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Team confident after easy playoff opener but wary of letdown in Game 2

he Hawks scratched and clawed through- shooting (including 5-of-6 from the line) in GAME 2 … Tout a marathon 82-game season, fighting addition to grabbing 10 rebounds. It was not, On Sunday, Atlanta proved that, when at their way to 47 victories, all with one goal in however, so much about how much Smith its best, Miami is simply no match. In Game mind: capturing home-court advantage in the scored as it was about how he scored. 1 and throughout their regular season first round of the NBA Playoffs. As it turned Running the floor with relentless vigor and matchups, the Hawks controlled D-Wade out, the team’s win total was good enough to reckless abandon, J-Smoove was on the and exposed Miami for exactly what it is: a earn it the four seed and a first-round show- delivering end of five earth-shattering dunks, one-man team. down with Dwyane Wade and the Miami and an elated Philips Arena and deflated Still, for the Hawks, it is key that Heat. And with the right to play Games 1 and were the results. Sunday’s cakewalk doesn’t negatively impact 2 in the friendly confines of Philips Arena, “Josh Smith got a lot of lobs and fast- their focus on Wednesday’s challenge. Simply Sunday night’s goal was about maintaining break dunks that helped with the energy in put, if the team doesn’t approach Game 2 with such an advantage. Yet, by the time the Hawks the building,” Wade said after the game. the same intensity it harnessed in Game 1, the took the floor on Sunday, three teams—San “When that happens, the game can get away Heat will be sure to leave Philips with the Antonio, Portland and Boston—had already series tied at one game apiece, a fact that was relinquished their home-court advantages and from you pretty fast.” Despite all the flash and excitement, not lost on the Hawks even as early as late a fourth, the , was in the Sunday night. process of squandering an 18- third-quar- though, the true difference in the game could “We need to keep our focus behind us ter lead and control of its series. be found in the Hawks’ defense, not simply and not let them grasp any momentum,” The Hawks were most certainly aware of because they only allowed a measly 64 points Smith proclaimed. these upsets going into their first game: “We on the night and just 19 to the NBA’s regular- And when asked about the chances of a just wanted to come out with high energy and season scoring champion (Wade), but more Game 2 letdown, Bibby had the following to keep our foot on the pedal the entire night,” because their stingy D provided the stops say: “Zero [chance we have a letdown]. We’ve said Mike Bibby after Sunday’s that gave their explosive O the chances to get got to come out on Wednesday and play again lopsided win. out and run and score in transition. And, as just like we did tonight. I fully expect them to Keep their feet on the pedal the Hawks good as this Atlanta team can be, it is no bounce back in Game 2.” would, racing out to a 20-point halftime lead secret that it is at its best when flying up and From the sound of it, the Hawks will be before cruising to a 90-64 beatdown of the Heat. down the court. ready to soar once again tonight when Wade The demolition would go down as the team’s “We are an up-and-down team,” J- and the Heat come searching for redemption. biggest playoff win since an 89-69 win over Smoove explained. “I wanted to get in the And get J-Smoove talking about his confi- Detroit in May of 1999 and the 64 points scored fast-break and get some easy baskets. We ran dence in this team and its focus, and sudden- by the Heat tied a franchise record for fewest the floor well tonight for sure and got some ly the Hawks’ big picture, as far as Smith sees points allowed in a playoff game, matching the easy buckets as a result.” it, begins taking shape. STAY FOCUSED: Mike Bibby and the other 64 points Atlanta relinquished to the Charlotte Easy buckets was the name of the game on “We’re not scared to play anyone,” he Hawks stressed the importance of avoiding a Hornets in one game of a 1998 playoff series. Sunday and there is no doubt the Hawks will says. “I have so much confidence in myself letdown in Game 2 after cruising to victory in look to ignite their offense primarily with stops and my team. I think we can win a series TURNING OFF THE HEAT … and physical, efficient play on the defensive end against anyone in this league.” the playoff opener on Sunday night. The cover pho- On the night, Josh Smith led the way, of the floor, tonight and for as long as they are a Janovitz can be reached at tos are courtesy of David Carnes/Photographic Arts. The above photo scoring a team-high 23 points on 9-of-14 part of NBA playoff this season. [email protected]. is courtesy of David McGregor/Photographic Arts.

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Philips Arena crowd lifts Hawks to convincing victory over Heat in series opener

ome-court advantage. It’s something PACKED HOUSE … scoring 25 points in the third and fourth Hthat every NBA team strives for when For Game 1 on Sunday, the fans came to quarter combined. the season begins. In the Eastern Philips Arena early, sporting their blue and white After the game on Sunday, Josh Smith Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured colors and making noise from start to finish. talked about playing in the postseason and home-court advantage throughout the play- Last year in the playoffs, the Hawks playing in front of his home-town crowd. offs, including the NBA Finals, after finish- went into Game 3 against the Celtics down 2- “[The playoffs] mean a lot to me,” said Smith, who scored 23 points in the win. ing with the league’s best regular season 0 and looked as if they were going to get swept. But the fans packed Philips anyways “Being from [Atlanta] and being able to rep- record. The two, three and four seeds from and guys such as Josh Smith, Joe Johnson resent my city and playing for the Atlanta the East—the Celtics, Magic and our Atlanta and fed off the crowd’s energy Hawks is a dream. You definitely have to ele- Hawks—will play four of the seven first- and led the Hawks to a victory. Needless to vate your play when the postseason comes.” round games in their homes. say, after that series, more Atlanta natives Joe Johnson loved how the crowd was The Hawks finally got a piece of the decided to lend their support more frequent- able to give the team that extra boost it need- playoff pie last year when they took on the ly, which led to more victories this season. At ed to take Game 1 of the series. eventual world champion Boston Celtics in the beginning of the game on Sunday, “It was great,” Johnson said. “Once we the first Dwyane Wade threw down a monstrous jam get on a rise and get our fast breaks and round and and the crowd Josh [Smith] gets those dunks, it gets the The Hawks learned a lesson after they went silent. But crowd involved, which helps us extend our took them to Mike Bibby defense and put a little more pressure on seven games. lost to Boston at The Garden in that countered with the opposing team.” The three Game 7 last year: to have playoff a 3-pointer and games that the crowd KEEP IT UP … the Hawks success this time around, this young became vocal The way that the fans responded in won, not sur- team that feeds off its fans needed for the rest of Game 1 was great, but tonight can be even prisingly, the game. In better. It’s clear that the Hawks do well when were at more home playoff games. fact, the Hawks the fans come and do whatever they can to Philips faithful even got help the Hawks to victory. And with a stellar ROCK THE HOUSE: Philips Arena was packed under Wade’s skin a bit, booing the superstar performance in Game 1, Game 2 should Arena. The Hawks learned a lesson after they for the Game 1 blowout against the Heat, and whenever he had the ball. It seemed to work; bring even more excitement. And we know, the high-flying play of Josh Smith (23 points) lost to Boston at The Garden in that Game 7 Wade only scored 19 points, 11 points below Hawks fans will be right behind them, just raised fan excitement to a new level. Hawks last year: to have playoff success this time his regular season average. With Wade strug- like they have been all season long. fans have been supporting the home-town team around, this young team that feeds off its fans gling, the rest of the Heat offense could not Jones can be reached at all year long and are still going strong at play- needed more home playoff games. get anything going in the second half, only [email protected] off time. Photo courtesy of David Carnes/Photographic Arts.

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Team photo by Scott Cunningham

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Cleveland, Los Angeles dominating; are defending champions in trouble? ast week, for our Game 1 preview, I took have in Games 1 and 2. But, after allowing WEST … road, winning the series in five. La look at the playoffs outside of Atlanta rookie point guard Derrick Rose to dominate L.A. Lakers (1) vs. Utah (8): I San Antonio (3) vs. Dallas (6): The and discussed what I expected would take the playoff opener en route to a 36-point, 11- acknowledge that Utah is no typical eight Spurs got off to an early lead in Game 1 place. Now, with each series in progress, performance and Game 1 overtime seed, but the Lakers are still the better team, before falling 105-97 to the Mavericks in here’s a snapshot of what has transpired and, victory, Boston needed 30 points and a virtu- by a considerable margin, and have demon- front of a sellout San Antonio crowd. Dallas, perhaps, what is still in store. al buzzer-beating 3-pointer from strated just that in two home-court romps. If however, has absolutely no answer for Tony just to even the series at a game apiece. The Utah has something to hang its hat on it’s a Parker and the deadly Spur spurned the EAST … champs are still favored, but the young Bulls 33-8 record at home. The Lakers, however, Mavs for 38 points in a 105-84 Game 2 vic- Cleveland (1) vs. Detroit (8): Games 1 now have more than a shot. want this series over and done with and tory. Now tied at one game apiece, the Spurs and 2 played out just as most suspected, with Orlando (3) vs. Philadelphia (6): Cleveland running roughshod over the visit- should win Game 3 as a result. have regained control of the series. ing Pistons to the tune of 102-84 and 94-82 Orlando became one of four teams with Denver (2) vs. New Orleans (7): Portland (4) vs. Houston (5): I wasn’t beatings. Thanks to a 25-4 fourth-quarter run home-court advantage to lose Game 1, as it Despite the all-around brilliance of one surprised to see the Rockets Game 1. with LeBron James on the bench, Detroit fell to Philly 100-98 on Saturday night Chris Paul, the hobbled Hornets simply don’t But a 108-81 road thrashing of the Blazers? made Game 2’s final score look somewhat thanks to a game-winning prayer tossed in by have enough to hang with a much deeper Fear not Blazers enthusiasts, because respectable, but don’t be fooled: the Cavs led with 2.2 seconds remaining. Denver squad now led by Mr. Playoff him- ’s 42 Game 2 points saved 77-50 after three quarters. This series was Even more incredible, the Magic lost despite self, Chauncey Billups. In a 113-84 Game 1 Portland in last night’s 107-103 thriller. Still, over before it ever even started. an 18-point, third-quarter advantage and a beatdown, the Nuggets contained Paul (21 look for the Rockets to take a 3-1 lead with Boston (2) vs. Chicago (7): Few could 14-point lead to start the fourth. Call me points) and forced other Hornets to beat the next two games coming in Houston. have anticipated the -less crazy: Orlando should still comfortably dis- them, a task they couldn’t execute. Expect Janovitz can be reached at Celtics would struggle to the extent they pose of the Sixers in either five or six games. Denver to sweep at home and split on the [email protected].

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