Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic in Mexico City: 3 Best Bets

The Orlando Magic travel to Mexico City to "host" the Atlanta Hawks. With unique circumstances surrounding this game, we combined the three best bets.

The Orlando Magic takes on the Atlanta Hawks in what is technically a home game for Orlando, although it will be played closer to Atlanta. As the NBA looks to expand its international market, especially in Latin America, the game will be played at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.

The Magic started off hot this season, but have dropped to just above .500 and now sit at 4-3. The Hawks are also sitting at 4-3, mostly thanks to Dejounte Murray carrying the offense while Trae Young works on finding his shot.

Mexico City sits at an elevation of 7,349 feet, more than 2,000 feet above Denver. Patty Mills of the Hawks has played in Mexico City twice, and issued a warning to both teams. 

"The altitude is something they were not used to," Mills said. "Before filling their lungs they feel like they are out of breath and they are panting."

Paolo Banchero doesn’t seem worried. 

"I don’t think the altitude is a big problem, I think in practice, during the first 10-15 minutes it is a little hard, but once you put your feet on the ground and get used to it you are fine," Banchero said.

Anthony Black blocks Austin Reaves in his first career start / Mike Watters-USA Today Sports

With production perhaps being low due to a lack of oxygen and a loaded injury report featuring Kobe Bufkin, Wesley Matthews, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, and Gary Harris, the odds and best bets powered by SI Sportsbook are rather cautious.

The Lines

Point spread: Hawks -3.5 (-110)/Magic +3.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Hawks (-167)/Magic (+130)

Over/under: 231.5

Our picks

Defense pick: Trae Young UNDER 23.5 points (-133)

Trae Young is averaging 21.7 points per game this season, which is the lowest since his rookie season in 2019. He is shooting an abysmal 27 percent from deep, and the lack of oxygen at altitude tonight will make it harder for him to get open. Plus, he has to deal with Anthony Black as his primary defender, who has garnered praise for his defense already. In two starts, Black has held D’Angelo Russell and Luka Doncic to subpar (for Luka’s standards) scoring nights, and there’s no reason to think that he won’t give Young fits tonight.

Safe pick: Paolo Banchero OVER 6.5 rebounds (-152)

Banchero is averaging only six rebounds per game, but most of that is due to a slow start. Over the last three games, he’s averaged seven. Keeping in mind that the Hawks take the fourth-most shots but boast a field goal percentage that’s 12th in the league, Banchero will have plenty of chances to crash the boards. In addition to the Hawk’s misses, a general lack of energy due to international travel will contribute to missed shot totals.

No-fun pick: UNDER 231.5 total points (-110)

Five of Atlanta’s seven games have hit this mark. The Hawks boast the second-best scoring offense in the league. Conversely, Orlando is 24th in points per game and is yet to have a game hit this over. Keep in mind that travel is always a factor. This is a road game for both teams. Plus, both teams have to deal with altitude–which should not be understated as an obstacle–so expect a lot of misses, which means a lower-scoring game.

This is Orlando’s first game against an Eastern Conference opponent, and the Hawks and Magic are fighting to claim the Southeast Division in future years once the Heat wane, for whatever that’s worth. A division rivalry is in the works, and a neutral site means neither team gets an advantage.