Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 1-7-2024
The Atlanta Hawks travel to Orlando on Sunday to take on the Magic in an Eastern Conference showdown. Both teams have struggled a bit as of late with each going 4-6 in their last ten games. The Hawks are just 14-20 on the season while the surprising Magic are 20-15 on the season. The opening tap is scheduled for 6:00 PM EST.
For your daily picks in Major League Baseball, College Football Picks, the NHL, NBA Picks, and all NFL action, check out all my premium picks with at least two per day. My Best Bet of the Week can be as low as $24.99 (usually $50) if you use this link. Take advantage of this as this comes with a profit guarantee. Win or get the money back in credit!
Sports betting promos include odds boosts, bonus bets, first bet insurance, and deposit match offers.
Hawks Having Trouble Taking Off
The Atlanta Hawks have struggled to a 14-20 mark up to this point, including six losses in their last ten games. Rumors are swirling that the team will be active at the trade deadline and they may be in for a major overhaul going forward. On Friday night, the Hawks were ambushed by the high-scoring Pacers on their way to a 150-116 blowout loss. The Hawks’ defense allowed the Pacers to shoot 64% from the field including 71% in the first half. Dejounte Murray led Atlanta with 30 points while his All-Star backcourt mate, Trae Young, was held to just 13 points on 4-of-18 shooting.
“Sometimes there are games where you didn’t play well and we didn’t,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “I don’t know we did anything at the level we need to win against these guys on the road. They’re obviously playing well and made it hard on us. We didn’t have it tonight.”
The Hawks come into Sunday’s action with the third-highest scoring offense in the NBA. The Hawks are 18th in field goal percentage thus far and 18th in 3-point shooting. They do rely heavily on the three-ball, ranked 7th in the NBA in 3-point field goals per game. On the defensive end, Atlanta is 28th in the NBA in points allowed per game. The Hawks are 30th in opponent’s shooting percentage and just 27th in 3-point defense. On the glass, Atlanta ranks 17th in the NBA in total rebounds per game. Despite the team’s stellar backcourt of Murray and Young, the Hawks are 17th in turnovers per game.
Key Injuries: SF De’Andre Hunter (knee) is out.
Want more picks for the NBA? Go here for more NBA Free Picks and get the best picks.
Magic Gone?
The Orlando Magic have been one of the surprise teams in the NBA thus far and still are very much in the playoff picture with a record of 20-15 as the NBA season nears the halfway point. They have struggled lately, however, and won just four of their last ten games. In their last game, the young Magic team picked up one of their signature wins of the season in a 122-120 win in Denver against the defending NBA Champion Nuggets. Paolo Banchero led the way with a pair of free throws to give the Magic the lead with under ten seconds to go. Banchero ended with his first career triple-double finishing with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists as the Magic rallied back from a deficit as much as 18 points in the game.
“Just the power of just positive energy and just pushing each other,” said Banchero, who was 15 of 19 from the free throw line. “We just told each other, ‘We’re all we got. We’re going to live with the result, whatever it is, but we’re not just going to roll over and let these guys blow us out.’”
Orlando comes into this game ranked 20th in the NBA in scoring offense. The Magic are 16th in field goal percentage and just 27th in 3-point shooting. They aren’t nearly as reliant on the 3-point shot as the Hawks, ranked 28th in the NBA in 3-point field goals per game. Defensively, the Magic are 11th in defensive scoring. They are 17th in opponent’s shooting percentage and 11th in 3-point defense. The Magic are one of the better rebounding teams in the league, ranked 8th in total rebounds per game. The young team, not surprisingly, struggles to protect the basketball and ranks 25th in turnovers per game.
Key Injuries: PF Jonathan Isaac (hamstring), SG Joe Ingles (ankle), PG Markelle Fultz (knee), SG Gary Harris (calf), SF Franz Wagner (ankle) are all out. C Wendell Carter Jr. (knee) is questionable.
Friday’s Top Plays
Today’s Top Plays
Scott Steehn – 9-2 NFL Totals Run – Snag Scott’s NFL Saturday Night Special For Just $29 – CLICK HERE
Arthur Reyes – 13-2-1 CBB Run – Grab Arthur’s Saturday CBB Best Bet For Just $29 – CLICK HERE
Tom Macrina – 14-5 NFL Run – Snag Tom’s AFC South Game Of The Year For Just $29 – CLICK HERE
Will Rogers – 20-9 CBB Run – Grab Will CBB Total Of The Month For Just $40 – CLICK HERE
David Hess – 12-4 NBA Best Bet Run – Snatch up David’s NBA Totals Annihilator For Just $29 – CLICK HERE
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
One of the things that has made the Magic so difficult to play this season has been the team’s depth. On Sunday, however, the Magic will be down several key players including Franz Wagner, and that depth will be challenged. The Hawks come into this game following a humiliating loss to an Indiana team that plays a completely different style of basketball than the Magic. The Pacers play fast and shoot the 3-ball often. The Magic play at a middle-of-the-road pace and don’t rely on the 3-point field goal nearly as much. In addition, without the bench strength, particularly at guard, on Sunday, the Magic will have problems containing Murray and Young.
Take the Hawks -1.
Prediction: Atlanta -1
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Hawks will be able to play this game at their pace on Sunday with the Magic down several key players including three key frontcourt players that would otherwise help control the glass for Orlando. I expect the Hawks to be able to play at their pace, the fifth-fastest in the NBA, and get more than one chance at the rim on each possession against a depleted Magic team. Look for this game to be played fast and in the 120s.
Take the over.
Prediction: Over 239.5