Atlanta Hawks 89, Orlando Magic 87 (OT)
by Evan Dunlap on Feb 10, 2012 10:35 PM EST
in 2011/2012 Recaps
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PrintThe Orlando Magic dropped their record in overtime games to 0-3 on the season Friday night, falling to the Atlanta Hawks, 89-87, at home in an ugly rematch of the 2011 NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Josh Smith, one day after learning he did not make the Eastern Conference All-Stars, stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, 19 rebounds, and five assists for the visitors, while Joe Johnson scored two key baskets in the extra frame to propel Atlanta to victory. Ryan Anderson posted a team-high 21 points for Orlando, while Dwight Howard added 18 points and 18 boards.
It might be easy to point to the heave Marvin Williams nailed from just inside midcourt to end the first half as the difference in Friday's game--a miracle three helps Atlanta pull off a two-point overtime win--but that simply wouldn't be fair to the Hawks, who executed a sound defensive game plan to near-perfection. For much of the game's first three quarters, the Hawks succeeded in limiting Howard's effectiveness and Orlando's ability to shoot the three-pointer. Through 36 minutes, Howard shot 6-of-12 for 14 points against single-coverage from Zaza Pachulia, while the Magic managed to hoist only 16 triples, making six. Containing Howard on the interior and running the Magic's perimeter players off the arc proved effective for the Hawks.
None of this analysis is particularly insightful or fresh, given the fact that Atlanta implemented it in that aforementioned playoff series. What's different now, if only slightly, is the makeup of the Magic's roster. On a night when Orlando needed overtime to crack the 80-point barrier, scoring machine Von Wafer did not earn any playing time. Curious.
| Team | Pace | Efficiency | eFG% | FT Rate | OReb% | TO Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawks | 94.4 | 94.3 | 47.6% | 13.4 | 12.5 | 14.8 |
| Magic | 94.4 | 92.2 | 47.6% | 9.6 | 21.3 | 18.0 |
| Green denotes a stat better than the team's season average; red denotes a stat worse than the team's season average. | ||||||
Orlando had its chances to win this game, but blew them, and that's where dwelling on Williams' deep three becomes problematical. Orlando left six points at the foul line and committed 17 turnovers for 20 Atlanta points, for example. With 11.6 seconds to play in overtime and a chance to tie the game at 88, Jason Richardson missed the second of two free throws, forcing Orlando to play the foul game. Though Pachulia only went 1-of-2 at the line as well, the Magic also squandered two chances on that possession to intentionally foul Smith, a 54 percent free-throw shooter.
Worse, Hedo Turkoglu continued his beyond-erratic play, as the Turkish forward who proved key to Orlando's 10-3 start committed some costly errors in Friday's loss. He showed signs of life in overtime, scoring Orlando's first five points in the extra frame with a decisively launched three and an aggressive drive to the rim. But he also lost his dribble out of bounds and committed an over-and-back violation on a pass Smith deflected for two of his game-high six turnovers.
The Magic can hang their headbands--or Quentin Richardson's, anyway--on the stout defense they played for the final 3:43 of regulation. Following a Smith slam that put Atlanta up seven points, Orlando yielded just one point the rest of the way. But 3:43 of brilliant defense isn't nearly enough for a team that fancies itself a championship contender.
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What is wrong with Hedo?!
I swear he was just throwing the ball to no one every time he touched it.
The refs seemed very lenient to anyone guarding Dwight, I thought he was off, but also he was getting slapped around and deserved more calls.
Anderson needs to learn to be an all star. The guy has the tools, he just has to want it more. He defers a lot. I wold rather have seen him shoot 7 more times and Nelson 7 less.
Stan either is making a strong message to punish his bench or he is not coaching this team well. I cannot understand why Clark and Wafer did not play. Were they unavailable? The lack of decent play and tired legs from the bench should have allowed those guys some PT, I have to assume there is something I am missing.
I am made of bits of real panther so you know I'm good.
I cant understand why Glen Davis is playing
the guy is awful for us
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 10, 2012 11:29 PM EST up reply actions
Because Glen can play defense and also make a jumpshot?
"If Dwight spent more time practicing and less time b!tching, then maybe he’d be playing a little better." -My Mom
by BigMac12111 on Feb 11, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The first yes, the second is questionable right now.
"...sometimes your eyes lie to you..." ~SVG | I'm on Twitter
by magicfaninTN on Feb 11, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
He can make a jumpshot. He just needs to not take the ones where he has to create them
"If Dwight spent more time practicing and less time b!tching, then maybe he’d be playing a little better." -My Mom
Orton I wouldn't play unless the game is out of question. Clark can defend some players, but he can't buy a shot. Liggins doesn't seem ready to play.
Smith can’t play PF….and Harper hasn’t shown that he can play NBA-level defense from what I’ve seen yet. He can hit the three though. I’d pick Glen over any of them, frankly.
"If Dwight spent more time practicing and less time b!tching, then maybe he’d be playing a little better." -My Mom
by BigMac12111 on Feb 11, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
SVG still doesn’t have faith in his bench players.
by CBMagic85 on Feb 11, 2012 10:30 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Ugly game, ugly loss.
I give credit to the Hawks for coming up with a way to put Magic to sleep, cause that is what they manage to do. In the small parts of the game where Orlando play their style, the difference between the two teams was enormous. I didn’t get why Ryan didn’t touch more the ball at the end of regulation and in the OT, even whith Jameer going on. And as many others, I didn’t get why in a game where the team was desperate for some energy, Stan elected not to play von Wafer at all. Again, little ball movement, no pace, many TOs and Hedo being Hedo.
Well, it was a crazy day all around in the NBA with Boston losing to Toronto, CP3 hitting a huge shot to win it in Philly, OT in Clevelant and Jeremy Lin destroying the Lakers. All this doesn’t not explain though how can the Magic beat Miami and lose to the Hawks by playing awful basketball.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Why did they allow Jameer to pick up Johnson on a switch 2 possessions in a row in the OT? Where was the double team???
It’s great to know what our starting SG is shooting 59% at the line.
"Generally, when I draw the play, it's just who's going where. Maybe I have not made it clear enough that we would like the ball to go in the basket."
by AB's triple double on Feb 10, 2012 11:28 PM EST reply actions
He never gets to the line so it doesnt really matter
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 10, 2012 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
I guess that wasn't J-Rich bricking a free throw at the end of the game then.
"Generally, when I draw the play, it's just who's going where. Maybe I have not made it clear enough that we would like the ball to go in the basket."
by AB's triple double on Feb 11, 2012 12:28 AM EST up reply actions
JRich was on fire early in the game
And was consistent for most of the game I don’t see why he didn’t get the ball more
Me Against The World And I'm Winning
by Andeezy on Feb 10, 2012 11:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
happens every game
they dont ever give him the rock after his first break even though he starts out the first quarter with 9 points plus
by Magical-OverHauL on Feb 11, 2012 8:29 AM EST up reply actions
Luck is still with the hawks
I really think Hedo shouldn’t play for 30+ minutes a game because he just seems off
But QRich kills us.
So the answer would be we need to play JRich and Wafer more at the SF with Redick at the 2.
"...sometimes your eyes lie to you..." ~SVG | I'm on Twitter
by magicfaninTN on Feb 11, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
We need to get
Our younger guys in the game. Hedo and Jrich are old and out of shape they cant handle this schedule. When are we gonna get our young energetic guys in the game!!! Von wafer, Ish smith,DeAndre Liggins,Ryan anderson. this is why we are losing. Van gundy continues to play our older guys. Other teams understand and are going young while the magic continue to play the same guys. So they have 1 good game or a good quarter, they need benched/traded.I think Van gundy isn’t going to do anything until the Dwight trade, but he better after.
Very uneven game.
I mean, at the end of the game, the statlines for our starters looked good (outside of Hedo and Dwight’s combined 11 turnovers and Jameer missing 13 shots). But besides the last 3 minutes of regulation, it didn’t feel like we could get multiple guys going at once. Dwight didn’t get good enough position against Zaza Pachulia, and also got beat in transition by Pachulia at least three times over the course of the game. Our defensive switching and rotations also seemed to be off for much of the game, leaving wide-open jumpers (thank God Jamal Crawford isn’t on the Hawks anymore). Ryan can’t be left to guard someone with Josh Smith’s athleticism one on one; he was eaten alive.
Good news: J-Rich has had 5 games in a row now where he’s been solid all-around. He’s played some inspired (for him, at least) defense at times too. Jameer’s been more engaged since he came back also, albeit I would’ve liked to see him finish a few more of the contested lay-ups and open jumpers he missed. Ryan was productive when he had the chances, which the Hawks rightly limited until the 4th quarter.
My big number? 9. As in 9 bench points. Total. Von Wafer should’ve definitely seen some burn here. I would like to hear Stan’s statement as to why the dude isn’t getting more of an opportunity, especially when our second unit was struggling to create any kind of offense tonight.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
They need to come to the
Realization that we are not going anywhere with the team we have now and start rebuilding with young talented players. After the all star game hopefully we can make some moves.
That's a bit harsh...
We’ve won 4 of our last 6 games, with the only losses being in OT against playoff teams. We beat down Miami and also beat Indiana on the road in the past week. Don’t be so fickle.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
by slickw143 on Feb 11, 2012 1:49 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It doesnt matter
If we make the play-offs we wont make it out of the first round, we just don’t have a good enough team. we lost to the hawks last year and we were a better team. Howard is going to leave no question.
Well
We didn’t really beat down miami. We were just on fire from downtown( great win nonetheless) and the pacers are a team we should beat easily. We’ve only beat one quality eastern team so far. This team needs something good and fast.
Indiana's 17-9, and they have some quality wins on their resume already.
We did beat down Miami. There was a double-digit margin for most of the game, Dwight was dominant inside, we used ball movement to get wide-open threes (which are great shots), and we used suffocating D to really limit the Heat outside of the 2nd quarter. The only two losses we have lately have been tough, come-from-behind OT losses against playoff teams. Give me a game where we have open shots from Hedo, J-Rich, and Jameer for a chance to win every day of the week.
And of course the team needs something to be a real contender. But again, who are you giving up to get something in return? And don’t say something like, “Hey, let’s trade pieces I hate for pieces on another team I love, because, y’know, maybe they’ll love these pieces that I hate!” This is the team we have, and will probably have for the rest of the year because Otis got rid of our best trade assets (outside of Ryan) already. Support the players who are fighting hard, or don’t support the team at all.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
by slickw143 on Feb 11, 2012 8:36 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I've supported this team for 19 yrs
That’s not gonna change with me. I just don’t like seeing them lose like this. I truly believe we’re an contender in the east, but just aren’t playing like it because of the players and bad coaching. That 1 win with miami isn’t enough to make me believe we can beat them in a best of 7 because we aren’t always gonna be hot from downtown( i wish we were). Besides the heat who have we beat?
Houston, Lakers, Portland (road), Golden State (road), Indiana (road twice), New York (road)...
Sacramento on the road (who just beat OKC). The team started out playing well, had a stretch worse than I’ve ever seen from the franchise (except for the beatdown in Indy), and has played well again the last 6 games. This season is weird, they still haven’t practiced in over a month, and they’re still dealing with the Dwight trade drama.
How, exactly, are they losing that’s so bad lately? We’re basically a few bad breaks from having a 6 game winning streak, with 4 playoff teams in that mix. The team is playing well, overall right now. More importantly, they’re not quitting in any game. This team is still a mystery, and it is certainly flawed (including some of Stan’s rotations this year, yes). But all we can ask from the dudes that are wearing the pinstripes now is to play hard. This isn’t the most talented team, which is Otis’ fault. But if they play together with ball movement and good defensive rotations, play smart and limit turnovers, and play hard with boxouts and preventing transition buckets, then they’ll do me proud.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
by slickw143 on Feb 11, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I agree with you
Also we beat west teams. but we have to beat 3 east teams in the playoffs in a best of 7 and as of right now i see is questionable. boston seems to have our number, bulls just play great defense, hawks still have luck, the 76ers can be trouble, and the heat, well i hope we’re on fire every game. Yes we can all agree Otis needs to be fired. oh well no use talking about the same thing we’ve been talking about for how long? Welcome back to my hometown Magic and beat the bucks. tonight
Yeah, those are all valid points.
I don’t think the Magic would be favored in any of those series. Maybe Philly (we almost beat them, even when playing at our worst). It’s going to take the dominoes falling the right way, and the Magic have to play smart and hard, as I said earlier.
I think this team is just as likely to surprise us all as they are to live up to the disappointment of last year. If Dwight is still here, that is.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
The collective nine points from the Magic bench was bad enough
…the fact they shot a combined 3 of 16 from the field was even worse. Atlanta’s reserves nearly doubled the output from the Magic reserves, scoring 17 points.
Ryan Anderson’s offensive output in the fourth quarter really helped the Magic get back in the game. He scored 12 points, including 10 points in the first 5:12 of the quarter, on 4 of 4 shooting and 3 of 3 from the free throw line.
Jameer Nelson did some good things, but he continues to falter late in games. He missed eight of his last ten shots in the fourth quarter and the OT, including all three shots in OT.
The Magic’s defense did a great job in the fourth quarter, allowing Atlanta to score just 17 points on 7 of 20 shooting.
The Magic only scored 15 third quarter points, on 6 of 17 shooting.
Josh Smith became just the sixth opposing player to score at least 23 points with at least 19 rebounds and 3 blocks in a game against the Magic, and the first in the Stan Van Gundy era.
Chicago Blackhawks... defense and goaltending must get better
Chicago Bears... entering a new era with Phil Emery as GM
"Orlando Pinstriped Post... the best, most modest Magic blog on the planet"
by Mike from Illinois on Feb 11, 2012 2:02 AM EST reply actions
If SVG continues with his "rotation" I see it only getting worse
Many teams are recognizing the can really wear down their starters and are going deeper into their bench to get the regular rotations a blow. But Stan thinks by giving a player rest from a shootaround and maybe a contact practice is enough. He’s running this team into the ground and IF they make the playoffs they won’t have any gas in the tank to compete. All these games we’ve played and Harper can’t play any meaningful minutes? Wafer can go for games and never see the floor? I think Shaq was right when he said Stan was the master of panic. Good thing Jeremy Lin isn’t on the team…
Well...
I’ll tell you what…
I’m tired of Van Gundy and his stubborn lineups, helpless faces, sorry excuses… and finally; his plain inability to CHANGE… at all!
If Stan can’t make ANY change to enable the Magic to beat Atlanta… after one full year to F%^&*% fix the problem(s) on this match-up… then he should be gone… zip. Because, we’ll meet this team, and Boston (another failure) and Miami (this one we are OK) and he has NOT come up with anything even close to resembling a real solution to these two teams dominance over the Magic!
We have good guys in the Bench… who Stan does not use (tonight it was Van Waffer, and Smith), and he stubbornly push Hedo and Duhon into extended play, even when they’re sinking the ship!
I do not comment more because this Team’s management makes my blood boil… we’ll see what happens after the deadline.
Here's an aye opener...
Magic need to take a really good and LONG look at this kid Jeremy Lin with NY Knicks; guy’s been RIPPING it up ALL WEEK LONG. Tonight, he just burned the Lakers for 38 points, 7assists. He’s averaging 28-points and 8 assists per game! He has great speed, dribble and a great eye for his teammates… just what the Magic need at Point Guard, right NOW!
I say, make him part of the discussion in a trade with NY. Howard and Turk for Amare, Lin, another player and a couple of picks… Otis; PUT YOUR HEAD INTO IT!
man
I am totally with you on that. but I think we would end up with baron davis lol. I think they would trade anyone but lin the way he is playing.
Lin could be obtained...
He’s only been on a roll for a few games; not even in the discussion for Rookie of the Year… YET!
The moment to get him is NOW; before he’s established as a bona fide great talent. We only have a couple of weeks, at the most.
MAKE THIS HAPPEN, OTIS!
Thanks, I was anxiously awaiting our first "Trade for Jeremy Lin" post.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
by slickw143 on Feb 11, 2012 8:39 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Me too!
Our Fair City...a campy post-apocalyptic science fiction radio epic!
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Feb 11, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
#FreeLilVtheWafegod
"I may be wrong...but I doubt it"~Charles Barkley
by JGutta on Feb 11, 2012 4:20 AM EST via Android app reply actions
Play the young guys and fresh legs.
Let players sit when they are not producing. See how J Rich came back fresh and played well.
Did you guys see Stan's presser ?
Is it just me or he was killing Hedo in his head over and over during the interrview ?
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
1 step forward
3 steps back… That’s been the Magic way
3 steps back?
An OT loss when we had several open shots to win is 3 steps back, while the victory against the Heat is only 1 step forward?
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
by slickw143 on Feb 11, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'd like someone to ask SVG about Wafer.
I didn’t see this game, but from the recap it seems like it was very much like the playoffs of last year. Considering how poor Hedo’s play has been, in combination with J-Rich’s solid play (apart from the FT line, apparently). I really can’t understand how you wouldn’t move J-Rich to SF and bring in Wafer at SG to push the energy on the offensive end.
It’s essentially like switching your defense to a zone to disrupt another team’s offense. It may not be the best way to go all the time, but when the other team is on a roll you can use it to throw them off balance. Put in Wafer and let him go to the basket a couple times, put their defense under some pressure.
Our Fair City...a campy post-apocalyptic science fiction radio epic!
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Feb 11, 2012 11:40 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, I'm all for this too.
That second unit can be putrid at times.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Yeah, and I'm not even saying "he should have..."
I’m just curious his thinking on the subject. Hedo’s playing poorly, the team is being held back and no one else on the roster has the kind of first step that can get defenses on their heels. J-Rich seems to be playing alright, but clearly can’t kill an opposing defense on his own.
So couple up the two on the wings, and let Wafer try to disrupt the game some. Maybe he’ll get a few points himself, maybe he’ll get them running after him or trying to deny him the ball — both of which would disrupt their defensive plan, thus opening up shooters.
Again…those are my thoughts. SVG obviously thought differently, and I’m just curious what his thinking was.
Our Fair City...a campy post-apocalyptic science fiction radio epic!
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Feb 11, 2012 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
Its like there is a rotation for guys to play like crap
First J-Rich and Nelson, now Turk, and JJ add in the constant Big Baby and thats the difference between being a top 3 team in the eastern conference to fighting the Celtics for the 6th spot.
Me Against The World And I'm Winning
Pretty much.
It’s kinda sad.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Hawks know how to stink up the game, and Magic knows how to self-destruct against them.
And after playing an elite-level match against MIA we again fell in ATL’s trap. Is ATL better than MIA defensively? How the hell is Pachulia still standing on the court with 3 fouls in about 40 minutes of playing time? The trap is to play ATL’s snail-like pace and allow them to:
- Defend Dwight in stationary positions so that scrubs like Pachulia can frustrate and irritate him.
- Switch on the wings so that they will have size advantage.
That is where we exactly need to mix it up, from time to time, with players who can push the ball and break the trap of playing with the pace that ATL wants (i.e., Wafer and Smith). It would also help to use Clark to slow down Josh Smith instead of useless Davis (after all, if the issue is offense with Clark, is Davis generating any offense?).
There are a few more games coming up next week for the Magic to show where they stand in this league, and whether or not they are an elite team (as showed up in MIA’s game) or just a victim to scrappy defensive teams, the likes of ATL and BOS.
Learning is not compulsory, but have you learned anything today?
by Matt1325 on Feb 11, 2012 4:08 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, I think this is pretty good summary.
Something’s got to change. Yeah, we absolutely destroyed ATL for a few years. But we don’t have the same team anymore, and they don’t have the same coach. Time for us to shake things up a bit against them.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
I know that this might sound like a wild scenario but
do you guys think that there’s slight chance that Stan wanted the guys from last year to beat the Hawks ? That maybe he thought it would mentaly help them ? I know it sounds silly but I really can’t understand why he didn’t change his strategy/roster against them.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
I uhhh hope that's not the case hah.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Yes, 3 steps back
The Magic are notorious for losing against teams they should beat. Same old story
They are? That's news to me.
Is it like how the Clippers lost to Cleveland? Or how the Thunder lost to the Kings? Or how Boston lost to Toronto? Or how ATL lost to PHX? Or how Miami lost to the Bucks twice and to the Magic? Or how the Lakers lost to the Knicks? This was all in the past week, mind you. Almost every team is “notorious” for losing to teams they theoretically should beat, I guess.
Not to mention the fact the Hawks came into the game with a better record than the Magic, they beat us soundly in the playoffs last year, and we barely lost in OT. So I think the “same old story” is that we lost to the Hawks, not that we lost to a team we supposedly “should” beat.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
by slickw143 on Feb 11, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
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