Hawks lose to Magic but prove something in process
Josh Smith and the Hawks threw a scare into the Orlando Magic again Tuesday night but fell short and lost game two. (AP photo)
ORLANDO – They won game one and threw a scare into Orlando in game two.
Forget the odds. Forget the mood swings of the regular season. Forget the part of you that says, “I don’t like this team. I don’t trust this team. They’re going nowhere.”
The Hawks didn’t guarantee themselves a playoff series upset with their performances in Orlando. But they certainly sent a message in game two that game one wasn’t a fluke. After winning the series opener Saturday, they led the heavily favored and desperate Magic by as much as 10 points in the second quarter, fizzled, fell behind by 14 in the fourth, looked dead and then showed the fight and resiliency that too often was missing this season to pull to within two at 78-76 with two minutes left.
In the end, they ran out of gasps and spasms, losing 88-82 Tuesday night. But Orlando walked off their home court with their hearts nearly jumping out of their chest — and this time Jameer Nelson didn’t make a stop to make a crack about catching Chicago in the second round.
“We believed before we came down here, and we still believe we can win this series,” Kirk Hinrich said.
The Magic were a little more physical and aggressive defensively. The Hawks didn’t shoot nearly as well (39.5 percent) as in the series opener. They also didn’t handle the ball as well. They also went to the free throw line only 17 times (making 11), compared to Orlando’s 36 (29 made).
That’s an 18-point difference. Welcome to the NBA’s well-chronicled swing officiating.
Coach Larry Drew wouldn’t comment on the discrepancy, saying only: “We lost a composure a little in the first half.”
Al Horford was a key for the Hawks in the second half when he got going. But his absence in first half after two early fouls hurt them. (AP photo)
The bigger issue was losing Al Horford. He drew two fouls in the first two minutes and Drew made the curious decision — as he has all season — to sit Horford out for the remainder of the half. When Horford got back into game in the second half, he looked out of rhythm and didn’t hit his first bucket until the fourth. The Hawks were outrebounded 52-39. Orlando had 20 offensive boards — most of those when Horford was on the bench.
“I got taken out of the game quick in the first half — I feel like that affected us,” Horford said. “They had 16 offensive rebounds in the first half. That’s something I have to be more conscious about. I was out of rhythm. It took me a while to get going. The team played well but we just missed some shots.”
The Magic led by as much as 14 early in the fourth quarter. The Hawks looked dead. Even when Dwight Howard (33 points) drew his fifth foul with 5:40 left, they trailed by 12 points, 78-66, and the offense was out of rhythm. The starting backcourt of Joe Johnson and Hinrich were a combined 7 for 23.
But they didn’t fold. Again.
They went on an 8-0 run, including two baskets by Johnson, to close Orlando’s lead to four points with 2:43 left. After an Orlando timeout, Horford stole a pass and then finished off a give-and-go with Josh Smith with a dunk to pull to 78-76. The Hawks bench erupted.
Could this happen again? No. This time the rally fell short. A three-pointer by Jason Richardson with 1:03 left pretty much buried them at 83-76.
The Hawks led by as much as 10 points in the first half, and for a while were playing possibly their best basketball of the season. They defended well, had few turnovers, drove to the basket and rarely took a bad shot. Howard had as many turnovers as points (four each) in the first quarter, and once again seemed bothered by the play of Jason Collins.
The market correction came later.
It was an interesting past two days. Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy scrambled to decipher out how they could lose a game when Dwight Howard scored 46 points. General manager Otis Smith openly criticized the game one performance of forward Hedo Turkoglu, possibly as an attempt to distract fans who’ve been busy throwing Smith under the bus since a seven-player December trade that brought Turkoglu and Richardson to town and sent Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Michael Pietrus away.
Then there were the Magic fans, who are worried enough about Howard opting out of his contract after next season, or possibly forcing a trade this summer, Carmelo-style, if their team gets bounced by the Hawks.
They’re a little calmer in Orlando now. But they know they’re in for a series.
By Jeff Schultz
Last few Hawks blogs
– Collins’ comments get attention of Van Gundy, Howard
– Hawks’ Collins ready for game 2 (round 2?) against Howard
– Van Gundy: Hawks’ Hinrich deal better than Carmelo trade
– Playoff win shows Hawks haven’t quit on Larry Drew
– Hawks surprise us again — this time by stunning Magic
♦
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91 comments Add your comment
Double Zero Eight
April 20th, 2011
8:42 am
Close only counts in the game of “horse shoes”. They
proved they can lose a close game. Big deal!
The officiating was terrible. The refs. got Stern’s
message apparently.
LakeDawg
April 20th, 2011
8:49 am
Typical NBA. The worst officiating in all of sports. The refs make sure the stars advance. The only star in this series is D. Howard and they weren’t going to let him go down 2 games to none. Incredibly, the Hawks almost overcame the officiating and bad shooting to win anyway. I’ve officially changed my prediction. I think the Hawks win in seven.
Priest Lauderdale
April 20th, 2011
9:05 am
I could’ve been an NBA All-Star and difference maker if I were allowed to set at least 20 moving screens in a game like Dwight Howard. What a joke…..where’s the love for Priest?
gcs
April 20th, 2011
9:25 am
Three more games and the season is over.
.
Dawglasville
April 20th, 2011
9:34 am
Well the Hawks have shown heart at least. I’m not sure that they played with brains. Drew keeping Horford on the bench the entire second quarter was crazy. I can’t believe the Hawks are letting the Magic get away with the hard picks they are setting. They let Curt Thomas do the same thing last year. They knock you to the floor, you knock them to the floor. They have gotten to Howard too. 48 minutes of pounding has taken it’s toll. Zsa Zsa did a great job on him in the fourth. He looked ready to punch someone by the end of the game.
egeagle
April 20th, 2011
10:02 am
Playoff officiating killed the NBA for me long ago when I went to Atl-Boston and ATL-Detroit games in the 80s. It was and is so blantantly obvious that I don’t care to watch the NBA any more. Back in the day, if Darrell Garretson or Ed O’Donnell were working the game, chalk up the Hawks’ loss. ‘Nique would get throttled by Mahorn or Laimbeer, but let a Hawk breathe in Crysaih’s direction.25 years haven’t changed a thing.
Dawglasville
April 20th, 2011
10:04 am
Hinrich, Johnson, Williams (not a fan of), Horford, Howard would be a really nice line up next year. It will never happen because, “We got Spirit. Yes we do. We got Spirit…”
I’m sick of Josh. He reminds me of every salesman I’ve ever known. Make a big sale and get complacent. Live off of that commission. Josh makes an unreal play and then walks around the court like he owns it. “I made Sports Center. I’ve done my job tonight.”
Joseph
April 20th, 2011
10:48 am
The Hawks had to beat the Magic and the refs. What a shame. The refs were obviously helping the great Dwight with some get back. That’s just how it is when the star complains after game one. The lack of a foul call when JSmoove was shoved into the the first row of seats as he made the shot was not only wrong, but it unnecessarily placed him at risk of injury. That was not only a foul, it was a flagrant one. We now need a little get back in the ATL. Go win the next two Hawks!
Joseph
April 20th, 2011
10:48 am
The Hawks had to beat the Magic and the refs. What a shame. The refs were obviously helping the great Dwight with some get back. That’s just how it is when the star complains after game one. The lack of a foul call when JSmoove was shoved into the the first row of seats as he made the shot was not only wrong, but it unnecessarily placed him at risk of injury. That was not only a foul, it was a flagrant one. We now need a little get back in the ATL. Go win the next two Hawks!
bascogcjs
April 20th, 2011
10:51 am
Too much one-on-one crap from Joe and kicking out to Josh for another beautiful three pt. attempt.
Absolute stupid move to sit Al for rest of half. Heck, this is the playoffs.
Horford had FOUR more fouls to give.
I’m really about sick of Joe and his isolation junk. He’s the most over paid player in NBA history!
heartofdarkness
April 20th, 2011
11:42 am
Some of the best analysis of basketball fundamentals, and their repeated abuse, was coming from Dominique and Bob on Tuesday night. But they were up against the studied indifference of the NBA refereeing fraternity. What could they be thinking as they stare vacantly into the upper decks, waiting for the ball to emerge from the loose ruck of angular human beings just inches from their noses. I’m betting they are silently humming La Traviata, focusing on their tone and inflection, imagining David Stern singing soprano.
hawker v
April 20th, 2011
11:46 am
The hawks will win this series in 6—mark it down. Orlando’s soft.
Tech Fan
April 20th, 2011
11:50 am
Dude the Hawks will wins thisl……I am taking up a collection. If we can out bid the Magic fans, we will take this series…this is coming from the officials. So lets go Hawks fans!!!!
First
April 20th, 2011
11:51 am
First.
Tech Fan
April 20th, 2011
11:52 am
Good job First!!!!
Tech Fan
April 20th, 2011
11:59 am
I just got confirmation that the next bad call by a ref will be followed by Bob Rathburn breaking a chair over someones head. So tune in Friday night baby!!
ag
April 20th, 2011
12:01 pm
I still cannot believe how stupid this coach is. The Hawks win in spite of him. I still cannot believe he is giving our best pg DNP’s. KH finished 4-12 with ONE assist and two turnovers. Marvin gets burn off the bench 1-6. Powell 1 rebound in 8 minutes, Armstrong 1 rebound in 7 minutes. Jason Collins 1 rebound and 1 point in 19 minutes. I am in disbelief that JT does not play.
I guess finally the chants for Hilton have ended. He gives us NOTHING! Again, dumb coach by not activating Etan.
ag
April 20th, 2011
12:01 pm
I still cannot believe how stupid this coach is. The Hawks win in spite of him. I still cannot believe he is giving our best pg DNP’s. KH finished 4-12 with ONE assist and two turnovers. Marvin gets burn off the bench 1-6. Powell 1 rebound in 8 minutes, Armstrong 1 rebound in 7 minutes. Jason Collins 1 rebound and 1 point in 19 minutes. I am in disbelief that JT does not play.
I guess finally the chants for Hilton have ended. He gives us NOTHING! Again, dumb coach by not activating Etan.
Time
April 20th, 2011
12:03 pm
36 to 11. The free throw differential. That number alone should be evidence enough for journalists all over the country to investigate the post Donaghy NBA officiating. But, no, the media won’t even touch it and that too makes you wonder just how much power Godfather Stern really has. 36-11 when you’ve got Dwight Howard on the floor committing a foul a minute is disgraceful.
And to the Orlando fans worried that a loss might mean Howard might go. You should hope for that. You don’t want to tie up the kind of money he is going to command on a unskilled, muscle bound big man who’s ONLY positive attribute is his raw athleticism. Once he starts to lose his hops, he becomes Jason Collins.
j
April 20th, 2011
12:13 pm
Can’t beat the Magic and the Refs. That was the worst officiating I have ever seen!
Rock
April 20th, 2011
1:01 pm
They showed something alright – that they don’t have a true superstar despite Joe’s salary. When they made that 4th quarter run and got to within 2 they had the Magic reeling. A true leader and star would have seezed the moment and led his team to victory. Johnson did not. Enough said.
cnote29
April 20th, 2011
1:07 pm
First let me say i like the Hawks. But the fact of the matter is the hawks will lose the series but will most likely win one more game. Game 1 the Magic shot 6-23 from 3 point land, Bass and Anderson had 0 points. Truk and 5 points and the Hawks had the refs on some shady calls. Only won by 10. Game 2 the Hawks made 11 points off of 30-40 foot jumpers and tip back. And got shut down on D from a team that went 0-6 with wide open 3 points in a 4 min. span. The magic won’t keep missing those shots. And we all know ATL quits once you put a lead on them (worst in NBA with home butt whippins). Hawks can cry about call and keep fouling and whinning about 3 seconds on D. Howard but in the long run it won’t matter. you want to help ATL, Start crawford, Tell J-Smoot to attack slow Turk and Johnson to post up the smaller Magic guards. But they won’t bcuz they are the Hawks. Atleast they won’t get sweep this year. They are what their record say they are.
JJ acts like a va-jay-jay
April 20th, 2011
1:32 pm
I need an APB on a Jeff Teague. I repeat, an APB on J-E-F-F T-E-A-G-U-E. He is missing. Over.
Can he not hold Jameer? Isnt he just as quick and fast? SMH
where is teague?
April 20th, 2011
1:36 pm
I need an APB on a Jeff Teague. I repeat and APB on a J-E-F-F T-E-A-G-U-E. He is missing, over.
Can he not hold Jameer? Isnt he just as quick and fast?
Jo Bling
April 20th, 2011
1:39 pm
- Officiating was horrible. Was it Turkoglu who body-blocked Josh on that fast-break layup? No call. Dwight and his boys were all over the Hawks backs on the boards last night and never got called for it. And what about that play where Dwight and, I think Crawford, were scrambling for the ball in the far corner and it went out of bounds and they said it went off Crawford? I replayed that one in slo-mo about six times and there was simply no way that ball went off Crawford, and it never touched his foot like the ref seemed to be indicating. NBA officiating always has and always will be a criminal joke.
- Rock, so true about them being unable to close the deal after drawing within two, but it wasn’t all Joe’s fault. Josh had the ball and began moving into the top of the key with JJ running at him on the outside and Horford spinning out underneath. Joe was tightly covered and never made a hard move for the ball. Josh should have literally dribbled out handed it to him. Instead, he passed off to Horford who shot a pathetic 15-foot fadeaway that barely caught any rim. Lame.
- The Hawks are headed home where they have dominated all . . . um, wait a minute – where they have been a huge disappointment all season. If we had won that game last night I’d be more optimistic. As it stands, I think we are just as likely to punt the home-court advantage right back to Orlando on Friday night.
Born2Buzz
April 20th, 2011
2:31 pm
If Joe shows up like he did in Game 1 the Hawks are up 2-0. The officiating was bad but that was to be expected. I kept waiting for someone to grab Joe around the neck and say “Dude, you are our star. When the clock is running down and you have the ball, we’d rather you force up a shot than pass out to Josh S for a 3pt shot.”
Watching the game last night also kept reminding me…we spent the #2 pick and bypassed Chris Paul for a lousy bench player. Arrrrrrggggghhhhhh. This franchise may never recover from that one egregious error by Billy Knightmare.
FedUpWithRefs
April 20th, 2011
2:40 pm
Will it be the same referree crew coming to ATL (and then back to Orlando too) or do they rotate crews between cities in the other various playoff series and we’ll see some fresh (and more fair!) faces? Just curious…if not we just have to win anyway with those Bozo refs! GO HAWKS!
Don Ron
April 20th, 2011
3:12 pm
Regardless of the refs, ther BETTER team wins,the one that has played better. The Hawks are done, Orlando in six. And the slidedown continues..
dr3dd1ne
April 20th, 2011
3:23 pm
And this is the reason most thinking sports fans can’t watch NBA basketball very long. Officials don’t call fouls consistently on star players period. Last time I checked defenders have a right to their “spot” but big men consistently booty bump, push, shove, and manhandle defenders and hardly ever get called for it. It happened with the likes of Shaq in his heyday and it continues to happen with Howard and the current crop of stars. I really like basketball, but the professional game has a credibility problem with any fan with working eyes or a brain in his head.
I love the Hawks and have watched them since I was a kid with my dad. I’ve attended games. But the sport is quickly losing me due to the fact stars get preferrential treatment. Until that stops the NBA will never make inroads with a larger fan base.
lewis
April 20th, 2011
4:19 pm
good to see your hawks articles are getting better shultz
jerry
April 20th, 2011
4:35 pm
Atlanta not only #2 in sports misery but it’s a jungle out there.
1.Horde of teens attack, rob MARTA passengers
The U
April 20th, 2011
5:08 pm
There were some questionable no calls not in the Hawks favor. But truth be told the hawks are satisfied with perimeter shots,and you not going to draw much contact launching away from the outside avoiding penetration.
Presham from Port Arthur
April 20th, 2011
5:27 pm
Joe johnson just f’n disappeared. i know the ref’s did everything they could to sell tickets. No way a rising star is suppose to get those calls. but f’n joe you might as well shoot if josh jack’um gonna keep experimenting with his shot. it doesnt matter what the four brothers do against howard i am embarrased that we dont have nothing inside to remotely combat a titan like howard. he looks like the best thing since slice bread out there. a sure sign that this dude is totally not worried about our big’s is HE’S HITTING HIS FREE THROWS. i’d bet my grandma’s bloomers he vever shoot’s that good from then line again. but still no matter what and all die hard hawks fans do agree we are proud of u guys. i swear i thought they’d embarrass me down there but you guys finally show’d some heart and stood tall and represented hawks nation well. Now grt some balls and stop howard and let’s most on from being some f’n baby hawks.
Presham from Port Arthur
April 20th, 2011
5:27 pm
move on i mean
jamal trashford
April 20th, 2011
8:43 pm
yo i be makin 10 mil this year but i still act like a hood rat trashing day womans pad. then she no pay me. what the fo.
Bring back Spud & Cak'
April 20th, 2011
10:22 pm
Larry Drew wouldn’t know a ‘good move,’ if it came up & sat on him. Thanks Josh, Jamaal, Al & Kirk for maintaining some form of dignity & giving a quality effort for this team. As for Mr. Overpriced, Quit on Your Team, No-D Joe Johnson; well we’re stuck w/ u. Somehow U won & r laughing all the way to the bank for the next unbearable 5 years. But we as fans need to figure out how to run incompetent owners, managers & coaches out of this town.
Josh, Al, Jamaal & Kirk r quality pieces to build around. Joe Johnson ruins this team’s chances of being competitive for the next 5 years – does everyone realize that?! No way we’re touching Orlando, neither this year nor next. Joe Johnson SUCKS & TOTALLY QUIT on this team last year IN THE FREAKIN’ PLAYOFFS no less. JOE JOHNSON u have no spine & we r calling u out.
& I really hope the owners of our team go BANKRUPT, honestly – so that anyone w/ even just a hint of competence can help right the ship before our young players get tired of mediocrity & start to follow Joe’s example.
51WTGW50
April 21st, 2011
9:24 am
To ALL TECH FANS if you have a chance today get down to Juniors Grill. Today is the last day of operation. Juniors opened in 1948 so I know many of you have enjoyed a meal or 2 there.
BYE JUNIOR’S we loved you.
shankit
April 21st, 2011
9:56 am
Jeff
Off the subject, but just learned Nick Saban’s statue will be mounted on wheels.
decriz
April 21st, 2011
2:13 pm
first
decriz
April 21st, 2011
2:14 pm
i say trade joe for monta ellis. you can’t win a ball game, or crucial ball games at that, if you don’t have a player with balls to make plays man.
decriz
April 21st, 2011
2:18 pm
get rid of joe already man, i’m sure somebody wants him, and i’m sure we can get what we definitely need.