Hawks at Magic
THE STORY: The Atlanta Hawks are limping into the postseason with six straight losses – not exactly the type of season-ending showing that creates optimism that the Hawks can exact revenge on the Orlando Magic. Fourth-seeded Orlando and fifth-seeded Atlanta open their first-round series on Saturday in Orlando in a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals. The Magic swept the Hawks a year ago and won the four games by an NBA playoff record margin of 25.3 points per game. Atlanta would like to think it has a chance at stunning the Magic this season after winning three of the four regular-season meetings between the two teams.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE MAGIC: Orlando led the NBA with 9.4 3-points baskets per game but was horrendous from 3-point range in four games against Atlanta. The Magic made just 19 of 86 3-pointers for a percentage of 22.6, well below their season average of 36.6. Inside, center Dwight Howard has been a dominating presence by averaging 22.9 points and 14.1 rebounds. Guard Jason Richardson averages 13.9 points per game and Jameer Nelson averages 13.1 points. Guard J.J. Redick (abdominal strain) isn’t expected to play in the opener.
ABOUT THE HAWKS: Atlanta’s season-ending skid included a humbling 32-point loss to the Washington Wizards. The Hawks haven’t won since beating the Boston Celtics on April 1. Center Jason Collins is expected back after missing the final four games of the regular season with an ankle injury. Collins will have the assignment of defending Howard. The health of forward Josh Smith is improving after he missed three April games with a knee injury. Guard Joe Johnson averages a team-best 18.2 points. Smith averages 16.6 points and 8.5 rebounds and forward Al Horford averages 15.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.
WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Howard is averaging 20.3 points and 12.2 rebounds in April. Johnson averaged just six points and made only 4 of 16 shots over Atlanta’s last two games.
KEY STATISTIC: Orlando made just four 3-pointers in three of the four meetings with Atlanta. The Hawks were fourth in the NBA in defensive 3-point percentage, limiting opponents to 33.8 percent.
SEASON SERIES: Atlanta won three of four meetings and split two games in Orlando, losing 93-89 on Nov. 8 and winning 80-74 on Dec. 6. The Hawks won at home 91-81 on Dec. 20 and 85-82 on March 30.
LAST WORD: “A lot of their players are already claiming they are already going to make the second round so that gives us a little added motivation, too. If that doesn’t get you geared up, I don’t know what does.” – Atlanta forward Josh Smith on the Orlando Magic expecting to dispatch of the Hawks in the first-round series.