Magic at Atlanta Hawks Game 3: Magic’s 3-point threats thwarted
Ryan Anderson had some telling comments the other day regarding Orlando’s shooting struggles in Games 1 and 2. As reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel Anderson said:
“They know how to guard us,” Anderson said. “They have a great game plan coming into these games. They’re trying to eliminate aspects of our offense that we’re really used to going through. We’re not getting as many open shots. We’re not getting as many 3s. So we just need to continue to work on the glass.”
It sounds like the Magic has made a focused effort to get offensive rebounds because they realize they need all of of the possessions they can get. Atlanta, using the Dwight Defense, has managed to eliminate what’s normally the second-most efficient part of Orlando’s offense.
The Magic have launched 45 3-point attempts in the two games and made just 11. For the season they averaged 25.6 attempts and 9.4 makes overall and 21 attempts and 4.8 makes against the Hawks, both lows vs. any opponent.
I fired up the Synergy Sports Technology machine to look at each of Orlando’s 45 3-point attempts in the series to see where the needle points on the “missing open shots vs. not getting many open shots” scale.
The verdict: The Magic haven’t gotten many clean looks but they got more in Game 2 than Game 1. By my subjective count, in Game 1 Orlando players got nine good looks on 3-point attempts (with two of those in garbage time) and made three. In Game 2 they got 13 clean looks on 3-point attempts and made four (J.J. actually closed out pretty strong on that that J-Rich dagger). Those totals don’t count two long heaves at the buzzer by the Magic.
How did the Magic get those clean looks? A breakdown:
Game 1
- Turkoglu missed after Josh failed to get around a screen.
- Anderson missed on a secondary fast break.
- Turkoglu missed after Etan switched off to hm.
- Arenas made a 3 after Jamal doubled Dwight (that’s the one).
- J-Rich missed as Jamal watched.
- Jameer made a 3 after Jamal spun around a screen.
- Jameer made a 3 as Jamal closed weakly.
- Jameer missed in garbage time 3 after Dwight crumpled Hinrich with a screen.
- Turkoglu missed a 3 that the Hawks pretty much let him shoot in garbage time.
Game 2
- Turkoglu missed a transition 3 set up by Jameer.
- Jameer missed a spot-up 3 after Jamal closed weakly in a scramble after an off offensive rebound.
- J-Rich made a quick-release 3 after a weak close-out by J.J.
- J-Rich missed a spot-up 3 off a Dwight post up after Hinrch and Smoove appeared to mix up the coverage.
- Redick missed a spot-up 3 after a weak close out by Smoove.
- Bass missed a 3 on a secondary break.
- Turkoglu missed a 3 off a Dwight screen after both Josh and Zaza went with Dwight.
- Redick missed a long 3 as Jamal watched.
- Turkoglu made a 3 as Joe made a half-hearted effort to get over a screen.
- Anderson made a spot-up 3 on secondary break after Zaza made a good effort on a close out but got there late.
- Anderson missed a spot-up 3 after a scramble caused by Jameer’s dribble penetration against Jamal.
- Anderson made a 3 after Marvin bit on a pass fake.
- Anderson missed a spot-up 3 after Al and J.J. switched and J.J. was late on the close.
Five thoughts after looking at those plays:
1. The Magic recognize that Jamal isn’t fighting over screens, providing much resistance against dribble penetration or keeping track of his man when they rebound misses. They are looking to exploit all of those weaknesses to set up 3-point shots.
2. All of the other Atlanta perimeter players have been generally sound in their efforts to limit 3s.
3. Hinrich’s awareness and ability to cover a lot of ground really helps Atlanta’s cause–there were a handful of 3-point attempts where he helped off his man and still was able to recover and challenge kick-out 3s.
3. Stan Van Gundy’s quip that “I don’t really have a strategy for getting guys to shoot the ball well” applied more in Game 2 than Game 1 and is relevant to Turkoglu most of all. Closer to the truth is that Van Gundy doesn’t really have a strategy to get guys clean looks against the Dwight Defense.
4. Atlanta’s length bothers Orlando’s shooters so late close-outs or even the threat of them tend to make the Magic rush their 3-point attempts.
5. The Magic have gotten exactly one clean look off a 3-pointer from a Dwight post-up.
Notes
- L.D. on Dwight the Ironman: “He’s a specimen. He’s got the potential to play at that level for 48 minutes. I hope he doesn’t. “
- L.D. on J.J.: “I expect him to be a little bit more aggressive. His decision-making was not as good in Game 2.”
- L.D. on the remarkable Twin effect vs. Orlando: “He’s a solid defender. He knows how to play his position. He knows how to defend the post. Defending Dwight is not an easy job.”
- Twin drew a couple charges in Games 1 and 2 against guys other than Dwight. That seemed a bit risky to me since a foul for Twin against anyone else seems like a waste. L.D., though, said he likes it: “That’s how he plays. He’s about winning basketball. He doesn’t care who the player is he is going to step up and make the play. I wish we could get more play like that out of everybody. That’s just who he is.”
- Twin on Van Gundy and Dwight’s reaction to his comments about getting physical with Dwight: “I know this is not their first playoff series. This is not the first time they’ve heard someone say they need to be physical guarding Dwight Howard.”
- Pape Sy’s cousin, Almamy Soumah, is in town from France. He’s a journalist for the French Web site basketsession.com. He’s also 6-foot-6 and a cool dude.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks basketball
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
502 comments Add your comment
Mike W
April 22nd, 2011
11:14 pm
What a shot!luck it is what it is.Dont care how you take it a WIN IS A WIN. Hawks win Go Hawks!!.Cant wait for game 4 and hope hawks win annd go up 3-1
Najeh Davenpoop
April 22nd, 2011
11:14 pm
I gotta download this game when I get home. Can’t see Keri Hilson’s fine ass from section 411 where I was sitting.
Rev in Tampa
April 22nd, 2011
11:15 pm
terrell,
I have a LA Dodgers scout in my church and he tells me that a coach calling out a player in public is the best way to discipline a professional player.
Ole Hawks Fan
April 22nd, 2011
11:15 pm
Will Josh learn anything from his play in this game? Just wondering……….
NERVOUS
April 22nd, 2011
11:16 pm
FIRE WOODY, PLEASE
terrell
April 22nd, 2011
11:16 pm
Stan Van “we just struggle so much when Dwights not on the floor.”
Blame your GM for that one.
terrell
April 22nd, 2011
11:17 pm
Rev, I guess thats why the Dodgers suck.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 22nd, 2011
11:18 pm
Record!
I said it before game 1: the winner of games 1 & 3 wins the series in best of 5. Now 7! This is a 5 game series once we took game 1 and lost game 2.
Im so happy right now, I can’t breathe!
JAMAL just signed a new Hawks contract tonight!
He is special and this is his team in the play offs!
When he read the blog tonight, he will shake his head for yall calling the swagger-dagger LUCK? Did yall see him flash his jersey Nimber 11?
Priceless! He will get that extension for sure now!
Way to go SUND! That’s your pick, #11! Mark my words, it ain’t over – Jamal will do it again! He crossed that fool up!
Kick Rocks – Jameer!
Worldwide Clyde
April 22nd, 2011
11:21 pm
Najeh bump Keri Hilson. He older sister Kaycee is the truth. She is the only woman that could make me give up going to Rio right now.
Rev in Tampa
April 22nd, 2011
11:24 pm
Reporters called zaza a “goon” while they interviewed Jamal. It must have been an Orlando reporter.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
April 22nd, 2011
11:26 pm
Wow! Worldwide: Kaycee Hilson I am googling her now dude.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 22nd, 2011
11:28 pm
Did yall see Drew sit Josh after every bad shot? And kami-kaze pass?
We’re seeing Play Off Drew in full effect now!
No tolerating BS!
Game Ball goes to ZaZa! Do yall think he will be suspended by Stern?
I don’t, Jason should though, he mushed ZaZa in the face and started the altercation, ZaZa was walking away! He was kewl!
ZAZA put the BEST D on Dwight, I ever saw! Collins was great too!
doc
April 22nd, 2011
11:30 pm
awesome crowd
cudo to zaza huge, jamal clutch and lucky and jason for bringing the best out in this team
refs suck and seemed on the stern gravy train tonight. one foul called across the court and an air foul on kh. redicuolus.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 22nd, 2011
11:30 pm
Zaza is a goon. That is a compliment.
doc
April 22nd, 2011
11:32 pm
the true goon is howard with his elbows flying and taking guys out when refs wont call it. zaza just answered his physicality and wouldnt be intimidated. nice physical game.
Worldwide Clyde
April 22nd, 2011
11:42 pm
Doc what up. They need to put a statue of Zaza outside of Philips Arena.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 22nd, 2011
11:50 pm
NO getting punked at home by 12 … 5 mins to go!
But NOT my Hawks tho. -wink- wink-
mykhalc
April 22nd, 2011
11:52 pm
a W is a W…nice physical game by Zaza…way to get lucky Jamal…AAU basketball at its’ best!!!!
drmaryb (*_-)
April 22nd, 2011
11:52 pm
Worldwide!
“Doc what up. They need to put a statue of Zaza outside of Philips Arena.”
____________
Fo Reel! Sho Nuff!
Section 303
April 22nd, 2011
11:57 pm
Yes!!!!!
I almost passed out after Jamal’s 3. Seriously, I almost did. Still a little light headed. That’s the loudest I have ever heard Philips Arena. Hope a lot of you were there.
I’m totally spent. Great win.
And, I’m a Michigan State Alum and still a major supporter of MSU football and b-ball. But, I was hoping Zaza would kick J-Rich’s a$$. Tired of these teams thinking they can waltz in to Atlanta and just bully the Hawks. You never see these teams act like that against any other team.
Go HAWKS!! I’m outta here. Need to go to bed. I am just done for the night.
Grandad
April 22nd, 2011
11:59 pm
- Mary Ellen -
Jamal has a certain “panache” don’t you think?
drmaryb (*_-)
April 23rd, 2011
12:02 am
The Best Trade Never Made!
“Zaza is a goon.”. -Najeh-
_________________
What’s a goon to a gobblin?
drmaryb (*_-)
April 23rd, 2011
12:04 am
Najeh!
Please tell me where do I go to down load this game?
Please share.
UGA1989
April 23rd, 2011
12:08 am
Big Al,
Dwight won’t be suspended because the number of technicals he had during the regular season are wiped out. It starts over for the postseason and they don’t get as many.
hawer
April 23rd, 2011
12:10 am
It’s just really hard to understand what is going through Josh Smiths mind when you see him pumping up three after three and long 2’s in a critical situation. I don’t know if he is selfish, lazy, stupid or a combination of the three, but he needs to get inside and mix it up… If he has the ball at the end of the 24 second clock or they are 24 points ahead fine but otherwise go inside JS go inside.
Big Al
April 23rd, 2011
12:16 am
Thanks UGA1989. Guess that was wishful thinking. Eh, we can beat Dwight anyway. Bring ‘em on!
doc
April 23rd, 2011
12:23 am
w clyde you been calling it right so far, bro, very good game by zaza. he was huge after twin started it out. i dont know the stats but it seemed like dwight did not get his usual mojo going at all and missed more than he has in a long time and he got very rfrustrated. good defense brought out the goons in them as richardson was having to “protect” his big man. i didnt see what started it, did anyone get a look at the “fight”?
mk you still standing and giving the braves some love this weekend dude?
josh didnt have the handle to go anywhere and looked to have twisted his knee earl in the game. he couldnt move anywhere it seemed. he did play pretty good defense i thought on the turk.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 23rd, 2011
12:25 am
Panache!
Yes G-Daddy! We should have saved our Kroger-Bucks for this game right here! Next time WE will be there. Even when they went up by 2, I was never in doubt we would win!
Game Ball goes to Larry Drew!
He coached his azz off, never panicked, sat Josh azz down, so he could learn and stepped up his game!
Drew may go down as the Best play off coach in Hawks history if, he takes us to the ECF! Drew did a hell of a job! He pushed all the right buttons! I make have to Xancel my T-Shirt order with worldwide!
Sorry, Clyde … But, your BOI came thru in a big way!
He did put Teague in, but more importantly, he didn’t let Josh throw this game away. He also managed the 2 foul rule, by throwing that ISH out the window. That might work in the regular, but there is no place for that foolishness in the play offs! I’m sure Sund and Gearon told him to squash that ISH and put their money ballers on the floor till they foul out!
Hey, rookie coach is learning too!
M10
April 23rd, 2011
12:26 am
I cannot stand when Espn let Jon Barry commentate Hawks game he is annoying as H##.I rather listen to Hubbie Brown.
Mike W
April 23rd, 2011
12:26 am
did anybody else see the highlight video of game on nba.com.Look at part where j rich walking out arena think round 2:10 mark and tthe lady in video look like she got two gum drop buttons on her lol
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2011
12:28 am
Yes JC1 is steppin up BIGTIME….
BTW Larry almost fell out on the scorers table when JC1 hit the winning shot was because as we have always known he designed another play to attack the basket and of course the players did not listen..Jamal went into iso mode to git’er down………..!
Big up to Barry calling out Josh for taking those stupid brick 3’s..HE’LL NEVER GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHOP HIS AZZ IN THE SUMMER..LD you should of benched Josh back in October!!!!!
ALLSTAR AL is BRUTAL TO WATCH IN THE POST..ITS LIKE FINGER NAILS SCRATCHING A BLACKBOARD….YIKES…
Coaching 101, never put Allstar Al and Josh on the strong side with Al in the paint and Josh camped out at the 3pt. line. 9 times outta 10, Al will pass it back out because he has no handle, so there should be a guard out there not pig headed Josh to throw up bricks………….
FYI, HOWARD IS A PUNK……………
drmaryb (*_-)
April 23rd, 2011
12:30 am
O’Brien!
Where you at BOI? I’m waiting for your comments!
Looks like we ran off Superior-Negative! Where is his complaining
Debbie-Downer butt tonight? He must be really pissed right about now.
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2011
12:33 am
IMAGINE IF ALLSTAR AL PLAYED WITH CP3
IT WOULD KINDA LOOK LIKE WORTHY AND MAGIC…WORTHY HAD BASEBALL MITTS,SO HE COULD NOT DRIBBLE TO SAVE HIMSELF, HE WOULD JUST RUN WITH MAGIC AND FINISH AT THE RIM AND ENTER INTO THE HALL OF FRAME W/O A HANDLE….
STOP DREAMING SLIMJR
JeJe
April 23rd, 2011
12:36 am
There’s no way in HELL ZaZa should be suspended for that BS.
His headbutt was so light that it’s almost not noteworthy. He had the same damn headbutt vs. KG in 2008. Was he suspended for that? NO
J.Rich instigated the whole thing and slapped ZaZa. he is the one who should be suspended (Melo got 15 games – remember). If they are both suspended, we need Joe TO GO OFF
AND JOE CAN YOU PLEASE START MAKING YOUR DAMN FREE THROWS? HOW DO U GO 0-2 IN ONE TRIP?
JAMAL I DONT CARE IF U HIT THE BIG SHOT. YOUR DEFENSE STINKS. STEP IT UP MAN
AND CAN WE PLEASE PLAY DAMIEN OVER MARVIN. MARVIN IS SUCH AN INVISIBLE JOKE
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2011
12:39 am
Marivn”LEAD BUTT” was weighted down tonight…LOL
JeJe
April 23rd, 2011
12:42 am
It PISSES me off when I see players say “the pressure’s on them now” after we won Game 3. STFU already. Just treat every game as a must-win and finish the series. Don’t be surprised if we come out soft Sunday because our players have that mentality.
Our team genius Smoove implied that we just needed 1 win in Orlando
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2011
12:44 am
bone head- Smoove= Josh
JeJe
April 23rd, 2011
12:47 am
I’m still waiting on Kirk to get into an altercation, but it seems like he and Jameer are pretty cool with each other
drmaryb (*_-)
April 23rd, 2011
12:49 am
JJM
Thanks for the Keri Hilson link:
But, my B-Berry said this:
“The URL contained a malformed video ID.”
__________________
But, I will try it from my PC.
___________________
Dang CP3 baby boy head ’bout as big as ZaZa’s?
He is so cute tho. Tons of personality. He said, “Daddy”
Grabbed the mike and talking up a storm! He coughed, CP3 said, “cover your mouth.”. Had to put that Lil’ Brat – Down!”
I really like CP3 though, very professional young man. A class act.
Too bad, he is not ours! Thanks BK! That’s why you’re pruning trees now.
Sleepy
April 23rd, 2011
12:50 am
Slimjr that last play was a pick and roll with JJ and jamal designed to see if they would switch Jameer onto JJ but they didnt so the 6′5 #24 all time in made three pointers jamal crawford sized up the 5′9 Nelson and rose and shot over him.as shenaynay in the 4th row called bank …….game over
JeJe
April 23rd, 2011
12:55 am
Honestly,
The only time I see this team get the ball inside is when Joe does that floater (which he is s uccessful at) or Smoove drives and does the hookshot. Other than that, it’s all jumpshots.
It may be nice watching Jamal hit fadeaway 3s, but that won’t happen much vs teams like Chi, BOS, or Mia
WE NEED EASY BASKETS
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2011
12:57 am
@Sleepy thanks, LD got bailed out!! We’ll take it Sir!!!! LOL
Jae Evolution
April 23rd, 2011
12:59 am
Josh Smith and Marvin Williams for Minnesota 1st Rd. pick and Michael Beasley. We draft Kyrie Irving and pickup a legit FA Center. Eastern conference title contender…
I would say get a new HC, but LD has impressed me this post-season minus his stupid sub patterns in game 2.
MsDee
April 23rd, 2011
1:06 am
Orlando has no answer for Jamal!! This is the Jamal of last season showing up for the playoffs that he never had. Last season was his 1st experience since being in the league for 9 seasons and was very very very nervous, so last year doesnt count. But THIS season, he has a playoff under his belt and is now ready for the kill!! As long as we are in the playoffs, during 1 and 2nd round, this Jamal will be here cause he is playing for a CONTRACT, and I’m so glad he is on our team playing for that CONTRACT!!
sam'l
April 23rd, 2011
1:12 am
Great win….Jamal slapping and high fiving like he enjoyed being the hero…….
I’m not so happy with Josh Smith……He almost gave the game away…..
Teague was in over his head…..
Horford was “a beast”
At the start of the third quarter, Atlanta looked like a very confused team. What is the problem here? but Jamal saved us….
Sleepy
April 23rd, 2011
1:12 am
Spot on Ms Dee . I recall someone saying before game one that Jamal was gonna do Rod Tidwell and boy is he giving it to us .
Hawks fan down under
April 23rd, 2011
1:13 am
I see LD got rid of his 2 foul rule. Thank God. Heinrich was playing really well.
mykhalc
April 23rd, 2011
1:13 am
yo doc…i’m still standin’!!!LOL you know i can only get so excited while watchin’ our AAU team!!! just gotta be the worst offense sets in the league. but like i said…a W is a W. only thing i can hope is that NOBODY is buyin’ into the FOOL’S GOLD!!??? i’m all for enjoyin’ whatever the playoffs might bring…but BIG changes still need to happen with this ‘collection’ of players and the owners and the HC!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 23rd, 2011
1:16 am
drmaryb, the game should be up for downloading on this forum soon if it is not already.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 23rd, 2011
1:18 am
“did anybody else see the highlight video of game on nba.com.Look at part where j rich walking out arena think round 2:10 mark and tthe lady in video look like she got two gum drop buttons on her lol”
Haha I’m glad someone else noticed.
It shows up at about 0:35 in this video.