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Tonight's Game: Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks

3qcrockjersey_tiny by Ben Q Rock on in 2008/2009 Previews Comment 683 comments

Orlando @ Atlanta


2008/2009 NBA Regular Season
Orlando Magic 20th anniversary logo
 @
Atlanta Hawks alternate logo
27-822-11
January 7th, 2009
Philips Arena
7:00 PM
FSN Florida
Probable starters:
Jameer Nelson PG Mike Bibby
Courtney Lee SG Joe Johnson
Hedo Turkoglu SF Marvin Williams
Rashard Lewis PF Josh Smith
Dwight Howard C Al Horford
Previous Meetings:
October 29th: Hawks 99, Magic 85

No, I can't believe the Atlanta Hawks are 22-11 either, even after they embarrassed the Orlando Magic on their own floor on opening night. As much as I want to dismiss the Hawks as a flukey team, I can't. We're nearing the halfway point of the season and Atlanta is winning two games for every one it loses. I don't want it to be true, but it is, and the Magic need to be ready.

UPDATE: How ready? Pretty ready. Matt Watson details how well Atlanta has played recently:

The Hawks may be the league's best team no one is talking about yet, but they've only lost two games in their last 12 -- the first a three-point loss to the Celtics and the second the result of a buzzer-beater by Vince Carter in overtime.

I had no idea.

Injuries may change the Hawks' gameplan a bit tonight, but not much. Starting small forward Marvin Williams is a game-time decision, meaning Maurice Evans could start in his place. UPDATE: Marvin Williams is a go, says Sekou Smith. Zaza Pachulia and Acie Law IV are out. Ronald Murray would see extensive action off the bench, with the Hawks shifting Joe Johnson to small forward in a three-guard lineup. That's the strategy they used to beat the Houston Rockets on Saturday... and to beat the Magic on opening night, for that matter.

No matter who takes the floor for Atlanta tonight, the key to stopping it is to close-out on its three-point shooters. Kevin Pelton has traced the Hawks' marked increase in offensive efficiency to their taking--and thus making--more treys this year. The Magic have the personnel to make this happen. I'd argue the Magic have about zero chance of sticking with Johnson, so they should instead focus on keeping Evans, Williams, and Mike Bibby in check.

Based on some comments he made after last night's narrow 89-80 win over Atlanta, in which Wizards two-guard Caron Butler scored 29 points, Stan Van Gundy might agree that the Magic can't guard Johnson. Here's Van Gundy, as transcribed by John Denton of Florida Today:

"If you're a two-guard, we're the team you want to play," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy muttered Tuesday night. "We're struggling to stop anybody at that position."

If the game is close in crunch-time, the Hawks will go to either Bibby or Johnson, while relying on Josh Smith and Al Horford for rebounds. Defensively, they'll probably switch Johnson on Jameer Nelson and protect Bibby from being exploited by cross-matching him with Courtney Lee. We've seen bigger guards frustrate Jameer throughout his career, most notably Richard Hamilton, so the Magic may find themselves depending on Hedo Turkoglu or Rashard Lewis for crunch-time buckets instead of Nelson. I'm sure plenty of NBA teams would love to have that problem.

One thing to consider while fearing Johnson: he hasn't been defended by Lee yet. In the first game, Keith Bogans and J.J. Redick shared the backup shooting guard minutes. Johnson torched everyone, and Murray really had his way with Redick. There's the hope that Lee will be able to at least frustrate Johnson... right?

A loss tonight wouldn't bother me too much, as long as the Magic return the favor when these teams meet again this Friday in Orlando. Tip's at 7 on FSN. Check out Peachtree Hoops' gamethread for more about the Hawks. Go Magic.

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This will be one of the toughest games of the season for Orlando as the cards are stacked against them. I’m expecting a split in these two games but I sure hope we can grab both of them and create some room in the division.

By the way, how about JJ Redick as of late. He’s not putting up huge numbers but he’s doin all the right things on both ends of the floor (minus that defensive lapse against Kapono). I hope he continues his strong play tonight.

by magic fanatic on Jan 7, 2009 10:08 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Atlanta likes the jump shot

We like to force teams to take them. Should be interesting to see how that turns out for us.

These teams are very similar in a lot of ways. I still say we sweep these next two.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Jan 7, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Curious to see how the Hawks play.

If they play like they did against the Celtics at home a few weeks back, the Magic are going to be in for a major hurting. Atlanta scares me, because when they’re on, they are unstoppable.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 7, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't know!

But a mayor change in this game will be our new stater Lee. He, definitly, is a better defender than Bogan or Redick. He will contribute on both site of the court. This is gona be his take or break oportunity.

I will see the Dolphins win a SUPER BOWL before i die(21 years and counting)

by Aleta on Jan 7, 2009 4:00 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Better win!!!!

The Hawks better win this game tonight!!!! With 3 solid days of no games, time to game plan and rest there’s no excuses for them………

by orltragic07 on Jan 7, 2009 5:11 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

seeing as I was at that horrible game opener

winning this one would be sweet sweet revenge.

Go Magic! Don’t suck!

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 7, 2009 5:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good luck DSK

I think I would have stayed away from that considering how well Atlanta has been playing at home, but I hope the Magic can come through tonight.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 7, 2009 7:03 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dwight smooth shot.

Eww… I’ve got the hawks announcers tonight, at least it’s HD.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Joe Johnson towers over Lee

I hadn’t realized he was that tall.

by funny80sguy on Jan 7, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, like pre-season

I guess not everyone is hyped up for this game…the players are, at least

by Marie on Jan 7, 2009 7:16 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

this could be dangerous

The Magic thrive in hostile territory. This seems more neutral.

by funny80sguy on Jan 7, 2009 7:17 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I see that Chucky Atkins was traded to OKC today

… I know some people wanted the Magic to pursue him as a backup PG.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 7, 2009 7:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

JJ does his hair for game-time?

Little bit weird. But then again, if you’re rockin’ custom-fit jeans in the locker-room post game, I guess you’re allowed.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 7:24 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Any Justin TV feeds? I’m bored as shit at work…
Someone fill my day with some MAGIC!

by FLYNN47 on Jan 7, 2009 7:26 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Man, we were up like 21-9 and after a missed Dwight free throw

Hawks cut it 21-14… they’re going to get right back into this before the quarter is over…

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 7:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good hustle by Dwight

No one came to help him out, however

by Marie on Jan 7, 2009 7:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Interesting Magic lineup

How many times have Redick and Lee been on the court at the same time this season?!

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 7, 2009 7:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't think Dwight like the double foul...

Jones fouled him, then looked like he fouled him again to make sure the continuation wouldn’t go. Dwight started walking towards him said a few words and they bickered back and forth for a while. It’ll be interesting to see if that’ll set Dwight off. Wake a sleeping giant?

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 7:31 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Haha

That graphic said Tayshaun Prince…didn’t know he was playing for the Hawks!

by Marie on Jan 7, 2009 7:35 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hawks coming back

… they tied it after trailing after trailing 21-9

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 7, 2009 7:42 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dudes

this lineup is the fuckin worst.

i cannot tell you how much i hate anthony johnson. good god.

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on Jan 7, 2009 7:43 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

stays with the same lineup out of t.o.

you have to be kidding me.

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on Jan 7, 2009 7:45 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Orlando Magic – Atlanta Hawks

LIVE

http://www.iddaliyim.tr.gg/Canli-Mac-izle-_-salon-3.htm

www.iddaliyim.tr.gg

by milleniumprince on Jan 7, 2009 7:44 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OK SVG, that's a start

now remove JJ, AJ and Tony please.

Seriously 9 minutes left in the half and the starters have been resting for 5+ minutes already, is this really necessary?

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 7:46 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh thank god

whew.

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on Jan 7, 2009 7:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

quality pass

ugh.

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on Jan 7, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hedo and Bibby, the former Kings teammates

They are retiring Vlade’s and Webber’s jerseys this year

by Marie on Jan 7, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

god i love jj

haha

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on Jan 7, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

When you look at Turk's hair from the back has anyone else thought he's trying or has a mohawk?

seriously…

the middle of his head has more hair on it than the sides, a quick glance you’d think he could pull off the hawk with some gel.

Maybe he just has a bad barber?

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

not even shorter on the sides like a fade...

it’s like the top center of his head is longer then the side parts of the top center of his head, lol if that makes sense

ok back to bball, enough of the hair dressing breakdown…

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 7:52 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sick.

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on Jan 7, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

really loving C-Lee….See great things in this kid.

by FLYNN47 on Jan 7, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL, I so-wish this mall cop wasn't rated PG

If this thing was rated R, it’d be the next superbad.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 7:54 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bibby and Joe Johnson...

… have shot a combined 5 for 15 so far for 11 points. Let’s hope they don’t start heating up.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 7, 2009 7:54 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gotta finish this half strong

they have the tendency to nap in the last 2 minutes of the first half.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 8:04 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magic shooting great for the half

22 of 38 for 58 pct… Atlanta just 18 of 42 for 43 pct.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 7, 2009 8:10 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magic doing well at the FT line also

12 for 15 compared to just 5 of 12 for the Hawks.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 7, 2009 8:14 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Awesome

I’ve heard of the business, but never been to the website…these are all the photos they showed in the halftime feature

by Marie on Jan 7, 2009 8:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I also like how Kevin Willis has his jeans business

Maybe it’s clothing in general, but I always thought it was just jeans

by Marie on Jan 7, 2009 8:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love it

It looks like he found some poor schlub with some talent and bankrolled him to reap the profits.

by funny80sguy on Jan 7, 2009 8:19 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dwight got fouled!!!

He was going to dunk that!

by Marie on Jan 7, 2009 8:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Verbal from Hedo

I didn’t see contact, but it went in anyway

by Marie on Jan 7, 2009 8:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol Hedo

bit of a flop.

Anyone else think Bibby has a really high voice?

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 7, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magic looking nice...

here’s to hoping that SVG doesn’t mess with the lineup for a few minutes.

COURTNEY!

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 8:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bibby floppin'

who’s dropping the “whoooooo” every 2 seconds?

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 7, 2009 8:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs