Live from Game 3: It’s a prove-it night for the Atlanta Hawks
It's a white-out/Dwight-out night at Philips Arena. Meaning: Free T-shirts! (Photo by M. Bradley)
How big is Game 3? Said Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy, speaking minutes ago: “You win and you’re up 2-1.”
Well, yes. More from Van Gundy: “People want it to mean something psychologically. Heck, it means something mathematically.”
Well, yes. But the psychic dimensions of this game for the home team are immense. Win and the Hawks will go some distance toward proving Game 1 was no fluke. Lose and they’ll travel just as far in the wrong direction.
The belief here is that Game 1 was no fluke. It’s a belief buttressed in reality: The Hawks beat the Magic three times of four in the regular season, and then they went to Orlando and won once and nearly won again.
Said Larry Drew, the Hawks’ coach: “We feel very confident.”
They should. They’re better than Orlando. They have the better starting five — you’d give Orlando the nod at center and point guard — and the better subs. And I’m not alone in this feeling. Jeff Van Gundy, Stan’s announcer brother, has taken to saying on-air that the Hawks are more talented than the Magic.
Informed of his sibling’s stance, Stan Van Gundy said: “That’s of no consequence.”
Tonight’s game is a far bigger deal for the Hawks than the Magic. Orlando needs to win once here over the weekend to reclaim the homecourt edge. If it loses Game 3, there’s still Game 4. But for the home side …
This is the prove-it game. This is the night to prove a series in which almost nobody – present company excepted — gave the Hawks a chance is theirs to take. This is the night to banish bitter memories of wretched home losses to Orlando in Round 2 last spring. For the Hawks, this is a massive night both psychologically and mathematically.
And with that, the floor is again yours. (Until I feel like saying something else, which I’m fairly sure I will.) I invite you to sit next to me — psychologically if not physically — as Game 3 unfolds. And if you’re asking me who will win, I’m saying the Hawks.
By Mark Bradley
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479 comments Add your comment
Justin
April 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
Ok, I was joking about the Crawford thing. If only it were funny.
GT Alum
April 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
Oh, great. With the man who doesn’t play defense playing the point now, I guess we can expect Jameer to go off now.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:21 pm
TV TO is OK need to settle and come back out with the UP-Tempo game.
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
8:21 pm
Zaza is a native of the country of Georgia
todd grantham
April 22nd, 2011
8:21 pm
Not really familiar with the location of Tbilsi though. Maybe its near Canton.
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:21 pm
Hawks by two after 6:05.
Justin
April 22nd, 2011
8:21 pm
Mark it down. If Heinrich sits until half, it will be the demise of this season and Drew’s Hawks coaching career.
todd grantham
April 22nd, 2011
8:22 pm
thwg, thanks but i never really got into that Confederate reenactment stuff.
Justin
April 22nd, 2011
8:22 pm
Crawford let Jameer have 13 points in 3 minutes the other night. This is going to be a problem.
CONservative Johnson
April 22nd, 2011
8:23 pm
This win will be sweeter with the Hawks hater in the ESPN booth . . .
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
8:23 pm
What is this? Hate on Hawks broadcast? Geez
Ole Hawks Fan
April 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
JC1 is not a PG>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Free Jeff Teague!
todd grantham
April 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
I believe that Sonny Perdue is from the country of Georgia
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
Todd grantham WHAT? HAHAHAHHHAHAAH
It is just past east Jesus and south of neverbendar. LOL
BAD /WEAK CALL
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
Freaking NICE drive.
todd grantham
April 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
Georgians can be one of many things. Slavs, slobs or perhaps both. heh
Justin
April 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
Ok, SVG just took Jameer out when he had Crawford guarding him. Huh???
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:26 pm
D WHITE your DADDY can’t charge people with NBA fouls.
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:26 pm
Hawks up five. Howard goaltend after a charging foul.
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:27 pm
Magic trying to drive on the Hawks
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
8:27 pm
We’re going to have to do something about Josh guarding Hedo at the point
todd grantham
April 22nd, 2011
8:28 pm
said larry drew
i want the proud, the few
not just marines
even if thats how it seems
just want al to cover em like the dew
Tech Fan
April 22nd, 2011
8:28 pm
Alright, just got home to watch….has anyone placed a wager on when Rathburn gets pissed at a bad call and jumps out of the booth to choke out a ref?
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:28 pm
Don’t need guys HURT and in the Locker room.
todd grantham
April 22nd, 2011
8:28 pm
i cant believe theres not been a palming call yet
todd grantham
April 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
constitution: the souths standard newspaper
journal: covers Dixie like the dew
now which paper would you read
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
Oh Marvin, you can’t lead a break
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
Williams charges on the break. Could see that coming for 30 feet
todd grantham
April 22nd, 2011
8:31 pm
how many players are on the active roster? 15?
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:31 pm
You REALLY have to RESPECT D. Howard’s game. He plays hard and makes the REFS make the call. That was a HARD CHARGE and now we get the ball back.
The GAME is flowing like MUD or the HOOCH after a heavy rain. GO HAWKS do it. Make the NBA matter to local fans again.
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:31 pm
Twelve players active for a given game.
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:32 pm
Game 4: Sunday. Game 5: Tuesday.
Todd asked.
chas
April 22nd, 2011
8:33 pm
How many moving screens is Howard going to get away with? Do they assume that because he is big he should get away with all physicality?
soldierman
April 22nd, 2011
8:33 pm
Let’s Go Hawks! what happened to driving to the rim?
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:34 pm
Horford gets fouled and goes after Ryan Anderson.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:34 pm
Please STAY with ME MB. You know it is a CRAZY day when I FOLLOW a whole NBA game. I do LOVE me some MB Kentucky Blue and ALL. LOL
soldierman
April 22nd, 2011
8:34 pm
Mark who is number 5 for the magic?
Justin
April 22nd, 2011
8:34 pm
Wait a second, Teague still plays for the Hawks?
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
8:35 pm
Teague sitting!
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
8:35 pm
siting
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:35 pm
DAMN the DUKE SHARP SHOOTER gets a 3
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:37 pm
Teague with a BAD SHOT, He was SCARED to make that shot. needed to take a HARD Step and move in the LANE.
Mike
April 22nd, 2011
8:37 pm
David Stern won’t let this happen.
soldierman
April 22nd, 2011
8:37 pm
is it me or does it look likeJT0 just kinds of throws the ball up toward the hoop. almost as if he’s shocked he has to shoot?
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:38 pm
Tied at 25, one period gone.
Magic are hitting treys. That’s the series in a nutshell: If they make threes, they can win. If not, the Hawks win
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:38 pm
Lunch taste just like LEATHER. Howard just abused you.
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
8:39 pm
Quentin Richardson is No. 5 for the visiting side.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
8:39 pm
MARK are you still mad? I am sorry and I told you why I lost it. This is a GREAT GAME for now.
soldierman
April 22nd, 2011
8:40 pm
thanks
Justin
April 22nd, 2011
8:41 pm
Mark, how does the defensive intensity look for both teams?