A Southeast Division showdown gets Wednesday’s season-opening NBA slate started in Florida. The Hawks had some momentum to end last season, even forcing the champion Knicks into a six-game series. After an active offseason, Atlanta will be looking to take another step towards contention in the Eastern Conference. As for the Magic, new head coach Sean Sweeney hopes to retool a roster that has fallen short of expectations in recent years. Can Orlando make an early statement against its rivals?
The Magic enter tonight’s matchup as 2.5-point favorites, with the total set at 234.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Wednesday’s Atlanta vs. Orlando contest.
Hawks vs. Magic prediction, preview
As previously mentioned, the Hawks hung around against New York last postseason. That strong effort may have given this front office motivation to make some win-now moves. That came to fruition with a trade for Lu Dort, one of the NBA’s elite perimeter defenders. A staple for years with the Thunder, the Canadian brings championship pedigree to a relatively inexperienced roster. This club already did a solid job of getting stops, ranking ninth in defensive rating (113.7) last season. Don’t sleep on Aaron Wiggins either, another offseason addition from Oklahoma City. The forward has posted impressive 46/37/79 shooting splits over the past two years.
With that being said, Atlanta’s dream of advancing further into the playoffs rests on the shoulders of Jalen Johnson. Last year was a coming out party for the All-Star, who has blossomed into a true jack of all trades. Through 72 games, JJ averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field (35% 3PT). He’ll be accompanied by veteran CJ McCollum, who thrived after getting sent over to the Hawks midseason. During 41 games with his new club, the guard recorded 18.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game along with 46/36/75 shooting splits. It’s worth noting that Atlanta recorded the NBA’s third-best net rating after the All-Star break (+10.4).
Scoring was far more of a struggle for the Magic, wielding a borderline medieval offense under old head coach Jamahl Mosley. The hope is that new head coach Sean Sweeney can scheme up better opportunities for buckets going forward. It all starts with former first overall pick Paolo Banchero. The power forward, undoubtedly talented, has become a bit frustrating to watch. An offensive game that relies heavily on mid-range jumpers doesn’t vibe with the modern NBA zeitgeist. Orlando’s leading man connected on a lackluster 30.5% of his three-point attempts last season. Improved health from co-stars Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs would go a long way towards helping this group compete.
It was a relatively quiet offseason for Orlando. Other than bringing back fan favorite Nikola Vucevic, there aren’t any big names being added to this year’s roster. Still, a new coaching staff and better injury luck could provide an increase in the win column. It’s easy to forget now, but this squad nearly took down the top-seeded Pistons during a hard-fought seven game series last postseason. That was due in large part to a tenacious defense, among the NBA’s best at full strength. The Magic posted a respectable 114.3 defensive rating, 11th-best in all of basketball last season. Keep in mind, they did so in spite of Wagner and Suggs missing a combined 73 regular season contests.
Best Bet: Hawks ML (+110)
If there’s a downside for the Magic coming into tonight’s game, they’re already banged up. Two-way guard Anthony Black (ankle) has been ruled out, along with fellow defensive standout Jonathan Isaac (knee). That’s a significant hit to a team that already has questions when it comes to its depth. In comparison, a second half surge gives Atlanta momentum heading into the new season. Dort’s addition could frustrate an already vulnerable Orlando offense, while a fast-paced, three-point heavy attack chips away on the other end. At plus money, I’m leaning towards a more well-rounded Hawks roster.
