Game 3 in Philips Arena: It’s last-stand time for the Hawks
Orlando – The Hawks led the Magic by two points after 35 minutes and 59 seconds here Thursday night. They trailed by 19 points barely eight minutes later. The visitors had gotten almost everything they could have hoped from the first three quarters, and yet, once again, they weren’t close at the end.
There was about Game 2 a sensation of a best shot having been delivered and parried — a chilling thought. Asked if that was his impression, Josh Smith said: “There’s a better shot still to come. We have to play the full 48.”
Maybe those long-awaited 48 minutes will come at Philips Arena on Saturday. If not, that’s it for this season. The team that won 53 games is down to its last real chance. That said …
The Milwaukee Bucks were down to their last real chance not two weeks ago, and they won Games 3, 4 and 5 and had a chance to close out the Hawks at the Bradley Center. The old playoff axiom: A series doesn’t begin until the road team wins. The road team hasn’t yet won in this series.
As suggested last night, there’s every chance the Magic could be too stout for the Hawks. “They’re good,” Mike Woodson admitted in a candid moment, staring at the box score in the locker room. Also this, regarding his team: “They’re going to have to have a defensive mentality.”
The Hawks have played five road playoff games. In four of them the opponent has scored more than 100 points. The exception was Game 6 against Milwaukee, in which the Hawks limited the Bucks to 69 points. Woodson took great pride in his team’s defensive efforts — Milwaukee averaged 71.5 points over the final two games — to close out that series, but the Magic are a different kettle of fish. They scored 114 points in a laugher and 112, after a 28-point fourth quarter in which Dwight Howard made only one basket, in a tight game that became a laugher.
“We’re good enough to play with anybody,” said Al Horford, who had one of the finest games of a stellar career (24 points, 10 rebounds). “We’ve got to keep improving and building on what we did the first half. We’ve got to put in a full game.”
If you’re into trends, you’re slightly encouraged. The Hawks played one good quarter in Game 1; they played three in Game 2. They were where they needed to be the second time around, and then they started lofting jump shots and the game got away. The Magic went from one point ahead to 11 points up in three minutes and 10 seconds, which shows Orlando has a separation gear its opponent lacks. The trick is to keep that gear from being engaged.
And that won’t be easy, not even at Philips. The one time the Hawks beat the Magic this season, they led by 11 points late but needed Smith’s follow dunk at the horn to win. The Magic have so many options: Jameer Nelson had four points in the first half Thursday, 13 in the third quarter; Vince Carter had four points in the first half, 11 in the fourth quarter.
Loading ...Came the final period, Mike Bibby was long gone. There’s nobody for him to guard in this series. (There aren’t many people for Bibby to guard in any series.) What people say about the playoffs is true: Matchups become paramount here, and the longer a series goes the harder it is for the Hawks to hide Bibby. Imagine trying to win in postseason with your starting point guard not playing a fourth-quarter minute.
“We have to put in a full game,” Horford said. “We tried to get a full game together and couldn’t do it.”
And now it’s down to one last stand. Game 3’s are often last stands for the team trailing 2-0, but that doesn’t mean Game 3 can’t have a transforming effect. The Hawks were just looking for respectability headed into Game 3 against the Celtics in 2008; they wound up taking Boston to a Game 7.
As ominous as it seems, this series isn’t over. The Hawks play better at home, and they’ll have to play better than ever if they plan to give Orlando a real run. “You’ve got to play the full 48 to beat these guys,” Smith said, and the Hawks managed three-quarters of that in Game 2. Either they go the distance in Game 3, or they prepare to go home for the summer.
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167 comments Add your comment
nola hawks fan
May 7th, 2010
10:20 am
Why is no one talking about the antics of Josh Smith?? He is the one that turned this game around for the Magic. He is just too emotional and a pouter for the Hawks ever to be a “tough” playoff team. He sits on the end of the court holding his head like a 6 year old at a YMCA soccer game.
“I didnt get a foul called so I am going to make my teammates go 4-5 b/c I am sad”. What happened on that play… VC drilled a 3 and the lead grew. Oh and happened right at the start of the 3rd quarter too (remember Hubie crushing him for it?!)
Mark said it after game 1, it is plays like the one above that makes this team VERY hard to root for sometimes.
RCS 7/30
May 7th, 2010
10:34 am
Let me give you a senario….It’s 1985, the Lakers are playing the Trailblazers. Lakers are down 3 with the ball, a shot goes up, James Worthy crashes the boards, get slapped in the face, and now he has a decesion to make? Does he A) Hold his face, complain, and let his team play 4 on 5 or B) Get back on D, try to stop the team and if they do score, then he sprints the floor?
What would Bird do? How bout Rodman? or Lambeer?
Well, we all know what J-Smoove would do….
Grow up Josh!!! You have all the talent in the world! Now you just need to Mature. I believe he will, but it may take him a few more years of getting beat down before he gets sick of it and realizes he could be one of the best.
I don’t even want to get started on his 3rd Quarter start. He truly quit at times. So much for the theory that every possession in the playoffs is critical b/c Josh obviously doesn’t believe that!
jg
May 7th, 2010
10:34 am
did i hear stan van gundy say in his post game news conference that “mike’s a helluva coach.” what mike is he talking about? mike woodson??? hahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahhaahahahahhahahahahaahhaahhahahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahahhahaahahhahahahahahhahahahhahahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahhahahahahhahahahahahahahhaahaha!
hahahahahahahahahahahha!
that’s a good one
calihawks
May 7th, 2010
10:35 am
WOW REALLY A BLOWN LEAD AGAIN..OL WELL AT LEAST I LIKED TO HUBIE RIPPING JOSH FOR PLAYIN LIKE THAT.. “IF THAT WAS LEBRON JAMES HE WOULD BE RUNNIN DOWN THERE TRYIN TO BLOCK THE SHOT” HUBIE BROWN… IT IS PLAYS LIKE THAT MAKE IT SO HARD TO BELIVE AND MAKE U THINK THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE.. WHY CANT JOE JOHNSON COME THREW WHEN WE NEED HIM..EVERYBODY ELSE HAD A GOOD AND JJ JUST WAS AVERAGE..THIS IS THE PLAYOFFS SCORE 40 ON THESE FOOLS DO SOMETHING .. THEY LOOKED LIKE THE MOSLEY AND MAYWEATHER FIGHT.. MOSLEY GOOD FOR 2 ROUNDS THAN MAYWEATHER WHIPPED ON HIM THE REST OF THE WAY LAUGHIN.. THATS THE MAGIC LAUGH AT US KNOWIN THE HAWKS HAVE NO HEART..
Matt
May 7th, 2010
10:37 am
THIS is what this team has building towards the last few years?? A team that can get to the playoffs, win a series and AGAIN not get out of the second round? Haven’t we been here, done that already??
mn possum
May 7th, 2010
10:37 am
Mark: Do you have a prediction for International Orienteering World Cup? The event begins in 23 days.
Mr. Obvious
May 7th, 2010
10:40 am
The Hawks have as much chance of winning this series against Orlando as Kenshin Kawakami has of winning the 2010 National League Cy Young Award, the Atlanta Spirit Group members collectively agreeing on ANYTHING or Mike Vick has of winning the National Spelling Bee.
bigeasy830
May 7th, 2010
10:41 am
Nola Hawk fan without J Smooves emotions the Hwks get blown out early just like the first game
True/False: Orlando is the Best Team in the NBA « Sports Fans Bloggers
May 7th, 2010
11:02 am
[...] got a guy like Rashard Lewis (20 points) who is what, a 3rd offensive option? The Hawks better win game three this weekend at home, or it’s [...]
JASon
May 7th, 2010
11:04 am
Lets get one thing straight: we didn’t “need” Josh’s buzzard beating dunk. The game was tied at that point. Also, the officiating in these games is single-handedly giving the game to the Magic. The calls they were giving Howard in the first half were unacceptable. It would have changed the entire complexion of the game if he had sat as much as he should have for, I don’t know, running over Jason Collins. What more do you expect from this dumb league.
TROTTINGHOME
May 7th, 2010
11:07 am
Bradley,
Lot’s of fans are astute also…about basketball and journalism. I hope your on the same train Woodson is getting on before the end of May ..or the end of June
The annoucers criticised the Hawks most of the game. Learn how to play like the western conference teams play. Even the bad teams are constantly moving without the ball.
Dan the Nerd
May 7th, 2010
11:11 am
If your starting point guard doesn’t play more than 15 minutes, he isn’t your starting point guard.
The problem with Woody is that he knew he didn’t have a PG – which is why Jamal lead the league in 4th quarter minutes. A lot of the 4th quarter collapses were because: Jumpers stopped falling and the ball stopped moving. When you are relying on Iso and Jamal to play point – you can’t be surprised when it stops working as they aren’t point guards.
Which takes us to Sund. He made a huge mistake last year by either not cutting Woody lose or extending his contract. This meant Woody had to show dramatic improvement this year – he needed as many wins as possible. If this team didn’t win 50+, there is no way his name would be in any of the rumors currently curculating. So Woody coaches every game to win – never worrying about getting the future PG any playing time.
Is aint all Bibby’s fault.
AS
May 7th, 2010
11:16 am
The problem with the hawks is two words. (Marvin William) This guy does not have and should not be starting. This guy misses every shot, he is absent on offence and consistently make bad plays. Mike Woodson needs his guys to actually run the offense and stop all the switching on defense, the mismatch that it make are killing us. True hawks fan, but disappointed.
Peter
May 7th, 2010
11:17 am
Hey….Dan the Nerd ..Bibby can’t guard the quicker points, and his offense is suspect…
Thus he sits when it counts !
dw
May 7th, 2010
11:26 am
The Magic will continue to dominate because they play real defense instead of flopping around like Zaza hoping to get an offensive foul call. I know Dwight is good but the reason Boston gives him problems is because Perkins actually mans up and plays D instead of praying for the refs to bail him out.
Game 3 in Philips Arena: It's last-stand time for the Hawks - MajorWager Forums
May 7th, 2010
11:31 am
[...] [...]
atlienforlife
May 7th, 2010
11:38 am
I was never on this side of thinking; but, this playoffs has proved that Joe Johnson is not a max player in this league. He has been average at best in the first two rounds. He only had on good game and that was in the blowout in Milwaukee. And jamal is a little too selfish with the ball. Woody has to go, no offensive expertise at all!
Gator CHOMP Champ
May 7th, 2010
11:44 am
Hawks lose on road…Hawks out in 2nd round…just need a couple pieces and can contend in 2 years.
This content will be published after they’re eliminated in game 5. It’s not even news (more of an annual occurance) and is as regular as the disgusting pollen every spring. Depressing and true-may as well go ahead and give Woody his extension.
At least the Falcons training camp starts soon.
DWilkins21
May 7th, 2010
11:52 am
It’s as if the Magic huddled together before game 2 with the idea of toying with the Hawks through 3 quarters and then make them look like clowns in the 4th. Like I said before, Woodson has over extended his time on the bench, lets bring in a true x’s & o’s coach and bring in a couple more role players for our bench and then we can give the Magic a better fight…hopefully. I can easily see this Magic team winning 3 or more Championships in this next decade(The new Spurs of the East), they are certainly built for it.
DWilkins21
May 7th, 2010
11:57 am
atlienforlife…you are exactly right! I’m okay with losing Joe if we can bring in some more firepower to our bench. Lets fire Woodson and go after Jeff Van Gundy, that will bring some extra sizzle to the South Eastern Division…brother vs brother! I think Crawfoed can fill Joe’s absence(if he can let some non-open shots go) at the 2-guard. Fill some holes here and there and compete with the big boys(The Magic).
Dr. Warren
May 7th, 2010
12:06 pm
Mark–If you remember, the difference-maker in the Celtics series in 2008 was one JOSH CHILDRESS. Unfortunately, he’s playing in Greece still, and the Hawks’ playoff chances look about as healthy as the Greek economy.
Smitty
May 7th, 2010
12:07 pm
MB, I dont know if you keep reading your blog this far down but I have a question for you . Was it as apparent for you as it was Hubie Brown that Josh Smith totally let down and stopped working hard for a while right in the middle of the Hawks losing control of the game in the 3rd / 4th qtr. .And if so, why is he getting a pass on his behavior? I just read today’s sport section front to back and he is not even mentioned w/ re. to the game. What’s the deal? Hubie pointed it out explicitly.
jakenjboro
May 7th, 2010
12:18 pm
Turn out the lights, the party’s over!!!!!
Gator CHOMP Champ
May 7th, 2010
12:34 pm
Right on Doc Warren. Tell it like it is.
FromUpNorth
May 7th, 2010
12:38 pm
I’m sorry, I’m still laughing at Gamer’s post that “Bibby is a craftsman”.
Of what? Not denying that the man had skills back in the day, but now….he’s a point guard who can’t guard, doesn’t create plays, can’t penetrate, doesn’t consistently demonstrate floor leadership. He still has a good shot, but is streaky. So maybe that makes him a craftsman of wasting playing time?
cdog
May 7th, 2010
12:46 pm
the officiating beat the hawks in game 2.i bet if lebron james or paul pierce had been on the recieving ends of a lot of the majic fouls that wasn’t called, they would have gotten them.a foul is a foul you can’t call a foul on one end and not call it on the other.thats what happened.plus, someone tell joe johnson, you dribble for a reason.he should have learned this in middle school.you dribble to get you or your teamate open.he had his man beat plenty of times but he choose to shoot fade away jumpers when he could have took his man off the dribble.you can’t be scared to go to the basket.he was.
Casey Stinkle
May 7th, 2010
12:50 pm
Anybody who doesn’t see this series is over NOW, truly has blinders on. Hawks=good team but far from championship caliber. They are, I believe one good player away.
wordy
May 7th, 2010
12:57 pm
we can’t beat the magic in 7 so who cares. On to ponticating the summer. JJ gone, woody gone. Grab a center in the draft or the free market. Move Holford to foward. Crawford to start. Find Crawford backup on free market or draft. Let Teague start. Call Childress and say your sorry, sign him. Bench Marvin
Center X, ZAZA
PF-Smoove, Marvin
PF the sequal (who needs a small foward)- Holford, Chill
PG- Teague, Old Man River
SG- Crawford, gaurd x
wordy
May 7th, 2010
12:58 pm
and Hubie Brown as coach.
PistolPete
May 7th, 2010
1:04 pm
The officiating was totally unfair and against the Hawks. I would venture to say the officiating was ‘fixed’. I saw one play where the announcers Hubie Brown and Mike Toreko said THAT HAS TO BE AN OFFENSIVE FOUL AGAINST THE MAGIC. Then they showed the replay where petreus initiated the foul by driving his elbow into Josh Smiths chest, Josh Smith fell backwards and hit the floor, yet the foul call was against josh smith to the surprise of announcers Toreko and Brown. Atlanta could only muster about ONE CALL from the official all afternoon. I saw only one call that went atlantas way. Everything else was given to the Magic. How can you win when the officials are taking the game away from you. I can understand how Josh Smith got frustrated, but there is no excuse for his lack of effort and literally giving up and throwing up the white flag. Josh is a punk and should be disciplined or traded as soon as possible. I wont having a player on my team who doesnt care at all at the outcome of the game and who is there to make a mockery of the nba, the league and the Hawks. David Stern should bring the hammer down on Josh Smith, discipline him and fine him to send a message that we cant have NBA players showing up the league with indifference by walking up the court and showing absolutely no respect for the game.
i_am_soulstar
May 7th, 2010
1:17 pm
Bring back JJ.
Sign Josh Childress and stop being cheap.
Resign Mo Evans.
Develop Teague.
Trade Marvin.
Sign Jerry Stackhouse.
Bring in a proven starting point guard, and make Bibby the back-up.
Billy
May 7th, 2010
1:27 pm
Last stand, the little hawkhorn, in the next couple of games no hawk will be left standing!!!
BravesFan79
May 7th, 2010
1:29 pm
If we replaced Joe Johnson with Mcgrady or D Wade, and replaced Woodson with Jeff Van Gundy, this team could really be special!
Whats sad is that ive seen alot more heart out of Josh Smith this series than in Joe Johnson!
corydillinger
May 7th, 2010
1:36 pm
You know whats funny is that this is the only the second winning season for this team in 10 years and everybody now wants to fire the coach let Joe walk break up the team. Understand we have known all year that this team was a horrible road team but a team that can beat anybody at home lets see what they do on Saturday and then make judgements and why are all these non Hawk fans wanting to comment on a team they care nothing about!!
corydillinger
May 7th, 2010
1:38 pm
Another thing why is everyone so in love with Josh Childress he was exactly lighting the league on fire when he was here. Ok.
Jerk This
May 7th, 2010
1:39 pm
Anybody who thinks the Hawks have a chance is delusional. So much for j-Smoove maturing. Cry-J is what he needs to be called.
Tom Wright
May 7th, 2010
1:55 pm
In order for the Hawks to win Coach Wooten must take Josh Smith out of the game in the last four minutes of the fourth quarter. He begins to think of whats he suppose to do thus turning the ball over. Game two was lost after turnovers and ill advised shots.
pluckthehawks
May 7th, 2010
1:55 pm
I agree the Hawks are as good as the Magic with the exception of our starters and out bench.
pluckthehawks
May 7th, 2010
1:58 pm
I heard the hawks are recruiting Tiger Woods because at least he knows how to score in Orlando….
Skeezix
May 7th, 2010
2:01 pm
I think the series will go five games–the Hawks will win one in A Town.
mws17
May 7th, 2010
2:17 pm
The Hawks were an impressive 53-29 in regular season play — better than 22 other teams in the NBA. And, yes, Woody was at the helm. The Hawks season was a success! Nearly two-dozen other teams, and their fans, only wish they had a season like the Hawks had. Even if this team doesn’t beat the Magic, (and did you seriously think they would?), it’s still been a very nice season.
Instead of tearing the Hawks apart at every opportunity, why don’t we do something novel as Atlanta sports fans… as Hawks fans… take the high road and support this team!
feudfinder
May 7th, 2010
2:18 pm
I was actually impressed the way the Hawks played for three quarters, but I suspected things would eventually fall apart. If basketball were played for three quarters, the Hawks would have stolen the show yesterday. But sorry, the last time I checked it was four quarters.
feudfinder
May 7th, 2010
2:28 pm
Tom,I agree with you. I think Mike Woodson should have taken out Josh Smith after he turned himself to a network with lots of traffic, thinking he was the sixth man the Hawks were looking for. As good as he was, his turnovers caused the debacle for the Hawks loss.
i_am_soulstar
May 7th, 2010
2:36 pm
Corydillinger,
Josh Childress is an above average NBA 6th man we already own the rights to. Why not take advantage. He and Crawford coming off the bench would make the Hawks a much deeper team.
Dwight Howard
May 7th, 2010
2:39 pm
I can elbow whoever I want and trip whoever I want and still get the calls I want. Mwahahahaha.
Josh Smith
May 7th, 2010
2:41 pm
I plan on giving about 70% effort on Sat. just like I did on Thursday. When you see me walking up and down the court with a pouty look on my face it’s due the fact that I’m being underpaid. Since I’m only making 70% of what I should, I give 70% effort. These million dollar pay checks just aren’t enough to entice me to give the game my all. Sorry guys…it’s all about the Benjamins!!!
Mike Woodson
May 7th, 2010
2:43 pm
I refuse to win another game until my contract is extended. This plan is bulletproof.
Rick Sund
May 7th, 2010
2:44 pm
Will you UNGRATEFUL fans realize that we gave a GREAT effort last night. Our organization is about PROGRESS not CHAMPIONSHIPS right now. All we have to do is win ONE GAME in this round and that will be better than last year’s team. Rome was not built in a day. You have to crawl before you can walk. You fans just have TOO HIGH EXPECTATIONS for this team. We have already reached our ELITE status because we won over 50 games. Being ELITE is not based on the PLAYOFFS, but the REGULAR SEASON. The real fans are SATISFIED with where this team is. People like BIG RAY knows that it TAKES TIME to win a championship. You people are just UNREALISTIC about this team. It’s about PROGRESSION right now. As long as we have a NUCLEUS like J-SMOOVE (because of his great ball handling and pure shooting), MARVIN “GREAT POTENTIAL AND UPSIDE” WILLIAMS, and AL HORFORD, and last but not least JOE “I WILL CARRY THE TEAM WITH ISOS” JOHNSON, the future looks bright. Well see you real fans tomorrow at the PHILLIPS ARENA (aka “highlight factory”) for a special CHIK FILA FAMILY NIGHT!
Dominique Wilkins
May 7th, 2010
2:44 pm
Jameer Nelson is smokin! He made two shots in a row…next shot is a heat check. You see that woman over there? She’s smokin! Give me a cigar. I’m smokin!
Rick Sund
May 7th, 2010
2:48 pm
Will you UNGRATEFUL fans realize that we gave a GREAT effort last night. Our organization is about PROGRESS not CHAMPIONSHIPS right now. All we have to do is win ONE GAME in this round and that will be better than last year’s team. Rome was not built in a day. You have to crawl before you can walk. You fans just have TOO HIGH EXPECTATIONS for this team. We have already reached our ELITE status because we won over 50 games. Being ELITE is not based on the PLAYOFFS, but the REGULAR SEASON. The real fans are SATISFIED with where this team is. People like BIG RAY knows that it TAKES TIME to win a championship. You people are just UNREALISTIC about this team. It’s about PROGRESSION right now. As long as we have a NUCLEUS like J-SMOOVE (because of his great ball handling and pure shooting), MARVIN “GREAT POTENTIAL AND UPSIDE” WILLIAMS, and AL HORFORD, and last but not least JOE “I WILL CARRY THE TEAM WITH ISOS” JOHNSON, the future looks bright.