Sun Apr 13 16:10:00 UTC 2025: **Hawks Favored to Edge Out Magic in Low-Scoring Play-In Tune-Up**

ATLANTA, GA – The Atlanta Hawks are favored to defeat the Orlando Magic in a pre-Play-In matchup on Sunday, despite the Magic having won their last two meetings. Sports analyst Phil Naessens predicts a close, low-scoring game with the Hawks’ reserves proving decisive.

The absence of key Magic players Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who exploited Atlanta’s lack of rim protection in previous games, is a significant factor in Naessens’ prediction. He anticipates the Hawks, potentially resting some starters including possibly Trae Young, will still have enough depth to secure a victory.

Naessens’ best bet is the Hawks -1, also predicting an under on the Hawks team total (115.5) and the game total (220.5). He highlights the Magic’s defensive capabilities as key to keeping the score low, even against a healthy Hawks team which averages just over 117 points per game.

While acknowledging the game’s lack of playoff implications for standings, Naessens emphasizes its value for the Hawks in building momentum ahead of their crucial Play-In game against Orlando on Tuesday. A win would split the season series and provide a psychological boost for Atlanta. The Magic, meanwhile, will need to rely heavily on their defense given their offensive limitations without Banchero and Wagner.

Read More