National Basketball Association

Magic Wands: Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:08 a.m. ET

Fansided, Philip Rossman-Reich/FanSided via Orlando Magic Daily

OrlandoMagic20-32

Time/TV: 7 p.m./FSFlorida
Line: Hawks by 7.5
Tickets: $23-$431 on SeatGeek
Season Series: Magic 131, Hawks 120 in Atlanta on Dec. 13; Hawks 111, Magic 92 in Orlando on Jan. 4; Tonight in Atlanta; Feb. 25 in Orlando

	Pace	Off. Rtg.	Def. Rtg.	eFG%	O.Reb.%	TO%	FTR
Orlando	98.1	101.0	106.8	49.2	21.6	13.3	23.9
Atlanta	99.9	102.7	103.1	50.7	23.7	15.3	27.5

1) The Orlando Magic’s defense keyed them to a victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday. The Magic spoke loudly to close the game out.

2) The Orlando Magic got back to basics as their defense returned to a December form.

3) Aaron Gordon is excited for his second opportunity to win the Dunk Contest, he tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.

4) Alex Hampl of The Crossover writes the Orlando Magic are one of the biggest clown shows in the NBA. Hard to argue with how disastrous this season has become.

5) Tim Hardaway Jr.’s development has been key to the Atlanta Hawks resurgence, Kris Willis of Peachtree Hoops writes.

6) Dylan Hughes of 16 Wins a Ring digs into drafts of the past and discovers just how hard it is to draft a star. A top-five pick is no guarantee.

7) An increase in player benefits is going to drive the salary cap down for 2017 and 2018 from initial projections, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders writes.

8) Matt Moore of CBS Sports writes this year’s trade deadline could end up being all bluster.

9) This NBA season is breaking all conventions and giving a new sense of style, Danny Chau of The Ringer writes.

10) The NBA is facing something of an identity crisis — or strengthening — as the most diverse and socially conscious league in the United States, facing down a White House administration seemingly at odds with their beliefs. Andrew Sharp of Sports Illustrated discusses watching the NBA in the Trump presidency.

11) Nile Goodwyn of Soaring Down South looks back at Gary Neal’s time as an Atlanta Hawk.

12) Anthony Brown completed his 10-day contract and returned to the D-League, but he did make an impression in his time with the Orlando Magic.