It was a fun three-game homestand for the Hawks, as they came out victorious in the trio of games. In the most recent win, they beat head coach Mike Budenholzer’s former team, San Antonio Spurs, in an OT thriller, 114-112.
The usual guys on offense made the most plays, with Paul Millsap (32 points and 13 rebounds) and Dennis Schroder (16 points and 10 assists) each recording a double-double, but it was sixth man Tim Hardaway that made the most memorable one, as he hit the three that helped the game go into an extra frame. He also finished with 29 points and six treys, both of which tied career-highs.
In matching up with a defense-focused team like the Magic, we may see the Hawks try to impose their own defense. They are allowing opponents to score 103.9 PPG on 45.4-percent shooting, which are just around the league average, but their defensive efficiency is rated seventh overall.
Along with those three aforementioned players, the team is also boasting the paint presence of Dwight Howard (13.2 RPG, 1.4 BPG), who is clogging the lanes well this season, and the perimeter defense of Thabo Sefolosha, Kent Bazemore. With the help of those swingmen, the Hawks are seventh in the league in steals (8.6 SPG).
The Hawks are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five games on the road.
The Magic will be coming off a good, dominating win over the Knicks, 115-103. It was a great all-around effort for everyone, as the team had six guys in double figures, three of which (Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon, and Jodie Meeks) had 20 or more points.
They are only 11th in the East with a 16-20 card, but since it’s only a couple of games back for the eighth and final playoff spot, there shouldn’t be any worries FOR NOW.
Among the best assets of the team, aside from head coach Frank Vogel’s defensive schemes, is size – Ibaka, Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, and Bismack Biyombo are all key guys in the rotation, and they’re all above 6’9. Their intimidating frame is definitely playing a part in the Magic being third in blocks (5.7) and eighth in opponent turnovers per game (12.7).
Offense isn’t the team’s main strength (24th in points and 26th in efficiency), although they have shown in some games that they can pile up points when they’re on. They have exceeded the 104.3 PPG league average 12 times this season, and in eight of those, they had 130-plus points. Also, five players are putting up 11 or more PPG.
The Magic are 7-11 at home this season (5-11-2 ATS).
