2011 Playoffs: (4) Magic vs. (5) Hawks

In what is sure to be the ugliest series of the first round, the Magic will be facing the Hawks. Atlanta has been dreadfully mediocre this year, which makes sense, as their 120 million dollar man has been mediocre. However, they have seemed to have Orlando's number this year.

Considering how much Atlanta sucks, I can't in good conscience give them more than two games here, but with the Magic's tendency to shoot threes (raising their standard deviation), coupled with Jason Collins's ability to guard Dwight, I got Orlando in 6.

I've got Magic in 5. Looking back at last year's sweep and how bad they suck right now, I think I'm being generous to the Hawks.

Orlando in 6 aswell. For the same reasons.

Orlando in 6, I like Howard so I'll be rooting for them. Hopefully Josh Smiths love for the three hasn't disappeared and he keeps taking them during the series.

I feel bad for Howard though, guy is literally surrounded by doodie (J-Rich excluded).

Magic in 6 as well.

Magic in 6. It will be interesting.

Got the Magic in 7.

I'm tempted to pick the Magic in six too, but the way the Hawks have had their number this year makes me think that this series could end up going the distance. The way the Hawks have faded a bit recently with Josh Smith being banged up still points to the Magic prevailing in my view so I'll still take them to advance, in seven.

I've got the Magic in 6 as well. The Hawks have Hinrich now who can guard the logjam of guards that Orlando has, and the way they've had their number this season makes it hard to think that Atlanta will be dismantled. In the end, I think the threes will fall for the Magic and Joe Johnson will continue to play mediocre.

Magic in 5.

I voted for Atlanta in 6, but if Dwight stays out of foul trouble for the most part, probably Orlando in 6

Going with Hawks in 7, only to be swept in the next round.

Orlando will take this series, voted for them in 6, but I think that Orlando could end the series even earlier.

Orlando in 6. Atlanta had the Magic's number this year...

Dang, I have Orlando in 4. The Hawks have been terrible, and I don't expect them to turn it up for the playoffs.

I got orlando in 6, i think philedelphia can sneak in a couple wins at home, interesting matchups. Marvin Williams vs Hedu Turkoglu should be a good offensive battle. Hedu wins that match up, Dwight Howard vs Al Horford. but i think its going to be orlando's gaurds to over take philedelphia. Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson should play well in that series.

i think philedelphia can sneak in a couple wins at home

Possibly, but it's unlikely they'll take any games in this series since they're not playing in it.

Meanwhile: Magic’s Howard won’t change as T’s pile up

Howard said before Monday’s game against the 76ers that he can’t let the way referees call a game “mess up my head.”

“Why switch up who I am?” he said. “The technical fouls that I’ve gotten, I don’t think they should have been, not all of them, called for technical fouls. Rolling the ball is normally a delay of game.”

I see where he's coming from, but I think he's got to play a little smarter than that. We all know the referees call some really stupid technicals at times, especially with their approach to calling them this season, but that's likely not going to change anytime soon. They might be a little more lenient in the postseason with the lower limit before the automatic suspension and an attitude of "it's the Playoffs, let them play", but he'd still be better off reigning it in a little and not giving them any reason to T him up.

Recently read an article about the Spurs and a tidbit there is that the Hawks lead the league in defending 3-pointers. Haven't bothered to confirm that stat but if it's true that may explain why they have the Magic's number all season.

Magic in 7.

Dwight Howard is an interesting player, but let me question, if he was 6-1, how good would he be? He has no three point shot, let alone free throw ability.

So I did what I always do, called up my sources, and let me tell you, they couldn't stop raving about the Hawks. One source described to me how Joe Johnson is a $120 million player who gets you close to 20 ppg. Nothing to argue with there. While Williams was a number two pick who has tons of upside. Again, no argument there. Kirk Hinrich is a winner who led Kansas to glory and Chicago to the playoffs. Tough to argue yet again.

I think the sources are hard to argue with, the Hawks want to save Larry Drew and the state of Georgia. The Magic are a disaster led by a combo Dennis Rodman/Wilt Chamberlain, aka, a loser.

Orlando in 4. I'm not reading anything into Atlanta's performance in the season series. They are nowhere near as talented as their seeding suggests. I think the 4 games can be close with Dwight Howard's futility from the line, but ultimately, Atlanta doesn't have the firepower to take a game in this series.

i think philedelphia can sneak in a couple wins at home

Possibly, but it's unlikely they'll take any games in this series since they're not playing in it.

Meanwhile: Magic’s Howard won’t change as T’s pile up

Howard said before Monday’s game against the 76ers that he can’t let the way referees call a game “mess up my head.”

“Why switch up who I am?” he said. “The technical fouls that I’ve gotten, I don’t think they should have been, not all of them, called for technical fouls. Rolling the ball is normally a delay of game.”

I see where he's coming from, but I think he's got to play a little smarter than that. We all know the referees call some really stupid technicals at times, especially with their approach to calling them this season, but that's likely not going to change anytime soon. They might be a little more lenient in the postseason with the lower limit before the automatic suspension and an attitude of "it's the Playoffs, let them play", but he'd still be better off reigning it in a little and not giving them any reason to T him up.

Lol Andrew big mistake on my part, i've been obsessed with philedelphia, what i meant to say is that i think the hawks can sneak in a couple, possibly one especially is Josh Smith is healthy, lol big mistake on my part i thought the thread said philedelphia lol, i mean the hawks.

And of course, the Hawks take Game 1 on the road.

Despite a game from Howard for the ages. I'm really out of adjectives to describe it.

46/19 is really wicked.

same with you Lamrock, Magic in 6.. but the hawks taken game 1 I'm not really expecting magic to win championship this year..