(4) Orlando vs. (5) Atlanta Game One Thread

[HMFFL]

April 16th @ 7pm EST







Regular season series:
Atlanta won 3-1

Favored to win:
Orlando by 8.5 points

[drsd]

Magic fan here:

Collins defense on Howard is a clear key.

I think we are all up for game 1.

[Mr13A]

game's gonna be so hawkward..

[evildallas]

Magic fan here:

Collins defense on Howard is a clear key.

I think we are all up for game 1.

I agree, but there is also the possible factor of our coach not using the strategy in the 4th quarter and blowing a lead (like last game). Or perhaps panicking like our last coach and only using the strategy for a total of 6 minutes because of a quick foul or two like last year.

[Ruhiel]

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks ... 10282.html

[HMFFL]

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/jameer-nelsons-comments-irk-910282.html

We'll see if Josh performs or just runs his mouth. Nelson and Orlando have every right to feel confident about the series. The top tier teams raise their level of play during the playoffs, but we seem to fold.

[HoopsGuru25]

Now Granted Josh doesn't really react that well when things are getting tough(bad calls,opposite end of a big run)...but that's the kind of atittude you want from a key player. I feel a little more confident than I did before(although I still think they are going to get dominated if I had to bet money).

It would also be nice if Joe could atleast pretend to show some emotion. His response was exactly what I would have predicted.

[gino_giode]

How's Smith's jump shot looking? I remember him draining long 2s and 3s all day against the Magic a couple times this season.

[Skar]

Magic wins with another sweep. The Hawks are garbage.

[drsd]

I agree, but there is also the possible factor of our coach not using the strategy in the 4th quarter and blowing a lead (like last game). Or perhaps panicking like our last coach and only using the strategy for a total of 6 minutes because of a quick foul or two like last year.

Magic fan here:

Most Orlando fans assume that Atlanta will guard Howard one on one to stay home at the three-ball. From there, by extension, Orlando fans assume that the Magic will run pick-and-roll after pick and role. Mechanically, Orlando's set plays will not be very dynamic. Everything, for both teams, will then come down to execution.

[evildallas]

I agree, but there is also the possible factor of our coach not using the strategy in the 4th quarter and blowing a lead (like last game). Or perhaps panicking like our last coach and only using the strategy for a total of 6 minutes because of a quick foul or two like last year.

Magic fan here:

Most Orlando fans assume that Atlanta will guard Howard one on one to stay home at the three-ball. From there, by extension, Orlando fans assume that the Magic will run pick-and-roll after pick and role. Mechanically, Orlando's set plays will not be very dynamic. Everything, for both teams, will then come down to execution.

We aren't exactly known for our crisp execution. For us the defensive keys are as you said playing Dwight with only one defender so we can stay at home and deny clean looks at three, hoping that Josh can play disciplined and stay with his defender (he has a tendency to wander off and want to help even when the scheme doesn't call for it), and finally hoping that Kirk Hinrich can limit the penetration by Jameer Nelson. Realistically he can't shut down Nelson, but if Nelson doesn't score 20 we have hope. Offensively, we need one of 2 things to happen and that is for our jumpers to fall or for our players realize when they aren't falling and try to take the ball underneath. I say this knowing that Dwight changes or erases most inside shots so it if very important to outrebound the Magic at the other spots in the lineup other than C.

We know how to play the Magic to have a chance to win, but I'm not convinced we can execute the game plan with the playoff pressure in play. We're guilty of playing some of the ugliest series in recent history. 3 years ago against the Celtics we took it 7 games, but were blown out in each of 4 road games. 2 years ago, we traded blowouts while besting Miami in 7 then an admittedly hobbled team got slaughtered by Cleveland. Last year we took 7 games to beat a wounded Milwaukee team and then outright quit as the Magic beat us senseless by an average of 30 points a game. Each time we lost a series we came back the following year and played the team tough or won in regular season (even Cleveland despite blowing leads that year), but this is the first time we've gotten a 2nd chance to play meaningful games. How the players respond to that is anyone's guess.

[reazun]

im not gonna lie, im kinda thinking we might get swept. but at least buffalo wild wings has 25 cent wings on tues!!!

[PigsEatHam]

Should be a good series. Despite your record, you're better suited for the playoffs than last year. As a lifelong Orlando native, I obviously hope the Magic win--and win easily, but I think this will be a close series, six or seven games either way. Depends on execution and focus. Good luck. And if you win, I hope you crush whoever advances in the second round. I'd rather see Atlanta in the finals than any other team aside from Orlando.

[Retrovision]

C'mon dirty birds. Stop looking cool, calm, and collected and GET THE JOB DONE.

[evildallas]

im not gonna lie, im kinda thinking we might get swept. but at least buffalo wild wings has 25 cent wings on tues!!!

That's good info.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Hawks in 6 games if we show we can contain Dwight and also win game 1. 7 games if we can't contain Dwight, but win game 1. Magic in 4 games if we can't contain Dwight and lose game 1 or Magic in 6 games if we can contain Dwight, but lose game 1.

Obviously the containment of Dwight is the key. Hawks excel over the other players except maybe PG, but our platoon of PG's can overtake Jameer by his lonesome. Drew has to play his bench wisely. Bring Teague in, when Dwight is out so he can drive and push the tempo. Keep Hinrich on Jameer. Throw Collins at Dwight for starters and follow with Etan then Pachulia. Play Armstrong at the 4 over Powell for shot blocking purpose's on help side D of Dwight. Try to play Pachulia when Dwight isn't out there to have an advantage over the back ups.

X-Factor(not exactly)- Marvin Williams. If he produce offensively and the Hawks contain Dwight, then it's Atlanta's for the taking.

[HoopsGuru25]

The containment of Dwight isn't really the key....it's stopping the massive amount of wide open 3s that comes with gearing your entire defense to stop him. If Orlando shoots like they did in last years series then the Hawks will get swept again....if they shoot like they did during the 4 games this year then the majority of the games are going to come down to the wire.

They really just have to play hard though. Orlando is better...but they certainly didn't look like a juggernaut when facing Charlotte(despite sweeping)or Philly in the 1st round the previous year. The Hawks just have a habit of conceding the victory as soon as the opposing team goes on their 1st big run.

[HMFFL]

J.J. Redick is set to play game one.

Just another pure shooter Orlando will throw at us.

[evildallas]

Watching the Bulls overcome the Pacers in the final minute. It really brings home the point that it isn't enough to play well during the playoffs, you have to close!

Also, I find it somewhat humorous that the random trade article today is about Dwight Howard possibly getting dealt this summer. I was really expecting to read articles about Josh Smith in the same light. Glad they have they deal with answering those questions instead of our guys.

[HoopsGuru25]

Pacers just got flat dominates in the last 2 minutes and I think Philly will also eventually blow this lead....but that's how you're supposed to take the crowd out the game.