Magic 114, Hawks 71 (Magic lead 1-0)

Domination is an understatement.  The Magic looked like a championship team in Game 1 of the 2nd round vs. the Hawks.  Out of all the games in the playoffs for whatever reason I followed this one the closest from start to finish (I guess I just had some extra time on my hands).  DA-wight Howard was a man posessed.  He looked like Shaq on the Magic in the 90′s, quick, dominant and had sick post moves.  Howard had 21-12-5 but watching him play I thought he had 40-55-20.  That’s how dominant he was on the boards and defensive end.

The Magic were flowing well together, it was a complete 180 from the last series vs. the Bobcats.  Nelson to Howard was an unstoppable alley-oop combo.  The Hawks played like garabage, it was embarassing.  They finished the game shooting 34% and I honestly didn’t think they would crack 70 points, and they almost didn’t.  I kinda wish I was at this game, the fans were so loud and intense and any time you see your team get a blowout win in the playoffs it’s awesome (not that the Magic are my favorite team but I’m rooting for them).

Key to the series for the Hawks:
1.  The Hawks need to shut down Howard.  Plain and simple.  Howard only had 3 fouls all game and held Horford to 1-7 shooting.  So not only does Howard need to be stopped on offense but defense as well.
2.  The Hawks also need to step it up on D.  Anyone who has watched a Magic games know they like to shoot 3′s.  Granted the Magic were only 9-23 but out of those 23 about 2 were contested; the Magic had way too many open looks.
3.  Crawford needs to be better than 1-11 or this series is over in 4.
4.  Jason Collins played 4:30 and had 3 fouls; never let him touch the court in the playoffs… EVER.

Keys to the series for the Magic:
1.  Don’t stop feeding Howard the ball.
2.  Keep penetrating.  Nelson was able to cut through the Hawks defense with ease for the most part.  Any time he got to the lane it was a lob to Howard or Air France Pietrus.
3.  Don’t stop shooting 3′s.  They had so many open looks and they will continue to shoot and they will consistantly make 8-12 a game.  If they keep that up they will win in 4 and roll into the conference finals. 

-The Basher