NBA 2022/23, on Tuesday, 20.12.2022
It may be hard to believe, but the Orlando Magic are one of the most successful teams of the past NBA week – and I don’t expect the wave of success to abate just yet.
The Floridians are guests of a team they already defeated just a few days ago. The Hawks Magic odds from the sports betting providers also give me every reason to put my money on Orlando again.
The Magic’s much-cited “surprise win” over the Celtics last weekend was far from surprising – especially since I warned about the possibility of the underdog’s success in one of our previous NBA picks.
The Floridians have certainly not spoiled their fans in recent years, but they are currently in better shape than they have been for a long time. Together with the success in the doubleheader over Boston, it is now six “wins” that the franchise has been able to string together.
What makes the triumph over the C’s all the more amazing is that the Green and Whites by no means gave up their superstars and still ended up losing to Orlando at TD Garden by 117-109 and 95-92 respectively.
Generally, the Wagner brothers give me the impression of being the two pillars in the Magic’s game. Moritz Wagner was the best scorer of his team in the first game against Boston with 25 points, the centre hit nine of his twelve throws from the field and secured eight rebounds.
His brother Franz Wagner scored 19 points and grabbed four rebounds. The Magic dominated in rebounds with 53:38 and pulled away in the 3rd quarter to a difference of up to 19 points.
By the way, this victory over Boston realised a “monster odds” of about 7.50 on the markets. The fact that the bookmakers seem to underestimate Orlando also tonight makes my upcoming betting decision all the easier.
The Hawks were also caught up in the Floridian basketball wave currently sweeping the country just last Thursday. Thus, the recent 124-135 defeat is still deep in the minds of the red and white.
Consequently, there is no reason for me not to bet on the momentum on the side of the home side in view of the current Magic Hawks odds – especially when I consider what happened on the court in the last duel.
Because the usually so strong Trae Young, against whom hardly any NBA team can find an antidote, was relatively successfully taken out of the game by the Wagner brothers with only 19 points, while the duo themselves came up with 41 points and some valuable rebounds (8).
Now the personnel situation for the Floridians is a bit tense, because besides the absences of Harris, Isaac, Okeke, Suggs also that of Carter hurts, but the opponent is currently riding anything but a metre-high wave of success.
In fact, the playing rhythm of the usually strong Hawks seems to have snapped. While I still think the Georgia franchise is a play-off contender, this December does not bode well.
Atlanta has only won two of its last seven NBA games, one of which came in overtime against the Bills.
The fact that the Magic won only the second of their last eleven NBA games against their upcoming opponent last Thursday does not deter me, but actually encourages my betting decision.
After all, these Floridians are currently more present and dominant at the basket than at any time in their recent history.
Consequently, I interpret this recent success over Atlanta more as a “turnaround” in the head-to-head comparison of two franchises that are now not that far apart in quality.
I don’t really understand the underdog role of the Floridians, as it is currently classified on the betting markets, in this form.
A look at the latest Hawks Magic odds makes it clear that the visitors are not really expected to win again at odds of 3.40.
Summary: Although the current wave of success of the guests will not last forever, I would still expect them to win tonight.
The Hawks are in a bit of a funk at the moment, having suffered a deserved defeat at the hands of the Floridians just a few days ago.
If Orlando can again take Trae Young out of the game as effectively as they did last weekend, I expect another triumph – especially since the betting odds practically invite such a tip.
My Hawks Magic tip: The visitors win!
