Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Predictions April 15th 2025

Magic vs. Hawks: Southeast Rivals Clash in East Play-In

The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks aren’t just battling for playoff positioning—they’re putting their seasons on the line in Tuesday’s Eastern Conference play-in game. The winner grabs the No. 7 seed and earns the right to face the defending champion Boston Celtics in the first round.

The two teams finished first and second in the Southeast Division, separated by just a single game. They split the season series 2-2, and now this tiebreaker decides who gets the early playoff spot—and who plays again on Friday.

Orlando’s Momentum: Banchero Ignites the Magic

After a rocky start to the year—due to a fractured ankle that kept him out 34 games—Paolo Banchero is surging at the right time. Since March 19, he’s been one of the league’s top scorers, averaging 28.2 points on 47.6% shooting over the final 12 games.

The Magic went 9-3 during that stretch, clawing their way to a .500 finish. With Franz Wagner finally healthy too, this duo gives Orlando the firepower it needs to make real playoff noise.

Want to see how Orlando stacks up league-wide? Check out the NBA Team Page.

First Taste of Play-In Pressure

This is Orlando’s first appearance in the play-in tournament, while 21 of the NBA’s 30 teams have already been there. But that doesn’t faze veteran Jonathan Isaac, who’s loving how this squad is clicking late in the season.

“We’re playing great basketball at the right time,” he said. “We’re ready to take care of the Hawks Tuesday at home.”

For a full betting breakdown on this game, visit the NBA Picks Page.

Atlanta’s Experience: Hawks Are Play-In Pros

This is Atlanta’s fourth straight season in the play-in mix, and they’ve already proven they can battle through. They advanced to the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023 and are tied for the most play-in wins (3) in NBA history—alongside the Lakers and Pelicans.

Their resume gives them a cushion: even if they lose on Tuesday, they get one more shot Friday against the winner of Bulls vs. Heat.

Need a full perspective on Atlanta’s postseason outlook? Check out the NBA Expert Betting Guide.

Trae Young Stays Ice Cold

Trae Young is no stranger to big moments, and he’s been red-hot lately. He dropped 30.0 points and 11.5 assists across Atlanta’s final two road wins—clutch performances that helped them edge out the Bulls for the 8-seed.

While the Hawks are known for their offense, Young’s more focused on adjusting to Orlando’s gritty defensive style. “They’re one of the best, if not the best, defensive team in the league,” he said.

Looking for conference-wide comparisons? Tap into the NBA Eastern Conference Predictions.

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Season Series Recap: Dead Even and Now It’s for Real

The Magic and Hawks split their season series, with each team winning once on the road and once at home. Their latest two matchups came just last week:

• Tuesday: Orlando won 119-112 behind Banchero’s 33-point night
• Sunday: Atlanta responded with a 117-105 win

In all four games, both teams scored 105+ points, suggesting fireworks—but expect a tighter, more physical game this time around with playoff implications.

Explore divisional matchups and insights at the NBA Southeast Division Blog.

What’s Next?

Whoever wins Tuesday’s showdown will face the Celtics in Round 1. The loser isn’t out—but they’ll have to suit up again Friday night to face the Bulls-Heat winner for the No. 8 seed.

With two evenly matched teams and so much on the line, this might be the best game of the play-in round.

For odds on who could go deep this postseason, don’t miss the full NBA Championship Odds.