The Orlando Magic are set to take on the Atlanta Hawks in what promises to be an exciting matchup on neutral ground in Mexico City. The Magic, who showed great promise last season but fell short of the playoffs, have continued their strong performance this season. However, the Hawks have started the season with notable wins and look determined to make a statement.

Last season, the Magic were one of the top teams against the spread, consistently outperforming expectations. This impressive trend has carried over to this season, with the Magic boasting a 5-2 record against the spread. However, it's worth noting that their success has been aided by a relatively soft schedule. According to Dunks and Threes, the Magic have faced the fifth-easiest schedule in the league through their first seven games.

In contrast, the Hawks have had a much stronger start to the season compared to the previous campaign. They have already secured notable victories over tough opponents such as the Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, and Wizards. Although they started the season with two losses against the Hornets and Knicks, the Hawks have quickly turned things around, notching a 4-1 straight-up record and a 3-2 record against the spread.

With the Magic missing the presence of Wendell Carter Jr. in their front-court, the Hawks will look to exploit their advantage in size. Ranked fifth in Rim Rate at 37.2%, the Hawks have proven to be a strong force near the basket. In Carter Jr.'s absence, the Magic have struggled to defend against opponents, allowing them to shoot an alarming 68.9% at the cup, as reported by Cleaning the Glass.

Although this game is technically a home game for the Magic, being held in Mexico City creates an even playing field. With the odds favoring the Hawks, many bettors have started backing the Atlanta team. The current line stands at Hawks -3, and some even predict that it could reach -4.5 by game time.

Sports betting enthusiasts in Florida have an exciting opportunity to wager on the Magic vs Hawks matchup through Hard Rock Bet. Sign up today to take advantage of their initial deposit match offer, which grants up to $1,000 without requiring a Hard Rock Sportsbook promo code.

As the Magic look to continue their upward trajectory and the Hawks aim to solidify their resurgence, all eyes will be on Mexico City as these two teams compete for a valuable victory.