The Orlando Magic may enter this matchup on a seven-game winning streak, but I’m backing the Atlanta Hawks as 2.5-point favorites. In my numbers, this line should be closer to Hawks -5. Atlanta matches up well with Orlando across the board. Jalen Johnson provides a strong defensive matchup for Paolo Banchero at the point-forward spot, while the Hawks also have the perimeter defenders needed to make life difficult for Desmond Bane. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is one of the better defenders in the league at chasing players around screens and disrupting them at the point of attack, which directly challenges how Bane prefers to generate his offense. It’s also difficult for Orlando to simply shift more of the playmaking load onto Jalen Suggs, as he’ll likely see a lot of Dyson Daniels, who thrives at creating turnovers and disrupting ball handlers.
Total PicksORL 243, ATL 162
CRS is #1 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (27-15-0) and +14150 units on the season.
Franciswarns is #10 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (32-13-1) and +8750 units on the season.
mjpalli is #2 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (24-15-1) and +12150 units on the season.
fadepublic14 is #3 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (28-15-1) and +11940 units on the season.
sandhog1 is #4 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (39-20-0) and +11700 units on the season.
Ed333 is #5 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (36-18-0) and +9850 units on the season.
Brayy_Wyatt is #6 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (30-22-0) and +9400 units on the season.
FAMCOLLECTOR is #7 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (32-23-0) and +9300 units on the season.
kowalabear is #9 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (27-16-0) and +8850 units on the season.