NBA Playoffs 2011: The Hawks Have Finally Proved They’re Better Than the Magic In First-Round Series
The Atlanta Hawks are one game away from getting over their playoff hump against Dwight Howard and the Magic. Last postseason, the Hawks were utterly embarrassed, blowing them out in every one of Orlando’s four victories.
But this series has been different, Atlanta has been the more calm, collected and technically sound squad. The Magic seem out of sync and haven’t gotten any consistency from their role players. They surprisingly have had trouble shooting from the beyond the arc, which is what usually fuels them to victory.
The Hawks have more continuity as well. The Magic aren’t on the same page with their reconstructed lineup after their mid-season trade.
The front-court of Al Horford and Josh Smith haven’t exactly slowed down Howard, but they keep the pressure off Atlanta’s talented guard tandem of Joe Johnson and off-the-bench sparkplug Jamal Crawford.
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Prediction
The Hawks are too athletic, and extremely hot right now with loads of confidence. If they don’t end the series tonight in Orlando, they get it done in Game 6 inside the Highlight Factory. The Hawks are my darkhorse in the East.