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Atlanta Hawks to face Magic again after tough loss

By John Buhler

Feb 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) tries to block the shot of Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (rear) who made the game winning basket with under a second to go in the game at Amway Center. The Magic won 96-94. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) tries to block the shot of Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (rear) who made the game winning basket with under a second to go in the game at Amway Center. The Magic won 96-94. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks will look to get revenge on the Orlando Magic Monday night on a back-to-back after a buzzer-beater loss at the Amway Center Sunday.

The Atlanta Hawks will get their last crack at the Orlando Magic Monday night when Atlanta hosts its division rival at Philips Arena for an 8:00 PM ET tipoff. The game will air on Fox Sports Southeast as well as NBA TV.

This is the second time in as many days that the Atlanta Hawks will play the Orlando Magic. On Super Bowl Sunday, Atlanta lost to the Magic on a Nikola Vucevic buzzer-beater in the final seconds. Atlanta will look to take a 3-1 season series victory over the Magic when they come to Philips Arena on Monday night.

The loss to the Magic ended the Atlanta Hawks’ three-game winning streak and dropped the club into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, as they are now a game back of the third place Boston Celtics. Atlanta still has its half game lead over the Miami Heat in the Southeast Division, as the Heat also lost on Super Bowl Sunday.

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Atlanta didn’t shoot the basketball all that well against the Magic on Sunday, as the Hawks were under 40.0% from the field. The bench combined to only give the Atlanta Hawks 12 points in yesterday’s loss in Orlando. Atlanta will again not have the services of backup center Tiago Splitter coming off the bench, as his hip injury will keep him out through the All-Star Break.

Fortunately for the Atlanta Hawks, that could stand as only a week more for Splitter’s absence, as Atlanta only has two more games on the slate before All-Star Weekend in Toronto: Tonight’s 8:00 PM ET tipoff at home versus the division rival Orlando Magic and a Wednesday night affair with the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, also an 8:00 PM ET tipoff.

Given that the Atlanta Hawks lost on another buzzer-beater on the road, one would have to believe that the offense will play a more concerted effort on Monday night, even on a back-to-back. Atlanta is playing great defense in the last few weeks to give the club a chance most nights with their top five squad on that end of the floor.

Next: Atlanta Hawks lose on Vucevic buzzer-beater, 96-94

Since this is the second game of a back-to-back with the same team, a division rival nonetheless, expect a physical, grind to occur at Philips Arena tonight. One team will struggle to get the ball through the hoop effectively. With this game being at home, the Atlanta Hawks should find a way to come out on top in this one to get their 31st win on the season. Let’s Go Hawks!

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