A new NBA season begins Wednesday night in Orlando, and it starts with two teams that already know how close the East can be. The Magic won 45 games last season and pushed top-seeded Detroit to seven games in the playoffs. The Hawks won 46, reached the sixth seed, and made the eventual champion Knicks work for six games. Now Paolo Banchero and Jalen Johnson step onto the floor at 7:00 p.m. EDT with a fresh 0-0 record and a big question hanging over the opening night lights: which young East contender is ready to climb first?

Banchero is the center of Orlando’s story. At 6-foot-10, he can bring the ball up the court like a guard, then use his size to get near the rim or find an open teammate. His 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists last season show why defenses have to watch every move he makes. Orlando wants him to make smart choices when defenders crowd him. If he stays patient, he can turn Atlanta’s pressure into open looks for Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane.

Bane is especially important in this matchup. He made 39.1 percent of his three-point shots last season, giving the Magic a sharp outside threat. When defenders rush toward Banchero, Bane can make them pay from the arc. Wagner adds another tall, smooth scorer who can drive through traffic and help run the offense. His ankle issue is listed as day-to-day for Wednesday, as is guard Anthony Black’s status. Orlando’s depth gets much stronger if both can play.

The Hawks arrive with their own giant playmaker. Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists last season, a rare blend that lets him grab a rebound and launch the next attack himself. He is like a fast-moving bridge between Atlanta’s defense and offense. Orlando’s big defenders, including Wendell Carter Jr., will need to build a wall near the basket without losing track of Johnson’s passing lanes.

Atlanta’s defense can make that job even tougher for the Magic. Dyson Daniels collected two steals per game last season by using his long arms and quick reads to knock passes loose. Nickeil Alexander-Walker brings outside shooting and strong guard defense, while Onyeka Okongwu gives the Hawks a quick, powerful rim protector. Atlanta also averaged 30.1 assists last season, showing that its offense often moves from player to player instead of stopping in one set of hands.

This opener may swing on the battle for loose balls and clean possessions. Both clubs averaged 43 rebounds last season, so neither should expect easy second chances. The Magic have the home floor, size, and a sturdy defense. Yet Atlanta shot better from deep, forced more steals, and showed a slightly stronger point difference across last season. If Johnson controls the pace while Daniels disrupts Orlando’s guards, the Hawks should escape Orlando with the opening-night win.

Paolo Banchero and Jalen Johnson Open a New East Race in Orlando