By John Carroll
The Atlanta Hawks beat the Orlando Magic in the pivotal Game 3 on a last second bank shot by Jamal Crawford. It is the fifth time they have beaten the Magic in the seven games they have played this season. The Magic have only themselves to blame for being down 2-1 in this series because they had a very poor defensive effort in the first half. Known as a strong defensive team the Magic did not play with the intensity and toughness necessary to win Game 3. The Magic allowed the Hawks to shoot 54.8 % from the field and build a 14 point second quarter lead. The Magic played an inspired second half defensively but due to their mediocre effort in the first half they lost a one possession game. The Magic are smart enough to understand what is needed to win on the road in the playoffs, and it is frustrating to see their team perform like they did last night. The Magic must come out with a much better effort for 48 minutes in Game 4, in order to tie this series up 2-2.
Game 4 will be played without Jason Richardson for Orlando and Zaza Pachulia for Atlanta. They were suspended for an altercation late in Game 3 when Pachulia head butted Richardson and Richardson retaliated with an open slap to Pachulia’s head. It will be interesting to see which suspension hurts the most. Will the Magic be affected without the perimeter play of Richardson? Or will the Hawks suffer because of their lack of depth at center? The Hawks have utilized Pachulia to defend Dwight Howard with Jason Collins and they need his defense and fouls to win this series.
The Atlanta Hawks beat the Orlando Magic in the pivotal Game 3 on a last second bank shot by Jamal Crawford. It is the fifth time they have beaten the Magic in the seven games they have played this season. The Magic have only themselves to blame for being down 2-1 in this series because they had a very poor defensive effort in the first half. Known as a strong defensive team the Magic did not play with the intensity and toughness necessary to win Game 3. The Magic allowed the Hawks to shoot 54.8 % from the field and build a 14 point second quarter lead. The Magic played an inspired second half defensively but due to their mediocre effort in the first half they lost a one possession game. The Magic are smart enough to understand what is needed to win on the road in the playoffs, and it is frustrating to see their team perform like they did last night. The Magic must come out with a much better effort for 48 minutes in Game 4, in order to tie this series up 2-2.
Game 4 will be played without Jason Richardson for Orlando and Zaza Pachulia for Atlanta. They were suspended for an altercation late in Game 3 when Pachulia head butted Richardson and Richardson retaliated with an open slap to Pachulia’s head. It will be interesting to see which suspension hurts the most. Will the Magic be affected without the perimeter play of Richardson? Or will the Hawks suffer because of their lack of depth at center? The Hawks have utilized Pachulia to defend Dwight Howard with Jason Collins and they need his defense and fouls to win this series.
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