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Tonight's Game: Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic

3qcrockjersey_tiny by Ben Q Rock on in 2008/2009 Previews Comment 456 comments

Atlanta @ Orlando


2008/2009 NBA Regular Season
Atlanta Hawks main logo
 @
Orlando Magic main logo
22-1228-8
January 9th, 2009
Amway Arena
7:00 PM
FSN Florida HD
Probable starters:
Mike Bibby PG Jameer Nelson
Joe Johnson SG Courtney Lee
Marvin Williams SF Hedo Turkoglu
Josh Smith PF Rashard Lewis
Al Horford C Dwight Howard
Previous Meetings:
October 29th: Hawks 99, Magic 85
January 7th: Magic 106, Hawks 102

Boy, we really should be in for a heckuva game tonight.

Tonight's tilt between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks would probably be the NBA's must-watch game of the night, were it not for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics' matchup. If the Magic take care of business tonight against Atlanta, as they did on Wednesday, they'll be in second place in the Eastern Conference sometime tomorrow. Obviously, we still have a little more than half a season to go, but it's great to see the Magic are near the top of the conference in January; they haven't petered off like they did last year.

But onto the game: the Magic have to come out with the same intensity and focus they did against the Hawks on Wednesday. They also need to

  • Feed the ball to Dwight Howard, for whom Atlanta has no answer (with apologies to Al Horford, a hard-working defender);
  • force Joe Johnson to give the ball up;
  • and crash the boards.

Getting a lift from the bench (I'm looking at you, J.J. Redick) would help, too, especially because Atlanta's reserves are sure to be more productive, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's a must.

For their part, the Hawks appear to be really geared up for this game. Sekou Smith attended yesterday's practice, and filed this report afterward. Listen to what he writes about Atlanta coach Mike Woodson:

[Thursday's practice] wasn't a session the family could have attended, as there were far too many interesting words uttered by Woodson for anyone with sensitive ears to be allowed in.

I dug his approach and understood his main point; basically the Hawks made mistakes, most all of them correctable, he said. But if they weren't committed to doing things the way they have along the road to this 22-12 record, he'd be happy to make sure and play guys that were committed to doing it that way.

He didn't mince his words. Not once. And not for anybody, including his starters and captain and All-Star. It was rather refreshing to see, as I'm not always privy to the goings on at every practice for various reasons.

But I got the feeling that Woodson didn't care who saw what I saw Thursday. He was as intense as I've seen him and made sure his team understood that the message the Magic wanted to send, similar to the one the Hawks sent with their season-opening win in Orlando, was delivered first class.

Stan Van Gundy believes his team might have lucked into its most recent victory, and said the following after Wednesday's game:

"Tonight [the Hawks] missed," Van Gundy said. "I don't anticipate they they'll do that two nights in a row. When they play us Friday, it could be a tough night. I think we were very fortunate tonight."

I'm not so sure about that. Stan doesn't give himself or the players enough credit here: they played fantastic defense against the Hawks, who got very few open looks. Where they were successful was in transition (with the notable exception of Mike Bibby's inexplicable and inexcusable blown layup), and on some level the Magic need to be worried about that. If their own shots aren't falling, and if the Hawks are strong on the defensive glass, they'll be able to get out and run against a defense that has yet to set itself. Then again, if the Magic consistently get the ball to Howard, there won't be too many caroms for the Hawks to grab.

I'll end this preview with these quotes from Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who had the following to say yesterday morning:

Still, the Hawks are at least the Magic's equal, and that means both are in the vicinity of NBA prominence.

[....]

The Magic are loaded with an impressive frontcourt of Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis to complement Howard. In the backcourt, they have rising point guard [Jameer] Nelson, and promising rookie Courtney Lee. The Hawks' starting five is slightly better than that.

Moore concedes the Hawks have work to do before the postseason starts--free throw shooting is at the top of the list--but still believes, in spite of it all, the Hawks are at least on-par with the Magic. Discuss amongst yourselves; I believe I've made my position clear.

Tip's at 7 on FSN Florida. You can see it all in high definition. Go Magic.

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The Hawks are not on par with the Magic

Not even close. Tonight Orlando will take care of business and established their Southeast Division dominance. I’m pretty hyped about this game tonight, Hopefully there will be a qaulity live web stream.

by magic fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 10:05 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hawks has developed into a very nice team, but . . .

No way are they on the Magic’s level this season. They are on par with last year’s Magic maybe and next year they will probably be even better (depends on what happens with Bibby or who his replacement will be).

With the exception of shooting guard (sorry Pietrus, Lee & Bogans), there isn’t any Hawk starter I would take over the Magic’s.

by funny80sguy on Jan 9, 2009 11:09 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

if they were on par,

they’d be 28-8. so, no. gimme a break.

www.last.fm/user/mhetrick04

by mhetrick14 on Jan 9, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Slightly better? Really?

I can understand how one can feel that the Hawks are on par with the Magic given their head to head meetings. I personally believe that the Hawks are more on par with last year’s Magic team, before we started playing championship level defense. Our only real worry is clutch scoring, because our franchise player can’t hit free throws.

What I can’t understand is why he feels the Hawks starting five is slightly better. Our team doesn’t really get much from the bench, and it’s really the starting five, with four players averaging better than 16 points, and a fifth (he mentions Lee) that has contributed to us being ranked 3rd in defensive efficiency this season. The Hawks, meanwhile are middle of the pack defensively, and about on par with us offensively. The only advantage their starting lineup has over ours would be that they have a clutch scorer. But the Magic’s approach by committee has been good enough for a five game lead over the Hawks, so I think that answers that.

I think it’s interesting though, the Magic are trying hard to be considered among the real elite of the league along with Boston, LA, Cleveland. Meanwhile they have teams from behind them trying to prove they are as good as the Magic. Rather than looking at this as a slight, it should really be a compliment. We’ve come pretty far if other teams want to prove they are “as good as us” or “slightly better”.

by Swami Digital on Jan 9, 2009 2:49 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's better that the Magic don't have a "go-to" scorer at the end of games.

It may sound odd, given that you’d like to know exactly who you’re going to go to in crunch time, but for Orlando it’s an advantage because defenses can’t clue in on one particular player. It could be Turk, Lewis, Jameer .. hell, even Dwight. That’s why the Magic are so dangerous because they can beat you with different people.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 3:26 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Umm, I don't think so

Efficiency Differential based on starting 5 (BasketballVallue)

Atlanta +1.38
Orl with Bogans +21.70
with Lee +23.91
with MP +12.81
(with JJ +12.35)

So a couple things pop out; Atlanta’s starting 5 is no where close to the Magic’s starting 5, regardless who we start at the 2. (Start losing other positions and it’s a little more dicey).

Secondly, Lee is in the lead for best starting sg!

Finally, Zaza is the unsung hero for these Hawks, they miss him, and especially against us. Or so says Plus Minus, but truthfully that stat rarely makes any sense to me. Regardless, to say that their 5 surpasses our 5 is plain crazy talk of the highest order.

'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 9, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Adjusted +/- is better than just straight up +/-

It’s a useful stat, but make sure you look at adjusted.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 3:38 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree

I went and looked at Popcorn Machine to see how the starting units played each other and in the Orlando victory our starters outscored theirs by 7, in the loss at the beginning of the season they outscored ours by 9. So even though our starting unit has been more fluid in the two match up’s with MP starting in one and Lee the other, Atlanta has a slight edge. I guess that is some ammo for Hawk homers. Some….

'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 9, 2009 3:48 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Atlanta Hawks – Orlando Magic

LIVE

http://www.iddaliyim.tr.gg/Canli-Mac-izle-_-salon-1.htm

www.iddaliyim.tr.gg

by milleniumprince on Jan 9, 2009 7:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Joe Johnson

Will be back to his normal self tonight…I have a feeling

by Marie on Jan 9, 2009 7:07 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Right.

Courtney can stick with him, though. As long as his shots are contested, I mean, that’s all we can ask for.

I’d rather see him turned into the playmaker role. Let ANYONE ELSE shoot.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 9, 2009 7:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The defense hasn't been as good, but overall the Magic still look excellent

Dwight came up with the big block there, but Smith shouldn’t have been able to get to the rim so easily in the first place.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 9, 2009 7:19 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Right.

Still .. it’s J-Smooth, he’s a beast.

I thoroughly enjoyed his monster jam a few days ago against Orlando. Have to admire his insane athletic ability.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:21 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That looked like Chris Paul to Tyson Chandler

Nelson just noodled around in the lane, Horford came out to challenge Nelson, who lofted the ball at the rim for Dwight to dunk

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 9, 2009 7:22 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Arroyo used to do that a lot last season.

Surprised Jameer doesn’t do it more himself.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:23 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why not?

He’s definitely a viable back-up PG for every team in the NBA. He plays out of control at times, but he’s certainly capable of playing effective minutes off the bench for a team.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:24 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magic came to play.

They better finish the game strong. Can’t go full throttle for one half.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I do expect the Hawks to make a run sometime, though

I don’t expect Joe Johnson to score under 15 points again.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's a play we haven't seen very often this year

Nelson dribbling baseline, handing off the Turk who cuts into the lane from the left wing, draws the defense, then shovels the ball to Dwight. Hawks read it fairly well, hacked Dwight in time to prevent him from finishing.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 9, 2009 7:24 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Look at it this way...

… if the Magic can win tonight, they will be guaranteed to gain a game on either the Celts or Cavs.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:27 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did Paul Kennedy just accuse Dwight of being a dirty player?

“Dwight has gotten good at flaying his arm around after contact.”

by funny80sguy on Jan 9, 2009 7:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's true though

I mean, he’s not dirty, but he throws the ’bows now since he gets hit intentionally all the time, and hit hard. Why not dish it out when others are dishing it out too?

by Marie on Jan 9, 2009 7:30 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't see the problem.

May as well dish the pain if he receives it all the time.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:30 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

You want to play inside against Dwight, he’s going to make you earn your stops.

by eltharion_doa on Jan 9, 2009 10:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So dope.

I’m loving Lee .. he’s going to be a player for years to come.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:32 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Telling you .. when Nelson goes, so go the Magic.

He got off to a hot start, and what do you know .. the Magic do too.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:32 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ugh .. No Neck is in.

Remember this .. 18 point lead when Nelson left. Curious to see if the lead gets smaller, stays the same, or gets bigger when Nelson comes back in.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I guess . . .

not even AJ can ruin this game.

by funny80sguy on Jan 9, 2009 7:55 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Redick has 8 points in the first quarter

Might that be a career high for J.J. for points in a quarter?

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Possibly.

He might’ve scored that in the 4th quarter in garbage time or something.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 9, 2009 7:38 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

J.J.!!!

He feels like he’s back in Cameron Indoor Stadium again.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 7:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love Gortat bearhugs the ball when he rebounds

I probably wouldn’t have ever noticed if that picture of him wasn’t posted on this site earlier

by funny80sguy on Jan 9, 2009 7:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Goukas: "Smart play by J.J. Redick."

At the beginning of the year, I would have predicted I would never hear that.

by funny80sguy on Jan 9, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A.J. drives the lane, lays it in, gets the foul. And-1 opportunity.

Wow.

That’s when you know you’re having a bad night. Anthony Johnson is taking you off the dribble.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 9, 2009 7:49 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

21 points for our bench

… and it’s only the second quarter!

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 7:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Come on refs!

Just let the Hawks have that basket.

by funny80sguy on Jan 9, 2009 7:52 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Joe Johnson

Maybe he’s not back to normal, but he is ATL’s leading scorer right now…so I’m half right

by Marie on Jan 9, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just...

wow. Seriously. Wow.

Maybe all the riding on the Hawks’ part was bad? just wow.

by fwedo on Jan 9, 2009 8:00 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ha, varsity vs. JV

That’s funny….contradicts that Hawks report

by Marie on Jan 9, 2009 8:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dwight just 2 of 7 from the FT line

… that’s about the only negative stat for any Magic player tonight.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:07 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow

Everything is going our way tonight…Jameer ends up with an assist instead of a turnover

by Marie on Jan 9, 2009 8:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm watching the Cavs/Celtics on ESPN

…as I’m following the Magic on Yahoo. Cavs are wearing their retro unis again tonight. Cavs with the early lead 6-2.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:09 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's like a fake retro

It’s a “Let’s make money off LeBron” retro

by Marie on Jan 9, 2009 8:10 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Magic are in a major zone right now.

I’ve never seen this team so locked in before. They’re playing ridiculous basketball right now.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 8:13 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Quiet game for Lewis

… just 5 points so far. With practically everyone else on, we don’t need him tonight.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just came back from a meeting and...

..saw the score. Holy crap. Anyone else think someone showed the players that article where the guy said their starting five was ‘slightly better’? Because they are playing like they got disrespected and have to give it back!

by Swami Digital on Jan 9, 2009 8:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's possible SVG used the quotes as "bulletin board material".

Never know. But given how well the Magic have played tonight, it’s not a ridiculous theory.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 8:45 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

PS.

I think it says a lot about the Hawks having a ways to go before they call themselves a top team, the way they just lost their composure after getting buried early. Good teams never lose their composure.

by Swami Digital on Jan 9, 2009 8:25 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Talk about a dominant first half....

… not only are the Magic outshooting the Hawks 60 pct to 25 pct., they are outrebounding the Hawks 28-15 and have an outstanding 16/4 AST/TO ratio.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magic lead up to 44

… after the three by Lewis 82-38.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cavaliers continue to lead the Celtics

… 34-27 with about 8 and a half minutes remaining in the second

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 9, 2009 8:41 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

SVG

Acting like we’re not up by 44, haha

by Marie on Jan 9, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's a perfectionist, I'm not surprised.

I don’t think any lead would make him content.

I’m glad he’s that way. That’s what makes him such an elite coach in the NBA.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 8:48 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly

He’s not a jerk about wanting to correct mistakes even with the huge lead

by Marie on Jan 9, 2009 8:49 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think it's safe to switch to Friday Night Fights in a little bit.

Yuriorkis Gamboa on ESPN2 tonight! I advise all to check it out.

by magic fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

12-0 I believe

He’s not a fan of defense, but he’s electrifying when he connects.

by magic fanatic on Jan 9, 2009 8:50 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I saw a few of his fights on HBO .. usually since he's the undercard.

He has the potential to be special. His hand speed is superb and he has a mean right hook.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 9, 2009 8:51 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs