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Atlanta Hawks host Orlando Magic on MLK Day

By John Buhler

Dec 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives around Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson (44) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives around Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson (44) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks will face their Southeast Divisional rival in the Orlando Magic on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Philips Arena for a 5:00 PM tipoff.

The Atlanta Hawks are going to play their Southeast Divisional rival in the Orlando Magic on Monday afternoon, which is also Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta will look to continue its winning ways when the improved Magic come to town. Tipoff is at 5:00 PM ET and the game will air on Fox Sports Southeast. It will also air on NBA TV.

Atlanta (24-17) is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference after their convincing win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night, 114-86. The Hawks are a game ahead of the Miami Heat for the lead in the Southeast Division. The Atlanta Hawks have played .500 ball in their last 10 games (5-5).

Orlando (20-19) is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, a game back of the Boston Celtics for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Magic aren’t a team that is going to lose over 50 games again in 2015-16. They are likely go to battle into the final week for a potential playoff spot. Orlando is 3-7 in its last 10 games.

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Atlanta beat Orlando in their only meeting so far this season, a nail-biter down at the Amway Center in Central Florida, defeating the Magic 103-100 on December 20th. In this rivalry series, it typically does not matter the disparagement between seasonal records, as these games between the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic almost always go down to the wire. Expect Monday afternoon’s contest to act no differently.

This season, the Atlanta Hawks have played with more pace than last year (ninth in the NBA, 96.7), but that has had its effects on the offensive and defensive end. While the Atlanta Hawks are still a top 10 offensive team, their overall team rating has slipped to ninth (106.0) from sixth in 2014-15. Atlanta has in turn fallen out of the top 10 defensively to 13th with a defensive rating of 103.8.

Orlando is playing at a slower than league average pace (23rd in the NBA, 94.0) and it has had a better effect for them on the defensive end. The Magic are seventh in the NBA in opponents points per game at 98.8 and are 12th in defensive rating at 103.7. The quicker the Orlando Magic develop continuity defensively, the harder it will stand to beat this ascending team in the Eastern Conference.

Next: Tiago Splitter: A difference maker off the Atlanta bench

Should the Atlanta Hawks defeat the Orlando Magic on Monday evening, they will have a terrific opportunity to possibly move up in the Eastern Conference, as they are only percentage points behind the third place Chicago Bulls. Here’s to getting the victory No. 25 on the season in Atlanta. Let’s Go Hawks!

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