Off-Day Open Thread: How Will the Orlando Magic Fare against the Atlanta Hawks in Games 3 and 4?
by Evan Dunlap on May 7, 2010 1:00 PM EDT
in Off-Day Open Thread
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The Orlando Magic hold a 2-0 series lead against the Atlanta Hawks, but must be wary of a letdown when the series shifts to Atlanta tomorrow night. The Hawks placed in a 4-way tie for the league's second-best home record, and are simply much more comfortable playing at Philips Arena. And while the Magic have, as I've repeated ad nauseum of late, mastered the Hawks over the last two seasons, the games in Atlanta have always been much closer than the ones in Orlando. Orlando is 3-1 in its last 4 games at Philips Arena, with the lone loss the oft-discussed game which ended with Josh Smith dunking in a missed Joe Johnson jumper at the buzzer.
But in each of the last 3 games, the Hawks squandered double-digit leads; in the first one, Orlando escaped after nearly frittering away a 21-point, third-quarter lead. If anything's clear, it's that neither Atlanta nor Orlando is really safe when they meet at Philips.
Bearing those facts in mind, consider the following question: what do you expect to transpire this Saturday and Monday, when the Hawks and Magic take the court for Games 3 and 4?
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Mindset
The Hawks just don’t seem to have the mindset or belief in the vision that they can win a NBA Championship this year, or any year right now. With that kind of let down what are they really playing for in the playoffs? To make it interesting? To be an underdog?
They just don’t have “it” this season, and I don’t expect them to really challenge a team that looks like it does have ’it" more so than other playoff team this post season.
Boom-shocka-locka!!!
And the saddest part is
they have, at the center (no pun indended) of their team, a proven champion caliber die hard player in Al Horford who wants nothing more than to continue his campionship ways. I hope one day down the road he plays for Orlando. Or at least Chicago, so I can see him and Noah on the same court at the same time together again.
I think it's going to be a split...
It’s hard to see the Hawks lose 4 consecutive games… but hey, if the Magic play Magic basketball and force the Hawks to iso and shoot long balls (Dwight must stay on the floor for this to happen) then anything’s possible.
Probably a split.
I think if Dwight gets in foul trouble and the Hawks can play like they played last night they will win at least one of those games. But the Magic were really gritty during the Charlotte away games, so I think the Magic will have to shoot themselves in the foot for Atlanta to have a chance.
The intensity has to go up, up! Not down...UP! -Stan Van Gundy
VC with back-to-back
20 pt games. I think he steps up if D12 goes out in foul trouble.
FEED THE BEAST!!!
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Vince paces himself at the beginning of the game... passes the ball to Dwight almost everytime
Which is the right thing to do. Inside-out basketball is winning basketball. Vince becomes more active later in the game, until then he keeps the energy.
I agree
It is very smart. Someone has to play their role and VC is doing that very well. He does a great job picking his spots.
FEED THE BEAST!!!
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As much of a pessimist as I am
I am going for the sweep. It will really depend on game 3 though, if the Magic give them a punch to the mouth and Howard can avoid foul trouble, then it is probably over. That being said, Atlanta has a very good team and it would not surprise me if they won both either. It would piss me off because it would mean the Magic let up off the throttle, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
Until the Magic prove it otherwise, I just have to believe they are not going to lose any games in the playoffs
They are zoned in and ultra-intense on their ultimate goal.
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
Someone has to show me that they can beat the Magic in these playoffs
The Magic players attitude is so good, I think the believe they should not lose.
"There are two ways to argue with a woman, and neither of them work."; Carlos Boozer
I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll
The only way to stop LeBron is Smith and Wesson, but even that's a double team.
by NC Magic Fan on May 7, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Orlando as a team is playing to their potential. They have several weapons and different times in the playoffs the weapons have made big plays.
FEED THE BEAST!!!
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I like the "until they prove it otherwise" attitude
and I really enjoy the fact that Magic play team basketball with each player understanding when they should step their game up.
Everyone in the team seems “down to earth” even with all the victories.
By the way I would love to see a game of Magic starters vs Orlando bench, that’s how good this team is.
Time to get that finger bling-bling
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Maybe that's the only way Adonal would get to play
I'm also a dude!
"I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, and wear Reebok." - Shaq
Pragmatically, as it happened in the regular season, the Magic will have one of "those days" where nothing comes together
And perhaps the Hawks will take advantage of it.
Or not, the team could just be in full blown playoff mode that they’re machines eagerly seeking sweeps.
But I voted for option 2 anyway.
i don’t buy that pragmatism and practicality should overtake insane competitive arrogance that defies the deficiencies of the body and lesser spirits. magic will it, then magic win it, because they match up too sick, because atlanta has no fan support, and because my brother got row BB center court seats for 225 a ticket to cheer for the magic long after tickets went on sale because that arena cant sell out worth a damn.
i was at game 1 of this and lost my voice for 2 days afterwards. i got all these people around my yelling defense LOL, every time atlanta touched the ball, at like 23 ticks, i was yelling defense, pissed some people off, and also jeered a guy wearing a horford jersey to the point where he got up and put the magic shirt on and left (although the score had to have played a large ass part as well)
by thomaswhigham on May 8, 2010 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions
OT : west side
If the Suns are able to steal game 3 in San Antonio, I don’t see why the Magic won’t do as much in ATL.
I don’t believe the Suns can get passed LA in the WCF but if they complete a sweep of the Spurs (which I hope) they will have great momentum going to the next series. It would be great to have a “team” finals in ORL vs PHX. Then, hopefully all that ONE vs ONE mentality whill be turned down a notch.
Time to get that finger bling-bling
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
In my mind that would be the best finals matchup. Suns are a fun team to watch.
Although if we make it there, I would love to have another shot at the Lakers.
I'm also a dude!
"I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, and wear Reebok." - Shaq
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