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
CONservative Johnson
April 22nd, 2011
9:43 pm
lol Holman says Bass was stylin and profilin instead of getting the ball in the hoop!
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
9:44 pm
TAKE JOSH OUT!!!
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:44 pm
No!!!!! Smoove what the hell!!
soldierman
April 22nd, 2011
9:44 pm
Hawks looking really flat right now. We gotta regain our composure
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:45 pm
Nice CON…need to turn that broadcast on…..
GT Alum
April 22nd, 2011
9:45 pm
Nice flop by Twin. Seriously, like Teague could bull him over like that.
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:45 pm
Not good hawks….
GT Alum
April 22nd, 2011
9:45 pm
Oops, Nelson.
Section 212
April 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
Stop letting the friggin shot clock run down!!!! Shoot early!!!
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
Hawks w/4 points this quarter
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
we need a timeout
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
They look like I do when I am alone shootin hoops
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
9:47 pm
WTF I think a Hocky Game just broke out in an NBA game. Oh Oh sorry the NHL and the NBA re the same thing. I thought this was a NON-contact sport. HAHHAHAHHA. Dude you got to FIGHT your way out the Ghetto. THE NBA is the JOKE we all know it is.
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:47 pm
Sorry they actually look better
BravesFaninAugusta
April 22nd, 2011
9:47 pm
Blow up this team starting with Smith
2 FOR JOHN DREW
April 22nd, 2011
9:47 pm
DH just called Twin …… ” a trick” … for flopping on Jameer Nelson !!!!!!!!!!!! lol
Section 212
April 22nd, 2011
9:48 pm
Horford is having a bad quarter
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
9:49 pm
Jamal didn’t give the ball up on that last possession
Thor !
April 22nd, 2011
9:49 pm
Having Horford in the game at power forward with collins forces Josh to play a 3 rather than his natural position and changes the entire offense. If horford could play center we wouldnt be having this problem but because he wont and begs not to play the position he throws every body else out.
Horford need to go.
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
9:49 pm
Big sequence. J.J.R. misses a trey in transition that would have given Orlando its first lead. Josh Smith scores going the other way and is fouled.
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:50 pm
We need to let Crawford let loose….hes primed for it right now!!
Bill
April 22nd, 2011
9:50 pm
No D and little O..bad shot selection
Thor !
April 22nd, 2011
9:51 pm
Put josh back at his position where he can be near the basket, sit fake allstar and let collins/zaza plus Josh be the front court. Trade Horfords sorry a_ _
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
9:52 pm
The HAKS are what we knew they were and the Refs will help keep it close. The NBA needs people to watch and buy tickets and this is how they do it. Hawks lose in 5 games and by 5-7 points in their games. ATL fans get sucked in again and waste money. People Follow College Football, Baseball, and Basketball. It is a better VALUE for your dollar.
Thor !
April 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm
Al needs to go. Hes making the team worst by begging out of the center spot. Josh is much better than horford.
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm
Nice D baby!!
Big Benn
April 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm
Blow up the annoucer first then the rest of the team
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm
Was that a goal tend??
Thor !
April 22nd, 2011
9:54 pm
What is Horfords purpose?
thwg
April 22nd, 2011
9:54 pm
Smoove left Hedo again…
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
9:55 pm
Orlando has missed four or five chances to go ahead
Thor !
April 22nd, 2011
9:55 pm
josh clearing the boards, this team is faster with horford on the bench
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:56 pm
Thor! horford is not is just not the same playing the magic bacause he cant match up against anyone. He is stuck most of the time playin the five….he is a natural 4 and I am sick of us trying to make him a 5
Tdawg
April 22nd, 2011
9:56 pm
Wow looks like the bad hawlks have found themselves. They usually wait until the 4th quarter to fall apart. Looks like they’re going to get a early start tonight. I suppose we’ll see what they are made of tonight, want we?
Thor !
April 22nd, 2011
9:56 pm
Smith to the rack, he couldnt do that if fake allstar horford was in the game
soldierman
April 22nd, 2011
9:57 pm
damn jam wow!
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:57 pm
Jamal!!!! Told you…we need this guy to take over!!!
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm
hat WAS the BALL GAME.
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm
I think the Hawks will win by 4.
Mark Bradley
April 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm
Atlanta 66, Orlando 62. One quarter to play.
TC
April 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm
Hold the 4 up….Joe needs to earn his money here baby!!
soldierman
April 22nd, 2011
9:59 pm
Here we go! Let’s go baby 4th quarter lets see what these cats are made of!
Thor !
April 22nd, 2011
10:00 pm
tc I have no problem admitting that horford has been an undersized under skilled center who is better suited as a power forward. Problem is hes been used as a center since college. I agree he is a power forward, problem is so is Josh and Id rather have josh at the PF than Horford who doesnt play defense regardless of where hes play. Josh>horford!
TC
April 22nd, 2011
10:00 pm
Rathburn just confirmed with me that he will jump off the top turnbuckle and give a flying elbow to the next ref who has another bad call.
Section 212
April 22nd, 2011
10:01 pm
Put Horford back at the 5 to start this quarter. Then post JJ and Smoove, make Howard play some D. Horford will be open for 15 footer every time
Coach D
April 22nd, 2011
10:01 pm
What’s been the Hawks biggest lead. Just started watching….
TC
April 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm
Yeah but Center in college and ccenter in the NBA two different things…but yes…who do you want at the 4 josh or horford…I agree. I defenitly am sick of Drew throwing josh at the 3 sometimes as if he is some stroker from beyond the arc…
51WTGW50
April 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm
MAN the NBA is SUCKING us in. The HAWKS can’t get past the 2nd round but they are going to make it exciting.
TC
April 22nd, 2011
10:03 pm
JJ just has to earn his money here…..period.
Coach D
April 22nd, 2011
10:03 pm
If Howard can that…. Drive, turn, etc. We’re in trouble!!! Still can’t shoot free throws!!!