Shorthanded squads meet when the Orlando Magic visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. Going by the latest news, stats, and injury reports, Atlanta is a considerable favorite. Both teams are missing a glut of key players and the NBA betting odds may lean heavily for the Hawks, but this could be a tricky one to navigate.
Orlando Magic (6-25) vs Atlanta Hawks (14-15)
Hawks Flying Low
Losing leading scorer Trae Young means Atlanta’s offense, ranked second in the league, may become mediocre. But now the Hawks are also without Clint Capela, their best interior defender, and Danilo Gallinari, a key player off the bench. And yet play host to Orlando with short odds.
This is a testament to the depth of the Hawks. Even with Young and Gallinari out, the Hawks will still have at least four players who are averaging double-digits in scoring every game. John Collins will lead the way with 17.2 points while Cam Reddish can step up as the team’s lead guard.
Some Cam Reddish highlights 🔥pic.twitter.com/eE1sVzYKsO
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 13, 2021
Atlanta has not been the same force they were last season. It is in a funk playing at home, having lost six straight. But it is 10-3 against teams below .500 and the rapidly sinking Magic could be what makes this team a worthwhile bet online.
No Magic in Disneyland, Folks
The best magic trick that Orlando can pull is to win the NBA Draft Lottery. The Magic appear headed for the best odds and have plummeted down the standings thanks in part to COVID-related absences.
The Magic have two wins in their last 16 games meaning. Had Brooklyn not had a worse COVID situation, the Magic would have found a way to lose that game, too.
Rookie sensation Franz Wagner has been terrific since putting up a goose egg against Milwaukee, averaging 17.5 points with a 468/368/822 shooting line. He’ll get as much usage as he can handle with 90 percent of the rotation out of the lineup.
Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Head to Head
| Orlando | Stat | Atlanta |
| 7-3 | Record | 7-3 |
| 3-6-1 | Point Spread | 6-3-1 |
| 5-5-0 | Over/Under | 5-5-0 |
| 111.70 | Average Score | 114.60 |
| 56.40 | Half Time | 56.40 |
Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Game Information
- Date: Wednesday
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena
- Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Betting Lines
| Orlando | Atlanta | |
| +240 | Moneyline | -290 |
| 25.72% | Implied Probability | 74.28% |
| +7
(-110) |
Point Spread | -7
(-110) |
| 208½
(-110o) |
Total | 208½
(-110u) |
Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction
The Hawks smashed the Magic just last week but that was with a full roster. Atlanta’s starting lineup all averaged a +16.8 plus-minus but the two most important pieces, Young and Capela, will be missing. Of course, the Magic are also without starters Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter and R.J. Hampton.
So this is almost a crapshoot with several players on the sidelines. Atlanta should still win as its remaining players would beat whoever the Magic push out. But we can’t trust the Hawks to cover seven points at home, not when they are just 7-7 against the spread as a favorite. Go with Orlando here.
Pick: Orlando Magic +7
Understandably, the online sports betting odds have the totals at a measly 208½ points here. But despite the B-team status of both squads, the defense here will be nonexistent. The players will have plenty to prove as they get a chance to rack up stats. This one will be a high-scoring, albeit sloppy, affair.
