Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks (Nov. 15, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction

The Orlando Magic hit the road to take on the Atlanta Hawks and star point guard Trae Young coming off a big win.

Orlando Magic (3-10) at Atlanta Hawks (5-9)

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-HAWKS ON FUBO TV
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Line via WynnBet: Hawks by 10
Tickets: $10-$273 on StubHub
2021 Season Series: Hawks 115, Magic 112 in Orlando on March 3; Hawks 112, Magic 96 in Atlanta on April 20; Hawks 116, Magic 93 in Atlanta on May 13
2022 Season Series: Tonight in Atlanta; Dec. 15 in Orlando; Dec. 22 in Atlanta; Feb. 16 in Orlando

OMD Prediction

The Orlando Magic did not get the results they certainly hoped for on the homestand. The 1-4 run at home had some encouraging moments, but still a lot of bad ones — namely, long scoring droughts against difficult switching defenses. Now the Magic will have to pick up their attention to detail on the road and find a way to get the ball in the basket.

The Magic’s defense has played well when the offense has some flow to it. They want the defense to lead and so it will have to lead a bit here for the Magic. Especially going up against such a dangerous player as Trae Young. Cole Anthony especially struggled against him last year.

Orlando will have to defend the 3-point line and limit its own mistakes. And, yes, make some shots. The Atlanta Hawks had a big win at home last night against the Milwaukee Bucks. Their confidence should be high.

3 Keys To Watch

Eyes on Cole

Last week, it felt like nobody could stop Cole Anthony. He was a nominee for the Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 24.5 points per game while shooting 45.2-percent from the floor and 40.5-percent from beyond the arc. Everyone was fawning over his shot-making ability. Even with everyone acknowledging his shooting was bound to come back to earth, they were buying his stock.

This past week was a rough one for the sophomore guard. Anthony averaged 16.0 points per game but made just 28.6-percent of his shots (8 for 28) and 21.5-percent of his 3-pointers (3 for 14) in two games last week. Teams are definitely putting him higher on their scouting reports and everyone is catching up.

Anthony was the first to admit after Saturday’s loss that the team’s offensive struggles are on him. He was not getting the ball up the floor fast enough and his turnovers were a big impediment to the team’s offense. The Magic have gone well when Anthony is playing with rhythm and pace. And he is a key to the team’s success.

Trae heating up

The NBA world was buzzing Sunday with Trae Young’s 42-point, 10-assist, eight-rebound performance to down the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday at State Farm Arena. Young, despite his adjustments to losing his free-throw attempts, is still scoring a ton of points. Young has back-to-back 30-point games (he scored in Friday’s loss at Denver) and has scored at least 25 points in five straight games.

He also has four or more turnovers in each of those games. That remains his biggest weakness. Orlando though is not good at forcing turnovers despite their length and their push to make “bell plays.” Orlando will have to do a good job defensively on Young and force mistakes.

That was not what they did last year. Young averaged 25.0 points per game and 7.3 assists per game last year. Anthony notably struggled with the All-Star guard. That was, of course, rookie Anthony and not this one.

The Suggs question

Of course, one tool the Orlando Magic might want to use on Trae Young is Jalen Suggs. Suggs has already proven himself to be a solid defender and the Magic have let him run wild and be a pest on that end. Suggs’ defense is what is keeping him on the floor as he struggles to find his shot.

Suggs though sprained his ankle late in Saturday’s loss to the Washington Wizards. He is listed as QUESTIONABLE on the team’s injury report (as of 12:30 p.m.). Jamahl Mosley said after the team’s shootaround that Jalen Suggs went through the team’s shootaround and the team will continue to monitor him. It seems like there is a decent chance Suggs will play.

Whether that makes him healthy enough to chase around Young is another question. And whether that helps him pick his spots better and (finally) knock down shots is another fair question to ask.

Without Jalen Suggs, the Magic would likely start Gary Harris and probably open up more playing time for R.J. Hampton.