The Orlando Magic aim to build momentum ahead of the All-Star weekend when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday in the first meeting between the Eastern Conference rivals this season.
Magic’s Situation:
The Magic opened their three-game homestand with a thrilling 112-111 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Orlando entered that game having lost five of six on a grueling road trip that extended to California and back. With the win, the Magic improved to 16-9 at home and look to continue their success on their home court.
Franz Wagner had a standout performance with 33 points and 12 rebounds, while Paolo Banchero hit the game-winning shot with about 25 seconds remaining. Wagner and Banchero have been key pieces for Orlando all season, with Wagner averaging 25.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, and Banchero averaging 22.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.
Banchero has been a tough matchup for the Hawks, averaging 22.3 points against them in seven career games. Last year, he torched Atlanta for 35 and 26 points in two of his three games against the Hawks.
Hawks’ Situation:
The Hawks have won two straight games and three of their last four, including a 125-111 road victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Atlanta is 13-15 on the road and looks to improve their position in the Eastern Conference standings. Last season, Atlanta won three of four games against Orlando, with three of the contests being close. The Hawks won games by one and two points, and the Magic’s lone victory came in overtime.
This will be Atlanta’s second game with its four newly acquired players. Georges Niang started on Saturday and provided a scoring boost with 16 points, knocking down four consecutive 3-pointers. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher is expected to play a larger offensive role over the final two months of the season following the trade of De’Andre Hunter and the season-ending injury to Jalen Johnson. Risacher scored 18 points against the Wizards, matching his third-best output of the season and made a pair of 3-pointers.
Atlanta is led offensively by Trae Young, who is averaging 23.5 points and a league-leading 11.4 assists. He recorded 35 points and 14 rebounds on Saturday, marking his 31st double-double of the season. In 20 career games against Orlando, Young averages 26.5 points and 8.8 assists. He set the franchise record for points against Orlando with 41 on November 9, 2023.
Both teams are jostling for early playoff positioning, with Orlando sitting at No. 8 and Atlanta at No. 9 in the Eastern Conference.
