Eastern Conference Semi Finals - #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

[JJ Smooth]

Series Schedule

Game 1 (Tuesday 5/4) - 8pm
Game 2 (Thursday 5/6) - 8pm
Game 3 (Saturday 5/8) - 5 pm
Game 4 (Monday 5/10) - 8pm
Game 5 (Wednesday 5/12) -TBD (if necessary)
Game 6 (Friday 5/14) - TBD (if necessary)
Game 7 (Sunday 5/16) - TBD (if necessary)​

Amway Arena (Magic)

Philips Arena (Hawks)

Jameer Nelson ~~(PG)~~ Mike Bibby

Vince Carter ~~(SG)~~ Joe Johnson

Matt Barnes ~~(SF)~~ Marvin Williams

Rashard Lewis ~~(PF)~~ Josh Smith

Dwight Howard ~~(C)~~ Al Horford

Stan Van Gundy ~~(Coach)~~Mike Woodson

Bench Notables:

Orlando

Ryan Anderson / Marcia Gortat / JJ Redick / Jason Williams / Mickael Pietrus / Jason Williams

Atlanta

Jamal Crawford / Maurice Evans / Joe Smith / Zaza Pachulia / Jamal Crawford / Mario West / Jeff Teague​

Tips to Victory:

Magic:

(1) Control the pace of the game and make the Hawks play half-court. Atlanta likes to push the ball and play at a much faster tempo than the slow, grindout games. While the Hawks do have the talent to make a half-court game competitive , its certainly not their strength and something that favors a defensive oriented team like Orlando. Also note that in defensive statistics Atlanta ranks #17 overall, while the Magic rank #5.

(2) Feeding Dwight Howard consistently will prove a nightmare for the Atlanta team. While Charlotte had the right idea of bringing in three tough bigs to battle Howard, it opened them up to the three-pointer barrage. Atlanta will be the opposite as they lack both size and strenght against the East's best center. If Dwight keeps the dumb fouls to a minimum he'll be able to have a field day in the paint on the offensive end of the floor. If Dwight does stay in the game not only will it neutralize Horford and Josh Smith, but put the pressure solely on Joe Johnson; and let's face it Joe Joe can't go 1-on-5 against this elite team.

(3) I'm quite positive that Vince Carter can't check Joe Johnson, so some defensive help might be beneficial. If Johnson is kept in check it'll be up to the other Hawks to beat a strong Magic team. Bibby is fading, Horford has to contend with Dwight, and Josh Smith has a suspectible jump shot. No Joe Johnson, no chance.

Atlanta:

(1) The Hawks will need to attack the basket as much as possible to get Dwight in foul trouble. The Magic center is too strong and too much for the Atlanta bigs to handle. Consistent drives to the basket (even if unsuccessful) might net Howard a costly foul; or even better frustrate him into sub-par play. The more Dwight is in the game the more it favors the Magic's game and chances.

(2) As was seen in the Charlotte series Jameer Nelson was a monster and Vince Carter was typical Vince Carter. Locking down on Jameer will likely put the ball in VC's hands, and with the way he's been shooting lately (especially his absymal 3pt shooting) the better for Atlanta. For Atlanta's sake, let them hope that Carter's playoff slump continues for one more series.

(3) As it seems with all Magic games be ready for the 3pt rain. There seems to be a stretch where the Magic seem to hit three ball after three ball, and when it happens it becomes very daunting. The important thing is to maintain poise and get back to tight perimeter defensive assignments. The wrong move would be to try and match those shots on the other end and try to rally qucikly. Look for the best shot, not the first shot and don't forget to play your game.

Prediction: Orlando Magic in 5​

Two things tell me this series won't even be close and a Magic ECF berth. First, the Hawks were destroyed several times in the regular season by Orlando; with the only victory being a last second putback by Josh Smith. Also, the Hawks have only won two (!) playoff games on the road in 20 games total. In the playoffs a winning road team is imperative, and since the Hawks lack that along with the homecourt advantage I expect them to slide to an 0-2 hole. Equally alarming is the banged up Bucks taking Atlanta to seven, with one of those losses being at Philips Arena. The Hawks thrive at home (allegedly, but stats have them nearly the same) but that Buck road win was a red flag, what would happen if a championship level team like Orlando comes around?

I do expect Atlanta to win one though in the series. I believe that no team can play perfect for four straight, and I expect the Magic to die by the three at least once. Besides, even though they did sweep Charlotte the team seen in the opening round wasn't the elite Magic from the regular season. If that kind of play continues, the Hawks have a chance of netting that one victory.

While I am 99.99% sure a five game series is upon us here, I'll gladly take the upset.

And finally... (a little outdated, but you get the point)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYXwcLOlIDk​

:ninja:Superman my ass. See you soon bitches.:ninja:

 

[The Oi]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

This will be pure annihilation. Cavs need to take out the Celts as soon as possible.

 

[chiefwahoo]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

Much like the 2009 Cavs, I expect this Magic team to easily collect its second sweep. I also expect them to not be ready when they face us in the ECF. Role reversal.

The Bucks/Hawks aren't even high-level practices in preparing for us... just like the Pistons/Hawks didn't allow us to be ready last year.

 

[Brandname]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

Much like the 2009 Cavs, I expect this Magic team to easily collect its second sweep. I also expect them to not be ready when they face us in the ECF. Role reversal.

The Bucks/Hawks aren't even high-level practices in preparing for us... just like the Pistons/Hawks didn't allow us to be ready last year.

I still think that the previous series had little to do with our loss to Orlando last year.

Whether we had difficult games on the way to the ECF or not, we simply didn't have the personnel to match up with the Magic. Defensively we were too small in the backcourt and too slow in the frontcourt. That wasn't going to go away no matter what. With the possible exception of Mo's poor shooting, there wasn't a whole lot from that series that struck me as poor preparation on our part. It just didn't seem like we had the right guys.

This year, we match up far better with them. But Orlando still scares me more than any team in the league. Honestly they're probably the second best team right now, and when they get hot they can take down absolutely anyone. I think if you put them at their best vs. us at our best, you have a 7 game series.

And no matter what happens this round, if we both advance, I am certain that both teams will be totally amped up to play each other.

 

[chiefwahoo]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

I still think that the previous series had little to do with our loss to Orlando last year.

Whether we had difficult games on the way to the ECF or not, we simply didn't have the personnel to match up with the Magic. Defensively we were too small in the backcourt and too slow in the frontcourt. That wasn't going to go away no matter what. With the possible exception of Mo's poor shooting, there wasn't a whole lot from that series that struck me as poor preparation on our part. It just didn't seem like we had the right guys.

This year, we match up far better with them. But Orlando still scares me more than any team in the league. Honestly they're probably the second best team right now, and when they get hot they can take down absolutely anyone. I think if you put them at their best vs. us at our best, you have a 7 game series.

And no matter what happens this round, if we both advance, I am certain that both teams will be totally amped up to play each other.

All I'm saying is that we had a 20+ point lead on them in Game 1. They came storming back to give us our first test in a game in over a month. We didn't deal with it at all and lost. Once we lost home court in that series we were basically fucked. I agree that they created all kinds of matchup problems with the personnel we had last year. But I would still argue that the delays in between series and lack of a challenge did little to help prepare us for them. It's no excuse, they still beat us. But I'm liking the fact that the roles will be reversed this season. We are much better equipped to take them, but them facing no one before us should hopefully help the cause as well.

The Hawks are a pathetic excuse for a 3-seed in the playoffs. They are terrible.

 

[Kid A]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

Magic in 4

 

[col63onel]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

I've been trying to convince myself that Atlanta is so desperate with the impending Johnson free agency that they can make this a series. They are desperate, but I just don't see it getting past 5, at best. Atl does too much 1 on 1 offense, so all Dwight has to do is clean up everyone else mistakes.

 

[ice cream man]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

I don't expect a sweep, but I expect the Magic in 5 or 6.

Atlanta will have a better defensive strategy as far as going against Dwight. Plus Atlanta can shoot. Charlotte could not. I highly doubt that Atlanta doesn't win at least 1 game at home.

 

[Marcus]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

The Magic will sweep this series, showing the rest of the NBA that they are title favorites along with Cleveland and that the Hawks are pretenders.

 

[czvo]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks continue to employ the dumbest and laziest defensive strategy in the NBA... switching all screens.

 

[theSTEREO.]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

Oh my god! Howard got called for a foul!

The tragedy!!!!

 

[czvo]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

I have to say, that foul on Dwight was an awful call.

All players are taught to hold rebounds with their elbows out like that. Dwight simply turned around, he is entitled to that space. Josh Smith more or less ran his face into Dwight's elbow (seriously, he did), and Dwight picked up the foul.

I know the guy has a habit of throwing elbows, but in that case, he got screwed.

 

[Clevelandfan15]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

I don't think it will be a sweep. This well be like a tougher Bobcat match up for them.

 

[theSTEREO.]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

Why in the WORLD does this guy keep calling him "MARVADIN WILLIAMS"!!??

 

[theSTEREO.]

Re: #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

There it is again! Marvadin Williams!

The F?