Magic wake up and Hawks show their ugly former selves
When J.J. Redick made five straight shots in the first half, Hawks knew it would be a long night.
ORLANDO – Remember these guys?
This is what you feared. Not a game, but a cartoon. Not a loss, but four quarters of exploding body parts.
For most of four playoff games against Orlando, we saw what the Hawks were capable of. Then we saw what we already knew they were capable of because they showed it all too often during their bipolar season.
Before the game was half over Tuesday night, the Hawks trailed by 10, then 15, then 25, and then everybody pretty much stopped paying attention. Now the doubt is back in Atlanta, and the hope is back in Orlando.
The final score was Magic 101, Hawks 76. It would’ve been worse if Orlando hadn’t put it in cruise control early.
The Hawks lost by 25, and Dwight Howard wasn’t even a factor. He scored eight points.
Remember these guys?
There’s only one positive if you’re the Hawks. It counts as only one loss. This remains a very winnable series. They lead it 3-2, and they can still wrap up this playoff series Thursday night at Philips Arena. That would be a good idea because winning a Game 7 back in Orlando generally doesn’t show up on the blueprint.
“Clearly we lost our composure,” coach Larry Drew said, referencing a 26-13 first-quarter deficit. “We did not play with the poise that I thought we would.”
The looks on faces of Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Zaza Pachulia say it all. The question: Can Hawks avoid a hangover? (Orlando Sentinel)
The Hawks said all the right things before the game. They wanted to close out the series here. They wanted to play like the desperate team. They wanted to take the Orlando crowd out of it early. Then the game started, and they wound up eating those words.
“They were the hungrier team,” Jamal Crawford said. “If they lose, their summer starts tomorrow, and they played like it. We didn’t. We’re just lucky it’s not a round-robin tournament and the points don’t carry over.”
“I actually think we did come out a little desperate,” Al Horford said. “But we rushed things at the offensive end. We missed shots and they made shots, and then we could just never really get into a flow. That was it.”
The Hawks weren’t dominating the Magic at 3-1. But the fact Orlando led for only 42 minutes of the first 192 minutes of this series said something. Stan Van Gundy, the Magic coach, acknowledged he was out of ideas.
“We’ve played 29 different lineups,” he said before the game. “I’m not sure how many more possibilities there are.”
The Hawks didn’t play great at every moment in every game in the first four. But we saw how defensive intensity, effort and the occasional forearm shiver can go a long way in the postseason. It can make up for offensive liabilities. It certainly can prevent things like 41-point losses to New Orleans.
But the “Bad Hawks” returned. Orlando pushed the pace and shot better than at any point in the series. The Magic made 11 of 26 3-pointers (42.3 percent) after making 21 of 96 (21.9 percent) in the first four.
They made three of their first 14 shots, then they made 17 of 30 to close the first half and outscored the Hawks 48-26 to take a 58-35 lead.
The Hawks, conversely, were a mess on offense (36.2 percent). Joe Johnson’s night: 2-for-12 (five points). Crawford’s night: 2-for-8 (eight points). The team’s night from 3-point range: 4-for-16.
Something you never expected also happened: J.J. Redick changed the series. He made his first five shots. He started hitting — scoring 11 consecutive Orlando points at one point — and then everybody started hitting. Jason Richardson. Ryan Anderson. Even Hedo Turkoglu, who had been thrown under the bus during media sessions this series by both his coach and his general manager (Otis Smith).
After the win, Van Gundy was predictably cautious: “We did what we had to do, but all we did was cut the lead. It’s like we cut a 20-point lead to 12.”
But what kind of hangover will this leave in the Hawks’ locker room? They didn’t react well to the onslaught. They didn’t get hands in the faces of shooters. They couldn’t slow the pace and, consequently, were not as physical.
What next?
“I don’t expect any hangover,” Horford said. “We’ll go back to Atlanta, and Philips Arena will be rocking and we’ll try to close this out.”
They’re still in control. But as always, it depends which of the team’s personalities show up.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier today: Digi-Blog previews Hawks and Magic, game 5
Earlier today: LIVE BLOG: Hawks try to close out Magic (honest)
Earlier today: Cam Newton offered $1 million if he passes lie detector (Update II)
♦
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118 comments Add your comment
Enquiring Mind
April 27th, 2011
1:31 pm
Why does Josh Smith shoot 3s?
Why do the coaches allow Josh Smith to stand around outside the 3-point line?
Why do other players throw the ball to Josh Smith when he’s standing around outside the 3-poing line?
Why does Josh Smith complain about non-calls after every play, often instead of getting back on defense?
Why can’t we trade Josh Smith and sign Dwight Howard this offseason?
CapedCrusader
April 27th, 2011
1:38 pm
Enquiring Mind: I have the answer. Coach Drew is afraid to stand up to Josh Smith and tell Josh to STOP MAKING A FOOL OF YOURSELF BY SHOOTING 3S THAT YOU CANT MAKE. Coach Drew is afraid to tell the team in the huddle, DO NOT PASS THE BALL TO JSMOOVE IF HE IS STANDING OUT THERE BEHIND THE 3-PT LINE. LET HIM STAND OUT THERE BY HISELF ON THAT ISLAND ALONE AND LET HIM STAY OUT THERE SO THAT YOU GUYS CAN GET A VICTORY. Drew is afraid to coach the team with strength. THIS HAWKS TEAM NEEDS A TOUGH GUY WHO CAN STAND UP TO THE PUNKS ON THE HAWKS. THE NO-NONSENSE COACH WHO CAN DO THIS IS NAMED JERRY SLOAN. SLOAN DOESNT TAKE ANY CRAP FROM ANYONE AND IF YOU DONT PLAY THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY YOU WILL PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET THE HELL OUT OF DODGE. The Hawks need Jerry Sloan as their next head coach.
KevinM
April 27th, 2011
2:11 pm
Who would have thought the Hawks are more prepared to battle with DHoward on the floor? For some reason, they waster the trip down there.
This game just reopened those old doubts of playoff years past. While I don’t think Orlando is a very good team, this is the one winning team we compete with and for the most part have an edge over.
The Hawks were stuck on 9 points for a long time last night when DHoward went to the bench. He goes out and we forget how to play. That team is awful w/o their C. Some how we make them look like a Finals contender.
There is a huge cloud hanging over the ATL today and it isn’t being reported by Glenn Burns. The ability to close out a series is in doubt now. I’m not sure we sellout the place tomorrow.
The worse thing in all of this? We will remain intact next year with this roster and with this head coach. That’s where my frustration is…our talent isn’t consistent enough to go on a Finals run.
Born2Buzz
April 27th, 2011
2:16 pm
Joe looked like he had no desire to play good defense. Josh looked like someone farted and he was smelling it all night. Marvin looked like the worst draft pick mistake ever made (he may not get on the floor for other teams).
But they come home tomorrow and can still win this. Defense is the key.
Big D
April 27th, 2011
2:36 pm
My sentiments exactly caped crusader. Woody was also afraid of JSmith.
Drew makes this clown a team Captain, is laughable to say the least.
We also need a GM who can make bold moves to improve our team cause Sund aint gettin it done
Jesse Sharpton
April 27th, 2011
2:49 pm
The majic have 3 incredible bad shooting games (none of it due to the hawks defense) and Atlanta fans start believing the hawks are for real LOL Majic finally start to hit a few shots and blow the Hawks away like a newspaper in a tornado. Bye Bye Hawks have a fun off season figuring out how to do even worse next year.
Bill Walton
April 27th, 2011
2:51 pm
There are only three problems with the Hawks:
1. No heart
2. No Brains
3. No idea what the hell they are doing
Game 5 Reactions « Howard the Dunk | An Orlando Magic Blog
April 27th, 2011
3:19 pm
[...] Jeff Schultz of the Atanta Journal-Constitution on game 5: The Hawks said all the right things before the game. They wanted to close out the series here. They wanted to play like the desperate team. They wanted to take the Orlando crowd out of it early. Then the game started, and they wound up eating those words. [...]
Trojan
April 27th, 2011
3:41 pm
How can any coach not try ANY thing different until only 7 minutes to go after being behind 25+ the entire game?
Larry is a joke. He talks good but he simply don’t have it.
Hawks need more Joe Johnson, whether he likes it or not | Jeff Schultz
April 27th, 2011
3:44 pm
[...] much is true: The Hawks did not lose game five to Orlando by 25 points solely because Johnson made only two of 12 shots, at least when we even noticed he was on the floor. They all stunk. But Johnson didn’t do nearly [...]
WaltFrazier
April 27th, 2011
4:11 pm
Stan Van Gundy said in the press conference post-game interview that the Magic shot so poorly the first four games that he was surprised that the Hawks didnt blow the Magic out in the three games the Hawks won. That should tell the Hawks something–that when they build a double digit lead by 10 and the Magic cant throw it in the ocean, the Hawks should keep building the lead and add to it instead of saying, OK, we will nurse this 10 point lead for three quarters and coast on to victory. The Hawks philosphy is completely skewed. YOU CANT HOLD A 10 POINT LEAD IN THE NBA FOR 36 MINUTES. I HAVE SEEN TEAMS BLOW 10-PT LEADS IN THE LAST TWO MINUTES MUCH LESS THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS. HAWKS, YOU CAN SLOW DOWN AND LET UP AFTER YOU HAVE BUILT A 30 POINT LEAD, IF ITS THE FOURTH QUARTER. IVE SEEN THE HAWKS REPEATEDLY GET A 10-POINT LEAD IN THE FIRST QUARTER AND INSTEAD OF CONTINUING TO EXECUTE, THEY COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND STOP EXECUTING TRYING TO MAINTAIN A 10-PT LEAD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE GAME. ITS STUPID AND IF SOMEONE IS COACHING THEM AND TELLING THEM TO TRY AND HOLD A 10-PT LEAD WHEN THERE ARE STILL 3 QUARTERS LEFT TO PLAY, THAT PERSON NEEDS TO BE FIRED. EVERY TIME THE HAWKS BUILD A 10-PT LEAD, REGARDLESS OF WHAT TIME IS LEFT IN THE GAME, THE HAWKS LOOK AT THAT AND SAY, OK WE DID OUR NIGHTS WORK, LETS REST AND SEE IF WE CAN HOLD THAT LEAD. THAT IS STUPIDITY IN ITS HIGHEST FORM AND IT NEEDS TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. ALL 3 OF ATLANTAS WINS SHOULD HAVE BEEN 30-POINT WINS AND THEN THE HAWKS WOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH CONFIDENCE TO CLOSE OUT THE MAGIC. I JUST DONT THINK THE HAWKS HAVE ENOUGH GUTS, ENERGY AND SAVVY TO CLOSE OUT THE MAGIC AND ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND. THE HAWKS APPEARS TO STILL BE INTIMIDATED BY THE MAGIC AND IT SHOWS IN THEIR BODY LANGUAGE, THEIR EXEUCTION AND THEIR CONVERSIONS AFTER THE GAME. THE HAWKS STINK PURE AND SIMPLE AND I HOPE THEY GET ELIMINATED IN 7 GAMES.
MagicWand
April 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
The Hawks are in trouble and they know it. The Magic shooters have awakened and they will torch the Hawks unless the Hawks meet them at the 3-point line, get in their jersys and defend them. If the Magic shooters continue with clean, open looks the Magic will win the series. Last night I thought the Hawks were going to make the Magic disappear, but it is the Magic who are about to make the Hawks disappear as soon as the Hawks are routed in Phillips in game 6. I hope the Hawks realize that if they lose their opening round playoff series with the Magic that they had a stranglehold on when they were ahead at 3-1, THE HAWKS WILL BE THE LAUGHINGSTOCK OF THE NBA FROM NOW UNTIL ETERNITY.
BBIB
April 27th, 2011
4:49 pm
I’m anything but a Negative Nancy when it comes to this team, but come on how can you not be disappointed that in a position to force Orlando to win 3 straight, we gave them a free win?
Absolutely HORRIBLE decision to bench Horford and Hinrich after Dwight picked up his 1st two fouls by LD
Absolutely HORRIBLE play by the guys on the court not to attack the basket with no DHoward
Absolutely HORRIBLE defense to let JJ Redick look like an all-star in the 1st quarter
Will
April 27th, 2011
8:38 pm
When the hawks came out at the beginning of the gm, they had that loser look, so I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A BLOWOUT
NFL draft: Cam Newton will succeed, Tim Tebow won’t | Jeff Schultz
April 28th, 2011
8:41 am
[...] – Magic wake up and Hawks show their ugly former selves [...]
FlashGordon
April 28th, 2011
10:41 am
I will reserve comments about the Hawks until after tonights game. I believe the Hawks will advance because of the odds that the Hawks and Magic are dealing with. According to NBA history, the Magic have a 5% chance of advancing to the next round, while the Hawks have a 95% chance of advancing to the second round to play the Bulls. I like the Hawks chances. Now if the Hawks play lathargic basketball and act like they dont care they will lose tonight and lose the series. Someone put it best that THE HAWKS MUST TREAT TONIGHTS GAME 6 LIKE ITS GAME 7. Simply because there aint no way in hell that the Hawks are going to win a game 7 at Amway. It aint happening. So in order for the Hawks to move on, they must win tonight or their season will be over for sure. It will be one of the biggest collapses ever in sports history should the Hawks fail to advance. I noticed that no one changed their prediction that the Magic would win the series. Everyone stood firm on that because they fell all along that the Hawks would blow the series. Me personally, if the Hawks lose tonight, I WILL NEVER WATCH THEM AGAIN.
Enquiring Mind
April 28th, 2011
12:47 pm
Hey Flash, I thought you said you were going to reserve comment until AFTER the game?
NegativeNancy
April 28th, 2011
1:29 pm
The Hawks showed no heart on tuesday and played with NO EFFORT AT ALL. They looked at it and said OK, lets coast to a win and if it doesnt happen automatically, we will close it out at phillips on thursday. That doesnt make sense and the Hawks should realize that Orlando had an ABOVE .500 RECORD ON THE ROAD THIS SEASON–ONE OF THE BEST ROAD RECORDS IN THE NBA. The Hawks are fools for allowing this to happen, not closing out the magic last time. If Joe, Jamal, Al and Josh dont lead the way tonight to a Hawks victory, then sign Michael Vick as a free agent and let Mike play point guard and quarterback the team to Vick-tory. OK guys lets play ball and win the game tonight. Hawks in 6.