Hawks vs. Magic Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 19 (Magic Give Hawks a Scare at State Farm Arena)

Hawks vs. Magic Game Info

• Date: Monday, December 19, 2022
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: State Farm Arena -- Atlanta, Georgia
• Coverage: BSSE and BSFL

The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Monday with nine more games, including a battle between the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks. The Magic rank 13th in the Eastern Conference with an 11-20 record, while the Hawks check in eighth with a 15-15 record. These teams last met on Wednesday, with the Magic winning 135-124.

Orlando took down the Boston Celtics, 95-92, on Sunday to earn what was an exciting sixth straight victory. Meanwhile, Atlanta defeated the Charlotte Hornets by a score of 125-106 on Friday to get back to a .500 record on the year. Which Eastern Conference playoff hopeful will prevail on Monday?

Hawks vs. Magic Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: ATL: (-335) | ORL: (+270)
• Spread: ATL: -8 (-110) | ORL: +8 (-110)
• Total: 230.5 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Hawks enter this contest as clear home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 7:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 230.5 points, which is above average compared to the rest of Monday's projected totals.

Hawks vs. Magic Betting Trends

• The Hawks are 11-16-0 against the spread this season.
• This year, the Magic have an against-the-spread record of 10-5-2 in their 17 games as an underdog of 7.5 points or more.
• This season, Hawks games have hit the over 16 times out of 29 chances.
• Magic games this year have hit the over on 13 of 29 set point totals (44.8%).
• In home games, Atlanta sports a worse record against the spread (5-8-0) compared to its ATS record on the road (6-8-0).
• Against the spread, Orlando has performed better at home (11-4-0) than on the road (5-7-2).

Hawks vs. Magic Prediction & Pick

These teams have already met three times this season. The Hawks emerged victorious in the first two matchups, but it was the Magic that earned the win during the most recent meeting. Eight different Orlando players scored in double-digits as it defeated Atlanta by a score of 135-124 on Wednesday.

While the Magic have ripped off six wins in a row, they still rank outside the top 20 NBA teams in statistical categories such as points per game (108.9), turnovers per game (16.4) and defensive efficiency. The Hawks rank among the top 15 teams in each of those areas, giving them a clear edge.

Orlando is just 3-15 straight up in its last 18 away games, so I'll back Atlanta at State Farm Arena.

Final Score Prediction: Hawks: 118 | Magic: 115

Hawks vs. Magic Best Bet

I trust the Hawks to pull this game out in the end, but I don't trust them to cover an 8-point spread. Atlanta is just 2-5 against the spread (ATS) in its last seven games overall and 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games against an Eastern Conference foe. It's a team that tends to play down to the opponent.

Orlando is 7-0 ATS in its last seven games and is seeing its young players step up into bigger roles. Rookie Paolo Banchero has tallied at least 20 points in each of his last seven games and the Magic roster nine players averaging over 10.0 points per game. That depth will keep the score close here.

Bet: Orlando Magic +8 (-110)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.