Magic/Hawks preview

The Magic (46-25, 23-12 road), after FRI night's impressive win against PHI, take on ATL (29-39, 20-13 home) tonight in what looms as a very important game for the Hawks, as they are just 1/2 game ahead of NJ for the eighth and final playoff seed in the East. ATL is coming off a 125-117 loss at NJ WED night.

The Magic will be trying to win their franchise-record 24th away game of the season.

The probable starting lineup for ATL:

G... Mike Bibby (13.0 ppg, 5.8 asts)
G... Joe Johnson (21.4 ppg, 5.5 asts)
F... Marvin Williams (15.1 ppg, 5.7 rebs)
F... Josh Smith (17.3 ppg, 8.2 rebs)
C... Al Horford (9.8 ppg, 9.8 rebs)

Top reserves: Josh Childress (11.7 ppg); Salim Stoudamire (5.4 ppg); Zaza Pachulia (4.9 ppg); Acie Law (4.5 ppg)

ATL averages 96.8 ppg while allowing 99.1 ppg; ORL averages 104.9 ppg and allows 99.8 ppg.

ATL has beaten the Magic five games in a row in ATL, and Johnson has averaged 31 ppg in his last four games against the Magic. The two teams split two games in ORL earlier this season. The Magic are a slight 1 pt favorite (www.pinnaclesports.com).