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Hawks Hit the Over 58.5% of Time at Home Last Season, Total Set at 218 vs. Magic

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball

Updated Apr 7, 2020 · 1:48 PM PDT

Trae Young flexing
Trae Young and the Hawks hit the over in 58.5% of their home games last season. Photo from @TheNBACentral (Twitter).
  • After demolishing Pistons, Hawks welcome Orlando Magic Saturday night
  • Magic opened their season with a win against the Cavaliers
  • Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

While there might not have been that many wins, there were a whole lotta buckets being scored in Atlanta a season ago.

Betting the over in Hawks games last year would have netted you a nice profit, as tilts at State Farm Arena passed the total score a sturdy 58.5% of the time.

As the Hawks prepare for their home opener Saturday night against the visiting Orlando Magic, is this a trend that will continue in 2020?

Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Over/Under
Orlando Magic -130 -2 (-105) Over 218.0 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks +110 +2 (-115) Under 218.0 (-110)

Odds taken 10/25/19.

As we break down the matchup below, be sure to check out all the information on the Magic vs Hawks odds.

Trae Young Taking the Reins

It’s still a head scratcher that the Hawks drafted, then traded Luka Doncic to the Mavericks for the rights to Trae Young (it’s actually still a shock that Doncic was not the first overall pick). Thankfully, Young wasn’t a bust and this can’t be tabbed one of the worst deals in NBA history.

The Hawks have got to be pleased with their man, who came a close second in the Rookie of the Year race to Doncic, while being selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

To start off year two, Young put in a virtuoso performance in the Detroit that is the embodiment of what Hawks brass envisioned when they committed to the slender guard. He poured in a game-high 38 points on 11-for-21 shooting from the field, while keeping his teammates well fed with nine assists and chipping in with seven rebounds. He was lethal from deep as well, going 6-for-10 from behind the arc.

With Young playing at this level, head coach Lloyd Pierce has the front man to consistently put pressure on the defense – and this was a team that was already averaging 113 points a game from a season ago.

Mixed in with lottery picks De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish, as well as athletic big man John Collins, the Hawks have the makings of something big for years to come.

Magic Doing it With Defense

Meanwhile, a franchise that has been going nowhere in what seems like forever, seems to have turned the corner doing the one thing that it always takes to be successful: defend.

The Orlando Magic finished last season on a tear, leading the league in defensive rating in the final 37 games of the year, which propelled them into the playoffs, where they even took a game from the eventual champion Toronto Raptors.

If their opener is any indicator, Orlando plans to put the clamps on the opposition again. The Magic shut down the Cavaliers 94-85, limiting them to 37.5% shooting from the field, and a paltry 26.5% from beyond the arc.

Offensively, they hope their secret weapon to add some ball-handling, scoring and passing in the crunch will come in the form of former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, who looked great in his season debut, scoring 12 points and dishing out six dimes. If he can stay healthy and realize his potential, the Magic will have their point guard of the future in the fold.

What’s the Best Bet?

It’s so early in the season, and these teams are fundamentally altered from a year ago, but looking at their most recent head-to-head tilts, there’s something about Atlanta that brings out the fireworks in these teams offensively.

In their first meeting Jan. 21, the Magic took the game 122-103, cruising past that 218 total, and the visiting team did it again on Feb. 10, taking care of business with a 124-108 win.

The Magic are a better team, with more continuity and an identity, so I expect them to pick up the win. But led by Young, the new-look Hawks should be able to put up points, with the over ruling in Atlanta yet again.

The Pick: Over 218 points (-110)

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