{"id":693310,"date":"2026-04-02T05:17:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T05:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/693310\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T05:17:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T05:17:54","slug":"mosley-jeered-as-hawks-embarrass-magic-on-home-floor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/693310\/","title":{"rendered":"Mosley jeered as Hawks embarrass Magic on home floor"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Orlando Magic have been one of the league’s best on the second night of a back-to-back. However, that was not the case against the Atlanta Hawks, losing 130-101 after a tulmutuous second quarter. <\/p>\n

What were a few of our takeaways?! Let’s dive into it!<\/p>\n

It was one of those nights from Orlando from deep:\"Magic<\/p>\n

Mar 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) on the court against the Boston Celtics in the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images | Mady Mertens-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Orlando entered the night with the league’s fifth-worst 3-point percentage. And that percentage — 34.4 percent for the season — did not improve against Atlanta.<\/p>\n

While the Magic’s inefficiency from 3-point range wasn’t the primary reason it lost, you can’t miss 23 of your first 25 3-pointers and expect to keep it competitive, especially against a Hawks team that’s lit the nylon on fire post-All-Star break. <\/p>\n

The Magic ultimately finished a dismal 6-of-32 from 3-point range, but finished a minus-27 from distance. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with a game-high 32 points on 11-of-16 shooting and 5-of-9 from 3-point range. <\/p>\n

Magic defense regresses back to (recent) mean:\"Magic<\/p>\n

Apr 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) shoots the ball over Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Orlando Magic’s defense has been catastrophically bad the last two weeks, surrendering 128.6 points per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning The Glass. They were better against Philadelphia, but 24 hours later, regressed back to the mean.<\/p>\n

For one quarter, the Magic looked on a string and was playing some defensive intensity. However, they completely lost focus in the second quarter, and the Hawks took complete advantage.<\/p>\n

Atlanta scored 105 points on 57.8 percent shooting and 44.0 percent shooting (11-25) from beyond the arc. Atlanta looked superior in every aspect — especially from an effort perspective.<\/p>\n

Welcome back, Franz Wagner:\"Magic<\/p>\n

Apr 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Franz Wagner, who missed 22 straight and 47 of the team’s last 51 games, returned from injury. The star forward logged 20 minutes, scoring 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting with two assists.<\/p>\n

It didn’t ultimately matter, but it was very encouraging to see him back on the court. He’ll have less than two weeks to get acclimated before the play-in.<\/p>\n

Are we trending toward the 9-10 play-in?:\"Magic<\/p>\n

Apr 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Speaking of the play-in: The Magic are all but certainly bound for the play-in.<\/p>\n

At the time of publication, they’re still the No. 8 seed, where they’re tied with the Charlotte Hornets with a 0.5 game lead over the Miami Heat. <\/p>\n

Charlotte’s easily been the best of the three recently, but do have the league’s second-hardest schedule the rest of the way; Miami has the seventh-easiest while the Magic have the 15th-easiest.<\/p>\n

All in all, the Magic have essentially mirrored the Heat over the last month. That’s a fitting play-in matchup, regardless of the circumstances.<\/p>\n

“Fire (Jamahl) Mosley” chants break out:<\/p>\n

Those chants broke out<\/a> inside Kia Center tonight. Yikes!<\/p>\n

\u201cFire Mosley\u201d chants have broken out.<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Sixth Man Show (@SixthManShow) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

And I can guarantee you that fans weren’t collectively saying it as an April Fool’s joke, either.<\/p>\n

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