Atlanta Hawks: Takeaways from tonight’s blow out loss against the Orlando Magic

A few takeaways from the Atlanta Hawks 113-149 blowout loss on the road against the Orlando Magic.

Tonight the Orlando Magic completed the series sweep against the Atlanta Hawks beating them all four times. Prior to the game, the Hawks reported that both Kevin Huerter and Kent Bazemore would be out for this game due to injury.

Obviously, the Atlanta Hawks will be at home during the postseason but the team came into tonight looking to play spoiler against the Orlando Magic, who moved into sixth place with tonight’s win.

Needless to say, this game started off ugly for Atlanta and ended even worse. Orlando ended the first quarter leading Atlanta 42-18.

As the season ends, and despite the Hawks record they continue to fight hard every game. Here are some takeaways from tonight’s loss against the Magic.

Orlando Magic Shooting

Shooting played a huge factor in tonight’s game as the Orlando Magic finished the game shooting 60.9 percent from the floor. Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic had monster games as they both scored 25 points.

Both Vucevic (69 percent) and Fournier (78 percent) shot relatively well from the floor making it hard for the Hawks to keep up with them. The Magic did a good job of shooting all together as a team.

All five starters for Orlando scored double digits in tonight’s win and the bench contributed with solid numbers as well. Orlando finished the game shooting a strong 48.6 percent from three compared to Atlanta’s 25.6 percent from three which is huge.

https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1114316536301477888

Dominance from the Big Man in Orlando

Vucevic dominated in tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks and proved to be too much for the Atlanta Hawks frontcourt. The Orlando big man finished the game with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.

The 7-foot center causes matchup nightmares for any team. Vucevic can beat you in multiple ways whether it’s on the block, facing up or driving past you. This season the center is averaging a double-double (20.7 points and 12 rebounds) which is impressive for a big man considering the style of today’s game.

In addition to averaging a double-double, the 28-year-old is a good passer and helps get his teammates involved. All of this combines to make him a major name the Hawks should look to add this offseason in free agency.

Tonight he helped the Magic capture and maintain the lead by dominating the glass and one-on-one matchups. Obviously, the fact that Huerter and Bazemore were out helped the Magic avoid double teams and having to have to deal with the Hawks length.

Hosting the Playoffs at the Magic Kingdom

Tonight’s blowout win against the Atlanta Hawks put the Orlando Magic in position to secure a playoff spot for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

After tonight, the Magic are in sixth place and can clinch a playoff spot by winning their last two games on the schedule. Although, Atlanta’s record may not show it the Hawks, who are led by Trae Young are a pretty solid basketball team.

Orlando can hang with any team in the league when they are shooting at a high level and defending. The Magic are a balanced team that will make noise in the playoffs and continue to build. Winning at home against the Hawks is a great way to push toward the postseason and get better as a team.

The Atlanta Hawks may have lost a tough one tonight, but they still have two more games to finish out the season strong.

Atlanta will suit up again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on the road.

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