Dwight Howard: "I Hate losing, especially to the Hawks"
If Dwight Howard hates losing to the Hawks he may as well start thinking about joining them.
In a wildly epic Game 1 of this best-of-seven series, the Hawks controlled the entire game to a 103-93 victory. It was an amazing display of the Hawks' team advantages versus the Magic's and the Hawks obviously triumphed. Dwight Howard scored a playoff career-high 46 pts (16/22 FGs 14/22 FTs) grabbed 19 rbs but only mustered 1 block and 1 assist. Jameer Nelson scored 27 pts (10/18 FGs 4/7 3ptFGs) but only managed to dish 1 assist. The Atlanta Hawks emphasized their advantage with their execution of the motion-offense and their amazing shot-making abilities led by Joe Johnson 25 pts (9/16 FGs 7/8 FTs) Jamal Crawford 23 pts (7/14 FGs 4/7 3ptFGs ) Al Horford 16 pts (7/14 FGs ) and yes, even Josh Smith 15 pts (6/12 FGs 1/2 3ptFGs)
Those guys had an outstanding offensive game which surely is a large portion of the reason the Hawks won, but the win-shares are at least equal with the strong play of 2 defensive specialists, Jason Collins and Kirk Hinrich. Collins only played 18 minutes and scored a total of 6 fouls and 1 point but his defensive work against Howard played a large role in not allowing the Magic to make a comeback in the second half. Kirk Hinrich has always been known as a defensive specialist, but he even outplayed Nelson on offense in the first half.
We here @PlayoffsHAWKS are avid readers and supporters of Hoopinionblog.com an Atlanta Hawks analysis run on pessimism and truth (Hence the inconsistent optimism this blog was born from), and this game was a win so beautiful it may have for the first time prompted owner Brett LaGree to start a post by saying, "A tremendous win for the Atlanta Hawks."
Game 2 Preview
The Hawks played game 1 perfectly and now Orlando is forced to make adjustments.
Or maybe they won't. Because the Hawks played PERFECTLY, probably for the first time all season, and many naysayers are saying it is unlikely that the Hawks will submit another efficient offensive showcase like in Game 1. Its also unlikely Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson will score 73 points on 26/40 FGs . The truth of the matter is that the Atlanta Hawks have 6 players who can and most likely will average double figures, with 2 of those guys(Johnson and Crawford) are almost guaranteed at least 20 ppg. Not only does Atlanta have the personnel to defeat this team, they definitely have the confidence.
"Just to continue to do it with five guys, continue to make the right play giving up good shots for great shots. That's why we shot such a high percentage. Guys passed up some good shots but we got great shots in the long run, we worked the clock well. We will continue to do things well that were successful for us." --Jamal Crawford 4/19/11Yes, the Atlanta Hawks seem to have a good game plan, it is absolutely astounding that the Hawks made 34/74 FGs and only 8 FGs were layups. While the Hawks will most likely stick to the script, the Magic are surely going to make some adjustments.
Coach Larry Drew seems very confident, but healthily concerned about the way his team won the game."Our whole focus has been on protect the paint and they haven't been looking to get to the rim a whole lot, containing perimeter jump shots and the Hawks mid-range shots are now our biggest concerns. Even the (Hawks') 51 percent (field goal percentage) was deceptive, because going into the fourth (quarter) they were at 58 percent and that's when the game was decided, so they really had their way with us. And we've got to be a lot better defensively, no matter what we do offensively. If we're going to have to score 105 or 106 points every night to win, then we're gonna be in trouble." -- Coach Stan Van Gundy 4/18/11
"We don't want to be a team that relies on just shooting jump shots... We like to open the floor up. It won't be a situation of us just settling for the perimeter. We've got to find that balance of inside-out. As dominant as Dwight is on the inside, we can't shy away from taking the ball to the basket. We have to be the aggressor."So a few minor adjustments to look for in tonight's game:
- fast break points - Atlanta won the fast break battle 11-10 in Game 1 so look for the Hawks to run even more to challenge the Magic speed and athleticism, where they know they have an advantage
- rebounding - Dwight Howard is almost guaranteed to average 20 rpg because he always does in the post-season but look for Al and Josh to step up on the boards to tighten up that 40-29 advantage the Magic had in Game 1
- Marvin Williams - why not 7 players in double figures? Marvin scored 6 points on 2/3 FGs in Game 1 but also got 2 crucial steals and played excellent team defense, if he can get a few more points it will be difficult for Orlando to overcome
"Oh No. We came here with the objective to get two games, we put ourselves in this position and now we look forward to getting Game 2 on Tuesday night." --Jason CollinsATL! O Le Do it.
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