Magic's free-throw habit meets a Hawks team that rarely goes to the line

The Atlanta Hawks (46-36 last season) bring a fast, accurate offense to Orlando on Wednesday, October 21, where the Magic (45-37) lean on free throws to offset weak shooting. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM ET.

Orlando had the league's second-highest free-throw rate last season, 0.311, which countered an effective field goal percentage of 53.1 that ranked 25th. Atlanta's rate was 0.234, 27th, so the Hawks seldom reach the line themselves.

The other side of that trade favors Orlando too. The Magic allowed the 26th-best opponent free-throw rate, 0.285, and the Hawks play at the seventh-fastest pace, so a quick game can bring foul trouble for either side.

Atlanta forced turnovers on 13.2% of opponent possessions, sixth in the league. Orlando gave the ball away on 12% of its own, 13th. The Hawks' defense is not elite: it ranked 11th in defensive rating, one spot ahead of Orlando's 12th.

Jalen Johnson carries Atlanta with 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists a game. Dyson Daniels averaged two steals, a main source of those turnovers.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando at 22.2 points a game. Jalen Suggs added 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 57 games, and Nikola Vucevic took 8.4 rebounds.

Orlando is without guard Anthony Black, who averaged 29 minutes and is out until Friday, October 23. Jonathan Isaac is out until the same day. Noah Penda is out until Wednesday, November 18, and one more Magic player is also out.

Forwards Mouhamed Gueye (out until Friday, November 20) and Henri Veesaar (out until Thursday, July 1) are sidelined for Atlanta, both from the bench.

Both teams ended last season with first-round playoff losses, Atlanta to the New York Knicks and Orlando to the Detroit Pistons.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Magic a 57% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, puts Orlando at 64% with a margin of 4.5 points.