As it neared tip, two questions entered my wandering mind:
1. Can the Hawks play as tight as they did during game 1 and
2. Will the Magic supporting group play as poorly as they did during game 1
Prediction is the Magic and Hawks will play well but the winning team will not be reversed. In a few minutes, the world will bear witness…
Tip took too long to toss as crowd anticipation was palatable and extremely loud on this Tuesday evening.
Howard controlled effortlessly. Richardson missed an easy jumper to begin the game while the Hawks hit a lucky leaner off the glass. Hedo found his way through a spreading defense to score the Magic’s first basket. After muscling heavy offensive rebounds, Bass walked to the line to tie the rumble at four.
Al Horford received his second foul within 2 minutes of play and earned a ticket to the bench… not a good thing for the Hawks.
Howard’s first true offensive set transpired at the 9:20 point. Result: turnover.
Magic’s first lead ensued after three minutes of play on Nelson’s two charity shots. Wearing a smile, he made a quick return coast to coast layup after another Hawk turnover. Thus far both teams played like this could be the last game of the season.
First time out occurred at the 5:39 point, finding the Magic trailing by 1, 11 to 10. At the 4:30 mark, Howard secured his third turnover. The game remained tight due to lack of offensive threats. Looking for the lead, Dwight found his fourth turnover just under a minute to play in the quarter.
Second time out at the 2:49 point and, if you happened to get away for popcorn, you didn’t miss much as production crept, the Magic held a 1 point
advantage, 12 to 11.
With time expired in the first, the Magic trailed 22 to 16.
First quarter rewind:
* J.J. Redick entered the game with 1.8 seconds, warmed by a lurid ovation
* Howard rarely touched the ball, securing 4 points (equaling his turnover amount)
* Magic made ZERO from outside the arc, missing five while hitting 6 out of 20 from inside the arc (ouch)
Down by 6, a frustrated Howard and company needed to find their gravity in a hurry and before another dizzy spell. Unfortunately for the vertigo sensitive, the Hawks brought the ball in, stole an offensive rebound, and tipped it in for an 8 point lead. On return, Howard made his first trip to the line, hitting both.
Suddenly down by 10, the Magic called time out with exactly 9 minutes to play in the half. Thus far it appeared as if all of the Orlando players (Howard included) were hesitant to shoot the ball while Atlanta seemed focused and more comfortable.
After a shot of adrenalin fueled by a diving steal from Redick, the Magic completed an alarming run of their own, shrinking Atlanta’s lead in half. At the 7:34 point, Hawks regrouped on the sideline.
Once back on court, the Hawks glided for an easy layup. Howard responded with a slam of his own. Next possession, Howard stood at the line to shoot two, hitting both. Magic, now down by 3, suddenly pocked luck as Atlanta missed another, creating an easy one for Howard.
Down by 1 and witnessing Atlanta miss once again, Howard landed himself on the line. His front end rimmed the first, swished the second… game tied at 34.
Fast forward: The Magic took the lead (40 to 39) thanks to Howard’s shooting at the line.
End of first half: Orlando 48, Atlanta 42
* Howard led all scorers with 24, plus 10 rebounds (accepting no rest)
* Points in the paint found Magic securing a 28 to 14 point gap
* Magic led in second chance points, 18 to 10
* Magic yet to connect beyond the arc, missing six attempts
Second half crowd noise proved a point… Orlando loves the Magic.
The second half began much like the first half concluded; with the Magic feeling this was their game.
Unfortunately, the feeling did not last long. Fortunately, Orlando was playing Atlanta.
Heads up: Magic’s first three pointer took root after 37 seconds of the third quarter and was fulfilled by Jason Richardson.
Unable to shake the pesky Hawks (Magic up 55 to 48), time out was called at the 5:41 mark. Thus far, sloppy play and short-lived defense defined both ends.
Holding an uneasy lead of 4 with only 144 seconds remaining in the third, Van Gundy engaged their team in a sideline board meeting. Upon return, Howard stepped to the line, hit his first and second (throw in a technical against the Hawks); Magic up by 7.
Third quarter, Magic up 65 to 54
* Shooting, in a word, sucked
* Hawks accumulated a total of 12 points for the quarter
* Howard, yet to take a rest, led all with 29 points, 17 rebounds
* Both questions posed in the beginning have been answered to my satisfaction
Fourth quarter played out as if both teams accepted destiny. To be fair, Atlanta did make it a game by getting to within 2 (78 to 76) with 120 seconds remaining. While on the subject, Howard secured his fifth foul and has yet to take a breather.
After 48 minutes, the Magic tied the series and will be packing for the trip to Atlanta.
Gotta run and catch the rye,
dhuffman
