The Magic have played one game in the last eight days, travelling across the pond to get beaten by the Raptors on Thursday. They should be well rested and the jet lag subsided as they try to close the gap in the Southeast Division and even the season series with Atlanta.
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TRAVEL
A trip to London for a matchup with Toronto on Thursday was the only game the Magic had in eight days prior to their contest with Atlanta. While there is plenty of time to rest, a five-hour flight across the pond and with several days off between games can be disruptive for a team that regularly plays three games in a week during the season.
The Hawks finish off a stretch where they play four games in six nights by hosting the Magic on Monday in the second of a four-game season series. It’s been a roller coaster of a season for Atlanta as the first half winds down, but the Hawks remain at the top of the Southeast Division standings and in a top four spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks are well off their pace from last season, but such comparisons are unfair. The 2014-15 campaign was truly an aberration for this group. Yes, they’re good, but as we saw in the playoffs last year, not THAT good. Atlanta is wildly inconsistent this season and a home win over a close pursuer in the division would be a boost before the club heads out on a four-game Western Conference swing. The Hawks will play six of seven on the road to close out January following their tussle with Orlando.
INJURIES
After missing four games due to an ankle injury, point guard Elfrid Payton returned to the lineup when the Magic played Toronto in London on Thursday. Forward Aaron Gordon sprained his ankle in practice ahead of the Toronto game, but was able to play. There is time to recover with Orlando’s game in Toronto their only one in an eight-day span.
A minor wrist injury kept Hawks’ forward Thabo Sefolosha out of a game last week. He is expected to be available for Monday’s game.
KEY MATCHUP
The best center in the Eastern Conference very few have heard about resides in Orlando. Outside of Magic fans and League Pass obsessives, few have noticed what Nikola Vucevic is accomplishing. Consistently Orlando’s best player, the should-be All-Star is averaging better than 17 points and eight rebounds per game while dishing out nearly three assists per contest. Arguably the league’s best offensive center, Vucevic can shoot from just about anywhere on the floor up to 20 feet. His footwork is impeccable and he always makes good decisions with his shots. As evidenced by his assist numbers, Vucevic is passing out of the post more than last season, when he never saw a shot he didn’t like. He looks for the open man but still has the ability to be a scorer on his own. The Hawks lack a true center in their lineup and Vucevic can exploit that down low or dishing to a teammate when the defense sags.
ODDS AND PREDICTION
Orlando has been a pleasant surprise this season and is actually in contention for a bottom spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They have a potent lineup led by Victor Oladipo and Vucevic, but there isn’t much depth and the squad is very young while trying to learn how to win under new coach Scott Skiles. Atlanta looks to find some consistency in its game while fending off the Heat and Magic for the top spot in the Southeast. The Hawks have a better mix of talent in the starting unit and a bench that coach Mike Budenholzer uses liberally. This is an important game for the Hawks before heading out on a Western Conference road trip and it’s a chance to put down the slumping upstart Magic.
Atlanta 98, Orlando 93
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Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks square off on Monday, January 18, 2016, at 5 p.m. ET at Philips Arena. You can watch the game live on NBA TV.
