We’re LIVE from Hawks-Magic: Can they make it a series?
Mike Woodson's Hawks have been inconsistent in the playoffs.
There’s a saying in sports that a playoff series doesn’t really begin until a team loses a home game.
It’s understandable if you’re not feeling that way after seeing the Hawks dismembered in Game 1 and fizzle in Game 2 against Orlando, losing two games of this playoff series by a combined 57 points. But back now in Philips Arena, where all is usually well, this is the Hawks’ last chance to show a pulse — and maintain it for 48 minutes.
It has been stated enough times in this corner but here we go again: The Hawks are at the point in their evolution where they shouldn’t be defined by the regular season (53-29) but by the postseason (4-3 over undermanned Milwaukee; 0-2 against Orlando).
Granted, only the most optimistic of folks projected them to beat Orlando in this series. The Magic reached the finals last year. They may win the championship this year. They’re superior at basketball’s two key positions: center and point guard.
But what you wanted to see from the Hawks this series is passion, intelligence and consistency under fire, and too often that hasn’t been the case.
Can they win tonight? Absolutely. In a 2-0 series, the trailing home team tends to play its best game, knowing at 3-0 the series probably is over. (For what it’s worth, Las Vegas has this as a close game: The Magic are favored by 2 to 2 1/2 points.)
The Hawks’ objectives shouldn’t change: pound Dwight Howard inside as much as possible with rotating hackers (Zaza Pachulia, Joe Smith, Jason Collins). Play pressure defense to try and force turnovers. Hope Orlando doesn’t get hot from trey-range. See where you’re at in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks are 37-8 at home this year (34-7 in the regular season; 3-1 in the playoffs). However, Philips Arena is not a cure all. We saw Milwaukee win Game 5 here to push the Hawks to the brink of elimination in the first round.
In fact, since winning four straight home playoff games in 2008 (3-0 vs. Boston) and 2009 (first game vs. Miami), the Hawks have gone only 5-4 at Philips. The breakdown: 2-1 in the rest of the Miami series, 0-2 vs. Cleveland, 3-1 vs. Milwaukee.
So what do you think. Can the Hawks make a series of this? We’ll be here blogging live during the game, but let’s hear your predictions now.
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484 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
5:23 pm
Crawford getting ready to come in. Team needs someone who can hit a basket right now.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
5:24 pm
Hawks now 4-15, missed at least their last 5 shots.
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
May 8th, 2010
5:25 pm
True Jeff: Well folks Mike Woodson wanted to focus on defense how does it look so far? He’s burned two time outs the last 5 minutes.
Jeff D.
May 8th, 2010
5:25 pm
Is it just me or does it seem like Vince Carter is playing HORSE or in a dunk contest every time he plays the Hawks?
Mystikal
May 8th, 2010
5:25 pm
Big Al knows how to deliver!!!!!!!!!
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:26 pm
3 uncontested layups at the rim. This team just has no heart and it comes from their unemotional “leader” Joe Johnson. I’m glad he’s got great handle but he can’t hit water from the boat.
todd grantham
May 8th, 2010
5:27 pm
Jeffrey, is the defensive switching ploy working as well as usual?
dawgfan13
May 8th, 2010
5:27 pm
The Hawks need to cut ties with Mike Woodson, Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby. I am not sure who will fill those roles but this team i snot built to win anything but a lot of regular season games and a first round series. They look dead, they look like they dont wanna be on the court. Its embarassing!
todd grantham
May 8th, 2010
5:28 pm
4 for 15 is even bad in baseball.
Zach
May 8th, 2010
5:29 pm
Joe’s feeling his wallet get a little lighter with every missed shot. Maybe he should start making them.
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:29 pm
Someone get Joe Johnson a layup…maybe he might actually make it.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
5:29 pm
Todd Grantham — Maybe they should switch to a 3-4 like everybody else, huh?
Mr. Phil
May 8th, 2010
5:31 pm
Sure would be nice if we had a real leader/superstar. I blame no one but Joe Johnson for our current state of affairs. Drop this guy and get us a real star in here. PLEASE!!!!
Zach
May 8th, 2010
5:31 pm
Dawgfan13,
The dawgs need to cut ties with Richt, every thug on their team(so…the whole roster), all their fans. I’m not sure who would fill that roll, but I heard that georgia state is starting a new team.
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:31 pm
It’s amazing that a team built on jumpshooting can’t hit a jumpshot.
little dave
May 8th, 2010
5:31 pm
JJ the JOKE
Zach
May 8th, 2010
5:32 pm
Joe can’t even make it when it doesn’t count.
todd grantham
May 8th, 2010
5:32 pm
its always worked for me.
nemowin
May 8th, 2010
5:32 pm
Zaza made an excellent play on D-12’s last foul. I’m sure that Dwight’s blocking foul prevented a stellar array of footwork and offensive moves. Would’ve been great to see him unleash the torture chamber a la McCale if not for the foul. That wasn’t.
Mr. Phil
May 8th, 2010
5:32 pm
Joe “joke the choke” johnson
Zach
May 8th, 2010
5:34 pm
thank goodness we have jamal
todd grantham
May 8th, 2010
5:34 pm
2/3 zone is what i would suggest in the Hawks case.
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:34 pm
I don’t think this team can beat Orlando’s second unit.
harry the hawk
May 8th, 2010
5:34 pm
Jeff, if the players aren’t listening you’ve just confirmed one of the major reasons why we need a new coach!
little dave
May 8th, 2010
5:35 pm
allstar my arse
Zach
May 8th, 2010
5:35 pm
that was a “i don’t want it…you take it” pass by joe to crawford
buick59
May 8th, 2010
5:35 pm
at least it will be over soon
Mr. Phil
May 8th, 2010
5:35 pm
Joe Johnson is one of the WORST all stars I have seen.
nemowin
May 8th, 2010
5:35 pm
Matt Barnes shooting is ATL’s best defense.
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:36 pm
If this isn’t an indication that Woodson needs to go, i’m not sure what is. No sense of urgency from the team in a damn must win home game. 28 pts and that’s without Dwight making a damn shot.
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
May 8th, 2010
5:36 pm
Zack (cracker) don’t be racist no need for that thug comment.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
5:37 pm
Harry The Hawk — That’s certainly a valid argument.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
5:38 pm
Down by 10 after 1. This isn’t going well. Led by Josh (6) and Jamal (5) — and as you all know by now, Joe has 0.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
5:38 pm
Also, Hawks are shooting on 7 for 22 from floor (Joe 0-5).
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
May 8th, 2010
5:39 pm
Lets see how we do without no Howard on the defensvie end.
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:40 pm
Unreal…J.J. Reddick drives the lane.
todd grantham
May 8th, 2010
5:41 pm
Jeff, is the crowd helping at all?
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
May 8th, 2010
5:42 pm
another time out by woodson!!!
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:42 pm
stick a fork in the Hawks.
Zach
May 8th, 2010
5:44 pm
FIRE MIKE WOODSON,
Me, racist. Never heard that one before. Thugs are thugs, white or black or green or yellow. UGA is full of the. By the way wasn’t the last guy kicked off the team white? the qb?
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
5:45 pm
Todd — They’re down by 13. Enough said.
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:48 pm
I told ya, they can’t even play with the second unit.
nemowin
May 8th, 2010
5:48 pm
Don’t be surprised when The Polish Hammer starts swatting shots. As I write that, Josh Smith continues to loaf and complain.
chad
May 8th, 2010
5:49 pm
Marvin Williams is pathetic.
buick59
May 8th, 2010
5:49 pm
Hey Hawks, the Varsity is always looking for more bell hops. Might be better at that.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 8th, 2010
5:49 pm
Lawd have muhhhsey, we stink!
If the Hawks resign JJ for the max, they’re CRAZY.
This is, in NO way, even CLOSE, to being a truly elite team.
Matt
May 8th, 2010
5:49 pm
Josh Smith>Rasheed Wallace as a whiner?
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
5:50 pm
Nothing like an airball to fire up the troops.
MitchC
May 8th, 2010
5:50 pm
Unless they mount a huge comeback, the Hawks are going down in this series in a sweep. If they lose today, I think they will be psychologically beaten, and will succumb quietly in Game Four.
FIRE MIKE WOODSON EXPRESS
May 8th, 2010
5:50 pm
New coach please.