Game Preview: Magic v Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks take on the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Saturday evening.
The Hawks (32-25) imposed some tough love on starting point guard Dennis
Schroder Friday after he did not report back to the team on time following the
All-Star break. Schroder was suspended for the home matchup against the Miami
Heat, which helped lead to a frustrating 108-90 defeat for Atlanta. Paul Millsap
led the way with 21 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Tim
Hardaway, Jr. tallied 11 points, two rebounds and one block. Kent Bazemore
contributed 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Malcolm
Delaney underwhelmed in his spot start for Schroder, totaling five points, four
assists, three rebounds and one steal. Dwight Howard produced four points, seven
boards, one steal and one block in a disappointing performance. Newly-acquired
Ersan Ilyasova led the bench with nine points. Altanta will check in to
Saturday’s contest with no injuries of note. The Magic (21-38) also dropped
their first game after the All-Star break, dropping a 112-103 decision to the
Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday evening. Nikola Vucevic led the way for the
Magic with 25 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block. Evan Fournier
contributed 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Terrence Ross,
drawing his first start in an Orlando uniform, tallied 13 points, five rebounds,
one assist and three steals. Aaron Gordon went for a near double-double,
providing nine points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Mario Hezonja
spearheaded the bench with 10 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal.
Orlando counts C.J. Watson as its one notable injury heading into Saturday, as
he’ll be listed as questionable at best with his Achilles ailment. Saturday’s
game will mark the last of four meetings between the teams this season. The
Hawks prevailed in the most recent pair of games by respective 111-92 and 113-86
scores, while Orlando took the first contest of the season by a 131-120 margin
back on Dec. 13.