Key Points
- SJ breaks down her favorite Play-In Tournament bets featuring the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic!
It's official! The NBA regular season has ended, and the Play-In Tournament is here! The Hawks and Magic are set to face off in the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament!
There's a highly awaited matchup in the Eastern Conference between the
No. 8 Atlanta Hawks
(40-42, 19-22 away) and the No. 7 Orlando Magic (41-41, 22-19 home).
Both teams have been dealt crushing injuries in a must-win or go-home scenario. The Magic were once a top seed in the Eastern Conference until stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner suffered substantial injuries. Now, Orlando will be without Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner, who are both out for the season.
Led by Trae Young, the Hawks will have to make do without Clint Capela, Larry Nance Jr., and Jalen Johnson.
With the series split 2-2 in the regular season, the Orlando Magic are -5.5 favorites, AND they have a home matchup! Aside from that, the Magic finished out the regular season strong, winning five of their last six games.
With a 4-1 record down the stretch, the Hawks faced Orlando in two of those. However, Atlanta opted to sit most of its starters in the season finale against the Magic. Undoubtedly, the Hawks will be hurting with the departure of De'Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson.
The Atlanta Hawks should be on the NBA's Play-In Tournament billboard, considering they've been a play-in team since the 2021-2022 season. Last year they fell to the Chicago Bulls in a single elimination matchup. Can they upset the Magic tonight? Bounced out of the first round playoffs last year, the Magic will look to make some noise.
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Odds Are Current As Of April 15 AT 10 A.M. ET
If you're looking to bet on the Play-In Tournament, welcome! I have you covered for the Eastern Conference! Up nearly 10 units betting on the NBA in April, you know the deal! Let's stay hot! I will always recommended betting responsibly, especially given the playoffs are full of twists and turns!
Here are my favorite betting picks and predictions for the April 15 NBA Play-In Tournament matchup featuring the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic!
NBA Play-In Tournament Bets: Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic Bet MGM Betting Odds For April 15
MONEYLINE
- ATLANTA HAWKS: +180
- ORLANDO MAGIC: -220
SPREAD
- ATLANTA HAWKS: -5.5 (-110)
- ORLANDO MAGIC: +5.5 (-110)
OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)
- OVER: 218.5 (-115)
- UNDER: 218.5 (-105)
Regular NBA Season H2H Matchups: Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic
- February 10, 2025: Hawks 112, Magic 105
- February 20, 2025: Magic 114, Hawks 108
- April 8, 2025: Magic 119, Hawks 112
- April 13, 2025: Hawks 117, Magic 105
Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic Injury Report
HAWKS
- Kobe Bufkin, Guard, OUT
- Clint Capela, C: OUT
- Jalen Johnson, F: OUT
- Larry Lance Jr., F: OUT
- Trae Young, Guard, Questionable
MAGIC
- Jalen Suggs, Guard: OUT
- Mo Wagner, C: OUT
Player Prop Best Bet #1: Trae Young
Trae Young 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 24.2 | FG: 41.1 % | FT: 87.5 % | 3PT : 34 % | REB: 3.1 | AST: 11.6 | STL: 1.2 | BLK: 0.2
- Over 36.5 Points + Assists (-114 FanDuel)
My first bet bet of tonight, I placed one unit on Atlanta Hawks star
Trae Young
to record over 36.5 points and assists agains the Magic.
- It's a do or die situation for the Hawks, and there's no one I trust more than Trae Young. With a career play-in average of nearly 27 points and 8.7 assists per game, tonight is his toughest task yet.
Recording 22 points and 10 assists against Chicago last year, it was a classic No. 9 vs No. 10 shootout. Aside from that, how can we forget Young's 25-point, 7-assist performance to win the Play-In Tournament against the Miami Heat a season earlier.
Yes, I'm aware the Orlando Magic are known for the defensive prowess. No. 2 in defensive rating (109.1), the Magic allow an NBA best 105.5 opponent points per game. That's been with various injuries and Jalen Suggs out for the season.
Don't let that fool you, the Magic have some holes defensively. Allowing the the eight highest 3-point percentage in the NBA (36.5 %), Orlando's biggest weakness defensively is in the front court. Giving up the eight most points to guards, this is where Trae Young comes in.
No.1 in the NBA with 11.6 assists per game, Young put up a respectable 24.2 PPG. Probable for tonight's game, I 100 percent expect Young to suit up. Plus, he's been on a heater over the last 10 games.
- In that span, he's averaging 25.4 points, with a 38.6 3-point percentage. Plus, he's averaging 12.8 dimes!
Can Trae Young Lead The Atlanta Hawks Into The Playoffs?
Although the Hawks won't play in Atlanta, Young put up fairly decent numbers on the road, averaging 24.9 points and 11.9 assists (36.8 points + assists).
By far the Hawks leader in points and assists, aforementioned, the loss of Hunter and Johnson hurts. Sure, the Hawks have some bucket getters in Caris LeVert, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher. However, Rishacher is a rookie, and Daniels is a defensive standout. If the Hawks want to move on, Young will have to be the main x-factor.
Having led the NBA with 20.7 potential assists per game, Young finished out the season with four straight games with 10+ dimes. If you do that math, that's an average of 12 assists per game.
- Averaging well over 25 points in April, Young scored 25+ points in four of the last seven games.
Since the NBA All-Star break, Young's numbers have been remarkable. Averaging 25.3 points and 11.7 assists. Plus, he averaged 28.3 points and 8.0 assists (36.3) in three games against Orlando.
In their last matchup, Young exploded for 28 points and 10 dimes. Mind you, that was a very much a game that mattered for seeding purposes on both sides.
- Soaring over this play prop line in the last two matchups, Young averaged a combined 33 points and assists over their last two outings.
Final NBA Play-In Tournament Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Trae Young Over 36.5 Points + Assists (-114 FanDuel).
Overall, Trae Young has been a pro in the Play-In Tournament, and I'm not sure if anyone has more appearances them him. Shooting over 38 percent from deep over the last 10 games, there's no player I trust more than Young to get it done tonight.
- Even against a stingy defense, I'll take Trae Young to record over 36.5 points and assists. A high volume shooter, Young is one of the most pristine facilitators in the NBA.
Player Prop Best Bet #2: Paolo Banchero
Paolo Banchero 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 25.2 | FG: 45.2 % | FT: 72.7 % | 3PT : 32 % | REB: 7.5 | AST: 4.8 | STL: 0.8| BLK: 0.6
- To record a double-double (+110 FanDuel)
My second best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Magic star
Paolo Banchero
to record a double-double against the Atlanta Hawks.
Even suffering through injuries, Banchero has taken his game to new heights. Averaging career-highs in several areas, he averaged 25.9 points and 7.5 rebounds on the season.
From a points perspective I'm not worried. Banchero has scored 10+ points in nearly 30 straight games, and in three matchups against Atlanta. In fact, the former Duke star recorded an impeccable 33.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in three games vs the Hawks.
- Exploding for 33 points and 10 rebounds vs the Hawks this week, there's one reason I love this player prop line.
With Mo Wagner out for the season, the Magic are thin at the front court. With that has come increased opportunities on the boards for Banchero.
- In fact, notching 10+ rebounds in in three of the last four games, he grabbed a career-high 18 rebound against the Wizards on Thursday.
Paolo Banchero Is Playing The Best Basketball Of His Career
You would never know Banchero is 6 foot 10 given he moves smooth like a guard. Although I never wish injury on anyone, Banchero has benefited in Wagner's absence.
- Averaging 10.5 rebounds in the last four without him, there's a strong chance for Banchero to record a double-double at plus money (+110 odds).
There are other odds in his favor, since the Hawks have injuries to Capela, Johnson, and Nance Jr. in the front court. I'm not quite calling Banchero a double-double machine, especially recording only 11 double-doubles on the season.
- With increased injuries, seven of those came since mid-march. In fact, Banchero has recorded a double-double in three of the last four games.
If there's any player I'm betting on, it's Banchero. Such a versatile player, he's been one of the hottest players post NBA-All Star break. No. 4 in points per game (29.0), the forward is averaging 6.7 rebounds per game. Since Wagner went down in late December, Banchero's averaged 7.3 rebounds since.
Final NBA Play-In Tournament Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Paolo Banchero To Record A Double-Double (+110 FanDuel)
Overall, this a prime matchup for Banchero, who faces an ailing Hawks team. Not known for their defense, they give up the most points to power forwards, and 10th most rebounds. I truly don't know how this player prop line is plus money, Banchero is playing some of the best basketball of his career.
- With the season on the line, I'll take Paolo Banchero to record a double-double tonight.
Player Prop Best Bet #3: Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony 2024-2025 Season Stats
PPG: 9.4 | FG: 42.4 % | FT: 82.3 % | 3PT : 35.3 % | REB: 3.0 | AST: 2.9 | STL: 0.7 | BLK: 0.5
- Over 5.5 Points (-128 FanDuel)
My third best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Magic guard
Cole Anthony
to record over 5.5 points vs the Hawks.
It's been a tumultuous season for Anthony, who's coming off just two points in 13 minutes against the Hawks. While the rotation tends to shrink during playoff time, here's why I love this player prop line.
There's no way Cole Anthony will get lost in the rotation with Jalen Suggs out for the season. With Cory Joseph and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leading the helm in the front court, Anthony's volatility scares me a bit.
- Ranging anywhere from 1-18 points, Anthony is averaged 16.5 minutes this month.
Anthony is capable of taking over games, especially on both sides of the ball. Recording a season high 35 points against the Celtics is no easy feat. He also recorded 1, 17, and 7 points against Atlanta this year. I've truly never seen a player with such highs and lows, however, 5.5 points is a bit low, especially for a must-win game.
If his decreased minutes are in preparation for the playoffs, I'm all for it. Even so, Anthony is still crushing it from the 3-point line, shooting 39.1 percent beyond the arc this month. Averaging the lowest-minutes of his career this season (18.5), it's truly difficult to tell what the rotation will look like tonight.
- However, Anthony has soared over 5.5 points in four of the last seven games.
Final NBA Play-In Tournament Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Cole Anthony Over 5.5 Points (-128 FanDuel)
In fact, the Magic guard has scored 6+ points in eight of the last 11 games. It's truly up to Jamahl Mosley and his rotation. Plus, Anthony has drastically improved his 3-point shot, shooting 40 percent from deep in March and April. If the shot volume is there, I'm riding this all day long.
- I'll take Cole Anthony to record over 5.5 points tonight. He has a decent matchup against the Hawks, who allow the most points to guards in the NBA. If gives me comfort he's totaled this prop line in 15 of the last 20 games. In that span, he's averaged 12.3 points.
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