Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 103, Magic 93

Orlando– We already knew the Hawks can defend the Magic but it’s possible they won’t be able to score like this through the entire series.

• The Hawks made 13 of 27 shots from 16 to 23 feet. That’s a high percentage even for a team that made them at a better clip than anyone other than the Mavs during the regular season.
• But, thanks in large part to J.J, the Hawks also had an effective Plan B (11 of 19 from 3 to 15 feet) and Plan C (21 of 29 free-throw attempts). That provides some evidence that the Hawks might be able to score when those long Js stop falling if they can make it a point to go to those other plans.
• “The primary problem is we couldn’t guard them at all,” Stan Van Gundy said.
• And, Xs and Os aside, the most important development might have been that the Hawks finally stood up to the Magic in a postseason game. That’s worth a lot for a team that was embarrassed in last year’s second round and staggered into the playoffs on a six-game losing streak.
• “People were a little frustrated with us because of those last six games but, for us, we didn’t even think about it,” Jamal said. “Last year’s series was last year’s series; we didn’t think about that, either. We feel confident going into the playoffs. We got one down, one more to go here.”
• “We are here to win,” Twin said. “We are not here to get a free T-shirt and head home or anything like that. We accomplished the fist step. We got the win tonight, and Part 2 is on Tuesday night.”
• Suddenly the questions about Atlanta’s state of mind have shifted to the Magic, who lost in their sparkling new arena to a team they thumped from the playoffs last spring.
• “It’s frustrating that we lost but it’s the first game,” Dwight said. “We’ll come back in the second game with a better effort.”
• The Magic can’t ask for anything more from Dwight. He was magnificent while scoring 46 points on 23 shots and grabbing 19 rebounds. But other than a 20-point eruption from Jameer in the third quarter, the Magic couldn’t find points from other sources.
• “Offensively we have to get better, move the ball, whatever,” Jameer said. “I don’t know. I really can’t put a finger on it right now.”
• The Hawks for the most part stayed straight up on Dwight even after he thrashed them for 31 points in the first half.
• “We came in at halftime and we knew that one player was not going to beat us,” Collins said. “Dwight can go out there and have 60 points. As long as we have 61, we will take that.”
• Twin and Zaza were in foul trouble early and the Hawks sent a parade of little-used big men at Dwight. He overpowered all of them more easily than he did Twin, who made entry passes tough enough that Dwight was called for lane violations three times.
• “He got in his head a little bit,” Josh said. “Even though Dwight had an explosive game I think he did a pretty good job on him, especially in that second half.”
• The Hawks kept Orlando off the 3-point line. Hinrich controlled Jameer on pick-and-rolls. That was pretty much all it took to slow Magic players who weren’t Dwight.
• “He was scoring but the other guys weren’t getting as many touches,” L.D. said. “That was just a decision I made to stay with that particular coverage. I did not want to open up any type of opportunities with their 3-point shooters.”
• J.J., Jamal and Hinrich outplayed Orlando’s group of Jameer, Arenas, J-Rich and Redick. “To be honest with you, their guards killed us,” Redick said.
• J.J. carried over the edge he showed from those final four games into Game 1. “I wanted to attack early and just try to make the game easier,” Joe said. “I was getting in there and making plays for myself and my teammates and it worked out.”
• Joe took it to J-Rich and Redick, shot over Dwight’s help D and generally made good decisions passing out of double teams. “When he does get the ball we know Dwight is coming over to double-team him,” L.D. said. “He just has to put himself in a position where he can score just a little bit faster.”
• “He has to keep that up,” Smoove said. “He’s our offensive leader as well as Jamal. What I always stress to him is make quick moves. That’s what he’s been doing.”
• Joe played 45 minutes. “I thought he got a little bit tired at the end,” Drew said. “I told him I was going to ride him all the way until the end. He’s our go-to guy.”
• Jamal was lax on getting around screens and containing Arenas on the dribble. But he more than offset that with 23 points on 14 shots, including 5 of 6 free throws, and delivered some daggers after halftime.
• Maybe Hinrich was just saving it for the playoffs. No longer was it a pick-and-roll horror show for the Hawks against the Magic.
• “He’s getting over screens. He’s fighting, picking up the point guard full court and turning him in the half court,” Josh said. “He’s doing a good job.”
• Kirk also was making his shots and had five rebounds.
• “His energy was really high,” Drew said. “His shot was looking good. I could see the confidence when he shot a couple of them in the first half.”
• Josh recovered from a poor start. He ended up taking eight of his 14 shots from closer than 15 feet. He kept his head in the game after some early foul trouble.
• “A couple of cheap fouls,” he said. “I stayed with it for the full 48 and I was able to show some production and help out a little bit in that third quarter.”
• The Hawks have a plan to beat the Magic. Now the test is sticking to it or improving it after Orlando goes back to the drawing board.
• “I am sure like us they are going to see what they can do better but it doesn’t matter for us,” Zaza said. “We know individually what we can do. If we play together for 48 minutes I think we should be in good shape. We are going to have a chance to win the series if we play just like today. Together, help each other defensively, share the ball. It was beautiful to watch our team.”

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat