seven straight playoff series.
Outside of a coaching change, the Magic are pretty much the same team as last season. Paolo Banchero remains the clear franchise cornerstone and primary creator, while Franz Wagner is the complementary two-way star and Desmond Bane provides the shooting. Jalen Suggs is one of the more underrated players in the league who does a little bit of everything. Still, finding shooting is going to remain the question for the Magic. We also need healthy seasons from Wagner, Suggs, and Jonathan Isaac. Like the Hawks, the Magic are a tough-nosed team with offensive question marks.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last five season openers against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Hawks have lost four of their last five road games.
- The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four season openers.
- The Magic have covered the spread in five of their last six home games.
Why the Atlanta Hawks will win
- The Hawks have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Magic.
- The Magic have lost each of their last three games.
- The Hawks have covered the spread in each of their last four games against the Magic.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as favorites against Southeast Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Magic’s last nine night games have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the Hawks’ last six games at Kia Center have gone UNDER the total points line.
Magic vs Hawks Injury Report
The Hawks will be without Mouhamed Gueye and Henri Veesaar. Rayj Dennis, Keshon Gilbert, and Jalen Wilson are questionable.
The Magic will be without Anthony Black, Johanthan Isaac, Izaiyah Nelson, and Noah Penda.
Magic vs Hawks Prediction
The Magic should get the benefit of the doubt at home, and they should be eager for a bounce-back season after last year’s disappointments. However, the value is with the Hawks and the free points. The Hawks have fewer turnovers than a year ago and beat the Magic all four times last season. The Hawks have won 7 of the last 10 games against the Magic overall. New coaching staff for the Magic, some injuries, and we still need to see the offense come together. I’ll grab the points with the Hawks in a game they could win outright.