Magic vs. Hawks Pick
Are the shorthanded Orlando Magic going to secure a second victory this week over the host Atlanta Hawks? Game time is at 7PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Hawks are a 4.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under sits at 211 points.
Orlanda enters with an 11-16 overall record and 11-15-1 ATS after a 103-89 home loss to the Nuggets Friday night. Atlanta is 5-19 overall and 11-12-1 ATS following a 110-106 overtime loss at the Magic Wednesday night. The Magic are 3-2 straight up and 2-3 ATS in five meetings since the start of last season. The under is 3-2.
In the loss to Denver, Nikola Vucevic led the way with 21 points along with 17 rebounds and two assists. Jonathon Simmons accounted for 21 points and four rebounds. Aaron Gordon added 14 points, three rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes before leaving with a brain injury. He will not play in Saturday’s game. The Magic were also without shooting guard Evan Fournier, who injured his ankle in the OT win Wednesday did not make the trip to Atlanta for Saturday’s game. After leading 25-14 through one quarter, Orlando was outscored a combined 67-45 in the second and third quarters.
Dennis Schroder paced the Hawks with 26 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in the loss at Orlando. Taurean Prince registered 19 points and six boards. Tyler Cavanaugh added 13 points, six rebounds and two assists off the bench. The Hawks were outscored 14-10 in the extra session.
Orlando is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in Atlanta. The under is 39-16 in the last 55 meetings.
Atlanta has had a couple days of rest, while Orlando is on a back-to-back with a bit of travel and without a couple key players. The Hawks should probably never be favored by this much, but if there was ever a time it was today. They played the Magic tough in Orlando and that was against a full strength team as Fournier didn’t get hurt until the overtime. Take the hosts in this one.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: ATLANTA HAWKS -4.5