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The Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic will face off tomorrow night in a high-stakes Play-in Tournament battle at the Kia Center in Orlando. This marks the first postseason meeting between these two teams in over a decade. With a chance to advance to the final Play-In round, both squads will play with urgency and intensity.
Let’s break down the matchup by recapping each team’s regular season and giving our game pick.
The Orlando Magic underachieved this season, finishing with the 7th-best record in the Eastern Conference. They dealt with multiple injuries to their young core. However, Orlando has still been the second-best defensive team in the NBA. Paolo Banchero leads them, averaging 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. His ability to create his own shot and operate as a secondary playmaker has made him the face of this resurgent Magic squad.
Also, don’t sleep on Franz Wagner, who took a massive step this season in his game. Franz averaged a career-high of 24.1 points per game. Plus, what makes them great on the defensive end is that Wendell Carter Jr. is quietly a stabilizing force in the paint, and Jonathan Isaac’s return has provided elite-level defense off the bench. They do miss Jalen Suggs, who has missed significant time due to an injury.
Orlando’s offense can get stagnant at times, especially in the half-court. That could be a problem against a Hawks team that thrives in transition and loves to speed up the game. But could Orlando’s star power be too much for Atlanta? We will surely find out.
The Atlanta Hawks head into the NBA Play-In Tournament as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference after an up-and-down season. Despite a losing record, the team showed flashes of potential late in the year and has the offensive firepower to make noise in this win-or-go-home setting.
Trae Young once again led the way for Atlanta, averaging 24.2 points and 11.6 assists per game. His court vision and long-range shooting remain elite, and his ability to control the tempo makes the Hawks a dangerous team in any high-pressure matchup. The offense runs through him, and in a one-game scenario, Young’s shot-making and creativity will be the biggest key to Atlanta’s success.
A major storyline this season has been the development of rookie Zaccharie Risacher. The French wing has impressed in his first NBA season with his length, shooting touch and defensive instincts. His emergence has given the Hawks a much-needed two-way presence on the wing and a potential star in the making.
Plus, the Hawks’ adding Dyson Daniels this season seems to be a match made in heaven next to Trae Young. His perimeter defense will be crucial against Orlando’s versatile forwards. One major blow for Atlanta was losing Jalen Johnson for the season due to a shoulder injury. Before going down, Johnson was arguably Atlanta’s most improved player, contributing 18.9 points and 10.0 rebounds a night. His absence leaves a gap in the frontcourt that the Hawks must fill by committee.
This game feels like it will come down to which star player can take over when it matters most. The Magic have the edge on defense and home-court advantage, while the Hawks have the more explosive offensive duo in Trae Young and the newly integrated pieces.
This NBA Play-In matchup is a fascinating contrast in styles: Atlanta brings the offensive firepower and tempo, while Orlando counters with size, defensive toughness and two young stars built for big moments.
Our game pick focuses on Orlando’s Paolo Banchero. The Duke product has become the go-to guy in clutch moments. He’s not just scoring — he’s creating, initiating offense and drawing double teams. In a high-pressure setting like this, expect the Magic to run their half-court sets through Paolo and let him go to work.
Banchero’s physicality and skill set make him the perfect weapon in a game where possessions will slow down and every bucket matters. Expect him to get to the line frequently, score in the mid-post and knock down a couple of big shots late. We’re picking him to rise to the moment and lead Orlando in scoring.
Dylan has had a love for sports since he was a kid. Four years ago, he decided to dive into the sports content-creating industry specializing in Fantasy Football, NFL and NBA. He has since had his work published on sites that include Fantasy Alarm, Fansided, and Fantasy Six Pack.