Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic Pick & Prediction APRIL 15th 2025
Preview and Prediction
The Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic are both vying for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, with the hopes of facing the defending champions, the Boston Celtics. The two regional rivals have split their season series, each winning once on the other's home court. They were the top two teams in the Southeast Division, with just one game separating them.
This is the fourth consecutive year that the Hawks will participate in the play-in tournament. In 2022 and 2023, they advanced to the eight-team conference playoffs, but last April they were eliminated as the No. 10 seed by the Chicago Bulls. The Hawks have had success in the play-in tournament, tying with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans for the most wins in the five-year history of the event.
Out of the NBA's 30 teams, 21 have participated in a play-in game. This is the first time for the Orlando Magic. The two teams have faced each other in a playoff series three times, with the Hawks winning the most recent series in 2011 with a 4-2 record.
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The Hawks and Magic met twice in the final week of the regular season, with the Hawks winning both games. However, the Magic had a strong finish to the regular season, winning 9 out of their last 12 games. Paolo Banchero, who missed 34 games earlier in the season, was the NBA's eighth-leading scorer in the final stretch of the season.
Both teams have dealt with injuries throughout the season, with Banchero and star player Franz Wagner missing significant time due to torn right obliques. Despite these setbacks, the Magic were able to finish the season at .500.
Veteran player Jonathan Isaac believes that the Magic are in a great position to take on the Hawks at home on Tuesday. However, the Hawks are also feeling confident after winning their final three games and securing the No. 8 seed in the East. They will have two chances to make the playoffs if needed, as the loser of Tuesday's game will have the opportunity to host the winner of Wednesday's game between the Bulls and Heat on Friday.
In their four regular season meetings, both teams scored at least 105 points each game. However, Hawks player Trae Young believes that defense will be a key factor in Tuesday's game, as the Magic are known for their physicality and strong defense.
Both teams have different styles of play, but Young believes that the Hawks need to focus on playing their own game in order to be successful. The game is expected to be a physical one, but the Hawks are determined to come out on top.
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Atlanta vs. Orlando Recap MAR 3TH 2021
The Orlando Magic set an offensive season high with a 149-113 rout of the Atlanta Hawks in their final home game of the regular season Friday night.
It was the third-highest point total in Orlando's history. The Magic's scoring record is 155, set back in 1990. The Magic set a franchise record for points scored in a first half with 81 and led by as much as 38 in the opening half.
Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross led the offensive surge, scoring 25 points apiece. Vucevic added 11 rebounds for his 59th double-double of the season. Jonathan Isaac scored 12 points in the first quarter and finished with 18 in the game.
The record-setting performance couldn't have come at a better time. Four Eastern Conference teams -- separated by just one game -- are vying for three playoff spots. Orlando came into the night holding the eighth and final playoff spot, just a half-game ahead of the Miami Heat and a half-game behind the sixth-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Orlando (40-40) is back to .500 for the first time since Dec. 4. If the Magic win their final two games, they would make the playoffs for the first time in six years -- the longest playoff drought in franchise history.
Orlando plays at Boston on Sunday before finishing up the regular season in Charlotte on Wednesday.
Trae Young had 22 points for the Hawks, and John Collins scored 20. Atlanta (29-51) has the fifth-worst record in the NBA.
The score was tied at five until Orlando broke the game wide open with a 22-2 run. The Magic scored 42 points and held a 24-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
Orlando didn't let up in the second, playing a nearly flawless half and beating Atlanta in almost every statistical category. The Magic outshot the Hawks 66 percent to 34 percent, outrebounded them 33-18, and hit nine 3-pointers to Atlanta's five.