Atlanta and Orlando: Who's Headed to the Playoffs?

The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament is heating up with a crucial matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic. The winner of this game will secure the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and face the Boston Celtics next. The loser, however, isn't out just yet. They'll get another shot at the postseason by playing the winner of the Heat vs. Bulls game the following day for the No. 8 seed. The Magic have had a solid season, finishing with a 41-41 record, including a respectable 22-19 home record. The Hawks, on the other hand, ended the regular season with a 40-42 record, with a slightly weaker 19-22 record on the road. These two teams have faced each other four times this season, splitting the series evenly. Their most recent encounter was just a few days ago, with the Hawks securing a 117-105 victory. However, both teams rested key players in that game, so it's hard to say how much that result matters now. The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p. m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando. The Magic are currently favored by 5 points, with an over/under of 217 points. The Magic's defense has been a standout this season, ranking No. 1 in the league in points allowed per game. This could be a significant advantage against the Hawks, who have struggled defensively, ranking 26th in the league. However, the Hawks have a potent offense, ranking No. 5 in points scored per game. This sets up an interesting battle between the Magic's defense and the Hawks' offense. The Hawks will be relying heavily on Trae Young, who had another strong scoring season. He averaged 24. 2 points per game and led the league in assists. Young has been particularly hot in April, averaging 25. 9 points and 12 assists per game. The Magic, meanwhile, have their own offensive threats in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who have both increased their scoring this season. Banchero, in particular, has been a thorn in the Hawks' side, scoring over 30 points in each of their three matchups this season. The Magic's defense will be crucial in this game, but they'll need their offense to step up as well. The Hawks' offense is one of the best in the league, and they'll be looking to take advantage of any defensive lapses from the Magic. The Hawks have also had success in Orlando recently, winning or forcing overtime in three of their last four games there. This could give them a mental edge going into the game. The Hawks have gone 18-12 against the spread as a road underdog this season, while the Magic have gone 17-11 as a home favorite. This suggests that both teams have been able to exceed expectations in certain situations. However, the Magic's defense is a significant advantage, and they'll need to use it to their fullest potential if they want to secure the No. 7 seed.