t’s a Southeast Division matchup on the hardwood as a pair of teams battling for the top spot in the division clash on the hardwood on a neutral floor in Mexico City. The Atlanta Hawks are the “road” team as they take on the Orlando Magic at the Mexico City Arena Thursday night. Atlanta was beaten 126-117 on the road by Oklahoma City in their previous contest Monday night, losing outright as a one-point favorite. Orlando was dropped 117-102 at home by Dallas in their previous game Monday night, failing to cover the line as a one-point underdog in their previous contest. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Hawks own a 69-62 advantage, including taking three of four meetings last season.

Atlanta Hawks Looking to Take Sole Possession of Top Spot in Southeast Division

Atlanta has been a streaky team this season as they opened the year with back-to-back losses, then won four straight games before getting dropped by the Thunder on the road Monday night. The Hawks entered Wednesday 4-3 on the season and were tied with the Magic for the top spot in the Southeast Division. Against Oklahoma City, Atlanta trailed by one after the opening quarter, by eight at the half and got no closer than four after that. The Hawks saw the deficit extend to 19 points after three quarters and got within five with 1:55 to play though they were unable to draw any closer. Atlanta shot 37.3% from the field, including 14 of 42 from three-point range, and turned the ball over 15 times to negate a 57-49 advantage on the boards. Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 29 points and six assists in the loss.

The Hawks enter this contest 3^rd in scoring offense by averaging 122 points per game. Atlanta is 3^rd in rebounding by collecting 48 boards a night while the team stands 6^th by dishing out 27.6 assists per contest. Atlanta is 22^nd in the league in scoring defense as they allow opponents to score 116.7 points per game this season. Trae Young is second on the team with 21.7 points and 10.4 assists per game this season. De’Andre Hunter chips in 14.6 points a game while Dejounte Murray pours in 22.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists a night. Clint Capela (10.7 points, 10.4 rebounds), AJ Griffin, Onyeka Okongwu (11 points, 7.3 boards), Saddiq Bey (12.1 points), Jalen Johnson (14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (12.4 points) are key rotation pieces for coach Quin Snyder. Atlanta is 15^th in the league in field goal percentage by hitting 47.2% of their shots from the floor this season. The Hawks are 19^th in threes per game as they hit 11.9 per contest and stand 20^th in three-point percentage as they hit 34.2% of their attempts from beyond the arc.

Orlando Magic Try to Regroup After Home Loss

Orlando was dropped by Dallas at home, bringing their two-game win streak to a halt Monday night in their previous contest. The Magic fell to 4-3 on the season and entered Wednesday tied with Atlanta for the top spot in the Southeast Division. Against Dallas, Orlando controlled the game for most of the first half before running out of gas. The Magic was up six after the opening quarter and by 13 at the half before things unraveled. Orlando was outscored 64-36 in the second half to wind up losing going away. The Magic shot 47.1% from the field, including eight of 27 from three-point range, and allowed Dallas to shoot an even 50% in the game. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 22 points, five rebounds and six assists in the loss.

The Magic enter this game 23^rd in the league in scoring offense as they average 108.6 points per game on the season. Orlando is 9^th in the league in rebounding with 45.4 rebounds per contest while they are 16^th in assists by dishing 25 dimes a night. The Magic are 3^rd in the league in scoring defense by allowing 105.4 points per contest. Paolo Banchero is second on the Magic as he averages 18.1 points plus 5.6 rebounds a night on the season. Cole Anthony contributes 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds plus 2.9 assists a game while Franz Wagner chips in 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 dimes a contest. Wendell Carter Jr. (9.4 points, 8.6 rebounds), Jalen Suggs (10 points, 3.1 assists) and Moritz Wagner (11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds) are solid contributors. Gary Harris (eight points), Markelle Fultz (11 points, 4.3 assists), Jonathan Isaac, Caleb Houstan, Joe Ingles, Chuma Okeke, Goga Bitadze and Anthony Black all have to contribute for the Magic. Orlando is 21^st in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 45.5% from the field on the year. The Magic is 27^th in the league in threes per game as they hit 9.9 triples a night while they are 27^th in three-point shooting by hitting 31.9% from beyond the arc.

Carter (hand) was injured November 2 against the Jazz and underwent surgery. He is likely out until late November. Fultz (knee) and Harris (groin) each missed the last two games while Isaac (hamstring) missed the game with Dallas. All three are considered questionable here so watch for updates on their respective statuses.