
It isn’t usually you get into the month of February and two NBA groups haven’t performed one another, not to mention two groups in the identical division, however when the Magic and the Hawks play tonight, will probably be for the primary time this season. Each groups have been damage by accidents this season, however each groups are nonetheless in competition for a prime six seed within the Jap Convention. Getting into tonight's sport, the Hawks are only a half sport behind Orlando for the No. 8 spot within the East. With simply two extra video games earlier than the All-Star Break, the Hawks wish to proceed constructing momentum.
For the reason that commerce deadline, the Hawks are 2-0, however the wins have come in opposition to a Bucks crew with out Giannis and the Wizards. Whereas Orlando isn’t one of many elite groups within the NBA, they’ve a tricky protection and are usually not going to be a straightforward opponent. Whereas accidents are largely in charge, the Magic have gone from being close to the highest of the convention to dropping 10 of their final 13 video games. This could be a giant win for the Hawks in the event that they have been to have the ability to pull it out.
Coming into tonight's sport, the Hawks are eighth within the NBA in PPG, seventeenth in FG%, 14th in 3PA, twenty fourth in 3P%, 2nd in FTA, twenty sixth in turnovers, and tenth in rebounding. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is twenty first in factors per 100 possessions, nineteenth in efficient area objective share, twentieth in turnover share, 14th in offensive rebounding share, and seventh in free throw charge.
At present, the Hawks rank twenty sixth in PPG allowed, twenty seventh in area objective share allowed, twenty fourth in three-point makes an attempt allowed, and twenty fifth in three-point share allowed. Per Cleansing the Glass, Atlanta is twelfth in factors allowed per 100 possessions and twenty seventh in efficient area objective share allowed.
As has been the case in earlier seasons, the Orlando offense isn’t their power. The Magic rank thirtieth in PPG, twenty eighth in FG%, nineteenth in 3PA, thirtieth in 3P%, seventh in FTA, twenty seventh in rebounding, and seventeenth in turnovers. Per Cleansing the Glass, Oralndo ranks twenty ninth in factors per 100 possessions, thirtieth in efficient area objective share, nineteenth in turnover share, eleventh in offensive rebounding share, and sixth in free throw charge.
The protection however is without doubt one of the NBA's greatest. The Magic rank 2nd in PPG allowed, twenty fourth in FG% allowed, 1st in 3PA allowed, and twenty sixth in 3P% allowed. Per Cleansing the Glass, Orlando ranks third in factors allowed per 100 possessions and twenty second in efficient area objective share allowed.
Trae Younger is taking part in arguably his greatest basketball of the season heading into tonight's sport. Younger has scored not less than 32 factors in 4 of his final 5 video games and has had no fewer than seven assists within the final six video games. Younger could have his fingers full tonight with the Orlando protection, however he’s taking part in effectively heading into tonight's sport.
Talking of taking part in effectively, Dyson Daniels is turning into a particular all-around participant. Daniels is thought for his elite protection, however he’s averaging 17.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 6.4 APG within the month of February. The massive query for him might be who he’s guarding tonight with Jalen Suggs unlikely to play.
Talking of taking part in effectively, No. 1 decide Zaccharie Risacher is beginning to present why the Hawks chosen him with the primary decide.
Risacher missed practically two weeks with an harm and had not been taking pictures effectively from three this season. Nonetheless, the previous six video games have been completely different for Risacher. He scored 30 factors on 11-14 taking pictures in a sport vs the Cavs, scored 17 factors in a loss vs Indiana, 17 in a win over Detoit, 13 in a win over Milwaukee, and final night time he had 18 factors in a win over the Wizards. In 5 of the final six video games, Risacher has shot 79%, 55%, 56%, 60%, and 67% from the sphere. Within the month of February, Risacher to date has averaged 14.2 PPG on 56% taking pictures from the ground and 38% from three.
Georges Niang made his Hawks debut on Saturday vs Washington and didn’t disappoint. He scored 16 factors and shot 4-7 from three, giving the HAwks some a lot wanted spacing and taking pictures skill.
Onyeka Okongwu didn’t have his greatest sport on Saturday vs Washington and might want to play higher tonight. He had six factors and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes.
The bench rotation included Caris LeVert, Larry Nance, Terance Mann, and VIt Krejci on Saturday, however Clint Capela isn’t on the harm report as of now. He was not on the harm report main into Saturday's sport, which he didn’t play in. Will Capela make his returACcn tonight vs the Magic? It could give the Hawks a a lot wanted increase in rebounding and rim safety.
LeVert solely performed quarter-hour on Saturday on account of having 5 fouls, however might be seeking to make extra of an influence tonight. Nance scored 14 and Krejci had a close to triple double off the bench with 12 factors, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Krejci is taking pictures 48% from three in February.
Trae Younger (proper Achilles tendinitis) is possible, however the remainder of the Hawks harm report is clear. Clint Capela isn’t listed on the harm report, however he was not listed main as much as final night time's sport vs the Wizards. He was inactive for the sport.
In line with Fanduel Sportsbook, Orlando is a 5.5 level favourite in tonight's sport and the over/beneath is about at 220.5.
Hawks:
G- Trae Younger
G – Dyson Daniels
F – Zaccharie Risacher
F – Georges Niang
C – Onyeka Okongwu
Magic
G- Cole Anthony
G- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
F- Paolo Banchero
F- Franz Wagner
C- Goga Bitadze
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Jackson Caudell has been overlaying Georgia Tech Athletics For On SI since March 2022 and the Atlanta Hawks for On SI since October 2023. Jackson can be the co-host of the Bleav in Georgia Tech podcast and he likes to deliver considerate evaluation and complete protection to every part that he does. Discover him on X @jacksoncaudell
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