Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic: Lineups, preview & prediction 2/8/18


(Photo credit: Keith Allison)

Orlando (17-36) are looking for their first three-game winning streak since October 21 to 27 as part of a 4-1 start before things went all sideways. The Magic stormed past the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers 116-98 on Tuesday night, holding them to nine fourth-quarter points and 31 in the second half as they rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit.

Jonathon Simmons shook off a sprained ankle to score a career-high 34 points, including 22 in the third quarter when Orlando outscored Cleveland 41-22. Twelve of them came in a 19-2 tear that gave the Magic a 78-77 lead, and Orlando used a 19-1 burst in the fourth to take control of the game.

Atlanta (17-37) have yet to win three consecutive games this season but put themselves in position to do so after overwhelming Memphis 108-82 on Tuesday night. Dennis Schroder scored 22 points and rookie John Collins added 15 and ten rebounds off the bench for the Hawks, who received 56 points from their reserves while posting their second-largest margin of victory this season.

Backup guard Marco Belinelli did not play as the Hawks have been actively trying to move him before the trade deadline. There have been reports both the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are interested in Belinelli, who has averaged 11.4 points while shooting 37.2 percent from 3-point range on the season.

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