Final Score Picks and Predictions For Wednesday's Hawks-Magic Showdown

Who is ready for another big game in the Eastern Conference playoff race?

The Atlanta Hawks, winners of 16 of their last 18 games, travel down South to face the Orlando Magic, who picked up a huge win last night at home against Phoenix. Orlando and Atlanta met a couple of weeks ago in what turned out to be a decisive home win against the Magic and Atlanta currently sits 2.5 games above the Magic in the standings. Not only that, but the Hawks have already won the season series.

In other words, this is a must win game for the Magic if they have any hope of getting out of the play-in tournament mix. They are treating it like a must win as well, with star forward Franz Wagner being upgraded to questionable today. Wagner has not played since February 11th, but it looks like he is going to come back tonight as Orlando tries to make a push for the playoffs.

So who wins tonight's game?

Prediction

Mar 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) controls the ball against the Boston Celtics in the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images | Mady Mertens-Imagn Images

There are two big questions tonight for this game.

First, will being on the second night of a back-to-back have any ill effect on the Magic tonight? Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Desmond Bane all played at least 37 minutes last night and the Magic are not really a deep team, especially with Anthony Black still out for this game.

Second, if Wagner does return, what kind of impact does he have and how do the Hawks guard him? In the last game (with Wagner out), Jalen Johnson got the Banchero assignment while Dyson Daniels guarded Jalen Suggs and Alexander-Walker guarded Desmond Bane. CJ McCollum is the Hawks weakest defender and if Wagner plays, he won't be able to hide on Tristan de Silva. That is something to watch.

The rotation for the Hawks was trimmed to nine last game and backup center Jock Landale is questionable for this game. It is safe to assume that Jonathan Kuminga, Zaccharie Risacher, and Gabe Vincent will be in the game for Atlanta and I would say Landale will be as well if he is available. If he is not, look for Mouhamed Gueye to see the court tonight.

The bench has been a big talking point for the Hawks, but they were terrific against the Celtics on Monday. Kuminga should be expected to help guard Banchero as he did in the last game and Risacher is coming off one of his best defensive games of the season.

The Hawks defense and +14 advantage on the glass were the two biggest reasons for their resounding win over Orlando before and I don't think that is going to change. Even if Wagner is back, these two teams seem to be trending in opposite directions. Hawks win and stretch their lead in the standings over Orlando to another game.

Final Score: Hawks 115, Magic 106