Magic 81 - 98 Hawks
Final
  for this game

Magic-Hawks Preview

Jan 18, 2016 - 4:36 AM Before the new year, the Orlando Magic were challenging the Atlanta Hawks for the Southeast Division lead.

They have lost ground to Atlanta so far in 2016 and won't have Victor Oladipo for Monday's visit to the Hawks.

Orlando (20-19) was one game behind the Hawks on Dec. 31 after winning seven of nine but now trails by three games following six losses in seven contests. The Magic rallied in the final minute of regulation to force overtime Thursday in London against Toronto but fell 106-103.

"We've definitely got to find solutions," said guard Evan Fournier, who had 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting. "It's unacceptable."

Oladipo scored a season-high 27 points but injured his right knee while taking a charge from Raptors center Bismack Biyombo in the fourth quarter. He was averaging 20.4 points and shooting 53.7 percent - including 18 of 27 from 3-point range - in five games since returning to the starting lineup.

"It's part of the game. I'm day by day right now," Oladipo said. "We're just basing it on how my body responds to the treatment. I'm taking it one day at a time."

While Oladipo is out, the Magic are expected to get point guard Elfrid Payton back in the starting lineup. He played 20-plus minutes Thursday after missing four games because of a bruised left ankle.

"If you're in the NBA then you can play. It's the next man up. That's been our whole approach," assistant coach Adrian Griffin said. "Every guy on our team is a professional and works very hard. In 82 games, (injuries) are going to happen, and you're going to get your shot. I always tell my guys to stay ready."

While short-handed, Orlando will seek to send Atlanta (24-17) to just its second loss in eight home games. A 114-86 rout of visiting Brooklyn on Saturday allowed the Hawks to avoid a third consecutive overall defeat.

Paul Millsap led the way with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting and is averaging 21.3 while connecting at 56.8 percent in his last three games.

"It was great, the way we moved the basketball, the way we played defense," Millsap said. "The test is how do we respond Monday."

Millsap was held to 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting in the first matchup with Orlando this season but had 13 rebounds. Kyle Korver had 13 of his team-best 19 points in the fourth quarter in a 103-100 win, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 44 seconds left.

The Hawks, who lead Miami by one game in the Southeast, are seeking a fourth consecutive win over Orlando and 11th in the last 12 home meetings, including the postseason.

Atlanta won both matchups at Philips Arena last season but only by a combined 13 points. Millsap totaled 43 points in the two games.

Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Orlando in the loss in December, his sixth consecutive double-double versus the Hawks. He's averaged 13.0 rebounds while shooting 60.5 percent during that run.

Fournier is averaging 18.0 points and shooting 55.6 percent in his last three matchups against Atlanta.






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