Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks (8:00 pm ET, TNT)
The Atlanta Hawks need to score in this match pitted against the Orlando Magic (8:00 pm ET, TNT) on Monday, at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, to keep their series’ hopes alive. The Magic have 59-23 home, 25-16 away record and Hawks have 53-29 away, 34-7 home record.
In their quest to become one of the NBA‘s elite teams, the Atlanta Hawks have run into a major roadblock after five straight years of steady progress. From ending this season just as they did the last one, the Hawks are one loss away because of a disheartening performance against the Orlando Magic. Should this team bring back coach Mike Woodson for another season is a question that is working in everyone’s minds. Woodson helped the team improve from 13 wins in 2004-05 to 53 victories this season.
“At the end of the day, this team is still headed in the right direction, if we can bring Joe back and hopefully I’m able to stay, we can complete the process we started six years ago. If we can add a couple of more pieces, good pieces, then anything can happen. I sure hope they don’t go back the other way and bust it up” Woodson said Sunday.
Going up 3-0 in the series with a 105-75 blowout Saturday, Orlando has won by an average of 29 points. Al Horford, was befuddled by the lack of passion shown by Hawks, especially playing on its home court.
Key players for Hawks are Jamal Crawford, Josh Smith, Johnson and Horford. They are big, individual talents and have been good for the Hawks other than this series.
Oddsmakers from various NBA betting websites have given Orlando a betting line of -800 to win this series while Atlanta has been given a +500 line.
