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Home , 2005 NBA draft, Adonal Foyle, Al Horford, Andrew Bogut, Atlanta Hawks, Brandon Bass

PE02 I SCORE Get In The Game!

Woodson’s crew depending on home-court edge to get back in the series nfortunately, the road proved unkind to make the extra pass in order to get their scor- and when to let him go. Both have experi- Uthe Hawks once again as they return ers open looks. enced foul trouble in the series and cannot home for tonight’s Game 3 matchup in a seri- All too often, Hawks players are trying to be forced to the bench when the team ous hole, down 2-0. Two double-digit defeats create buckets on their own. This was especial- needs them on the court. have been the outcome thus far. However, a ly the case in the second half of Game 2, when If there is one stat that bodes well for poor second half in Game 2 put a damper on the team hit a cold streak. A bright spot in the the Hawks tonight, it’s that they are 9-4 what had the makings of a team finally play- game was the play of , who hit his over the last three years in the playoffs at ing with the intensity to compete with the mid-range jump shot with consistency. Arena. Magic. Atlanta is still in search of putting Horford’s ability to score in the lane will be “Go home and win. We’ve been together a complete game against Orlando, crucial tonight, not only to provide the Hawks pretty good on our floor,” Hawks coach who has yet to lose in the postseason and with much-needed points as Orlando has told Antonio Gonzalez of seem to have saved their best for scored well into triple digits in both games, but the Associated Press. “They took care of when it counts the most. also to stretch Orlando’s defense. On the rare their business on their home floor. We’re occasion, when Howard is out of the game, going to see what we’re made of.” GAME 2 IMPROVEMENT … there should be more of an attempt to get Perhaps the Hawks can once again While the Hawks provided a glimpse of Horford the ball at the low post. Hawks missed channel a little magic of their own as hope on Thursday night especially in the second opportunities to do so in Game 2, especially in they won the last decision between the quarter, where they outscored the Magic 30-17 the third quarter, which could have changed two teams in Atlanta on an epic game- en route to taking a 57-49 halftime lead, lapses the outlook of the game. winning dunk by Smith. on offense and defense still plagued the team The Hawks recently received more down the stretch. Orlando was able to make short SLOWING THE MAGIC … accolades as was selected work Atlanta’s lead with an early third-quarter Defensively, Atlanta is really going to to the All-NBA third team. His first run even though was out of the have to step up the pressure, because Howard, selection, Johnson averaged 21.6 ppg, game. Howard is averaging 25 ppg and 14.5 rpg , and Vince 4.6 rpg and 4.9 apg during the regular in the series with two double-doubles. Carter have provided a four-pronged attack of season. It’s been frustrating for Johnson Tonight, on offense, the Hawks must their own that has made it a nightmare for the at times during the playoffs. He is aver- improve upon Game 2 where their big four Joe Hawks. Orlando specializes in being able to aging just below 20 points per game Johnson, , and Al make the extra pass, so it is essential for and is yet to have a game that he left Horford, combined for 84 of the teams 98 perimeter defenders to rotate especially on his definitive mark on. Always more points. Johnson finished the night shooting 5- lethal three- tries. In game 2, Howard, solid on defense than he is given cred- for-16 and Crawford went 7-for-18 from the Lewis, Nelson and Carter combined for 93 it for, Johnson needs to be clicking in floor. With the Magic’s sweltering defense and points, almost as much as the Hawks’ team all facets of his game in Game 3 if the SUPER : First-year Hawk Jamal Crawford is averaging second-chance opportunities at a minimum total. Howard is as difficult to guard as they Hawks want new life in this series. 15.4 points per game for Atlanta, which is second-best on the team. due in large part to a certain All-NBA first- come, therefore Horford and Smith must use Gupta can be reached at Crawford has consistantly been one of the Hawks' top scoring team , the Hawks must find a way to excellent judgment on when to foul Superman [email protected]. threats despite not starting a single game. Photo courtesy of Jon Barash.

WWW.HAWKS.COM HAWKS-MAGIC PLAYOFF EDITION 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 03PE 2010 ATLANTA HAWKSHAWKS/ORLANDO/ ROSTERS

10 • G 33 RYAN ANDERSON • F Acquired by a in 2008, Mike Bibby has been a key piece to the Hawks’ Ryan Anderson is in his first year with the Magic and has been a solid con- three consecutive playoff berths. Bibby, a former All-American at Arizona, tributor off the bench. Anderson averaged eight points and four rebounds per averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 assists per game for the Hawks this year. game in the regular season.

34 • G 22 • F A former Stanford , center Jason Collins joined Atlanta through free Having been in the league since 2002, the former UCLA Bruin provides depth agency this past off-season. Collins is an eight-year veteran who played and veteran experience that has come in handy this year. Barnes started in with the Nets, Grizzlies and Timberwolves before becoming a Hawk. 58 games in 2009-2010, averaging nine points and five rebounds.

11 JAMAL CRAWFORD • G 30 • F The former Michigan star is a career 15.5 point per game scorer, but, Brandon Bass is a big-body forward, standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 250 until this season, had not yet experienced the NBA playoffs. Crawford pounds, but has seen very little action during the playoffs. Bass averaged six has flourished in his role as the team’s sixth man. points and two rebounds in 50 games this year, his first with the Magic.

1 MAURICE EVANS • F-G 15 • G/F Evans was a career journeyman, playing for a different team in seven The former rookie of the year and the eight-time all star has been a major consecutive seasons, before landing with the Hawks in summer 2008. key in the Magic’s success this season. Carter only averaged 16 points per Evans has added depth and versatility to the Hawks bench. game this season, but still has the ability to put up big numbers.

15 AL HORFORD • C-F 31 ADONAL FOYLE • C A two-time national champion at Florida, Horford became an All-Star for He is one of the oldest players on the roster, as he was drafted by the Golden the Hawks in his third year in the NBA. Horford, a double-double State Warriors in 1997. Foyle has not played, and will not play a game this machine, averaged 14.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game this year. season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery before the season began.

2 JOE JOHNSON • G 13 • C Johnson has made the All-Star team four times and has led the team in Known as the Polish Hammer, Gortat has provided good play off the bench scoring in each of his five seasons as a Hawk. Johnson eclipsed the career when Dwight Howard needs a rest. When the Magic went to the Finals last 10,000-point mark earlier this season, in a 110-107 loss to the Bucks. year, Gortat became the first Polish-born player to appear in the NBA Finals.

33 • C 12 DWIGHT HOWARD • C The hometown star Morris averaged 23 points, 16 rebounds and 8 Over the past six seasons, Dwight Howard has established himself as the blocks per game as a senior at Atlanta’s Landmark Christian High most dominant center in the NBA. He’s the reigning defensive player of the School. Morris signed with the Hawks in the summer of 2008. year and won the title this year, averaging 13 boards per contest.

27 • C-F 8 ANTHONY JOHNSON • G Pachulia, from Tbilisi, , signed with the Hawks back in August of Johnson has been a journeyman in his NBA career, playing for eight different 2005 and has since become a fan favorite in Atlanta. Pachulia is a key teams since joining the league in 1997-98. Hawks fans should know Johnson contributor off the bench for the Hawks with his tenacity and toughness. well, as he played for the Hawks in 1998-2000 and then again from 2007-08.

32 • F-C 9 RASHARD LEWIS • F The No. 1 pick in the 1995 draft, Joe Smith’s 14 seasons in the NBA are This two-time NBA All-Star has been one of the more consistent players for more than any other Hawk. Atlanta became the 10th NBA team Smith the Magic. Lewis averaged 14 points per game in the regular season and has played for when he signed with the Hawks in August 2009. had one of his best playoff games in his career in Game 2.

5 JOSH SMITH • F 14 JAMEER NELSON • G “J-Smoove” was born and raised in Georgia. Smith has become one The former St. Joseph Hawk is having his best year with Orlando, as he of the most exciting players in the NBA to watch, with his high-flying made his first all-star game appearance this year. The has been dunks on offense and bucket-denying blocks on defense. money in the playoffs, averaging 22 points per game.

0 • G 20 MICKAEL PIETRUS • F The Hawks’ first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Jeff Teague is the only Atlanta The from France is in his second year with the Magic and has rookie. A college star at Wake Forest, Teague averaged 18.5 points, 3.5 been a great contributor on the bench. Pietrus scored 13 points in Game 2 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game in his final collegiate season. and has averaged nearly 10 points per game in the playoffs this year.

6 • G 7 J.J. REDICK • G West has spent his entire basketball career in the greater Atlanta area. Redick is not the player that he was when he was at Duke, but has been a A high-school standout at Douglas County, West played college ball at key bench player for the Magic the last few years. He played only four min- before signing with the Hawks in 2007. utes in Game 2, but expect him to be a factor in Game 3.

24 • F 44 JASON WILLIAMS • G A key piece to the North Carolina championship run in 2005, Williams This 10-year veteran has been known for his unorthodox style at the point was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He has been a regu- guard position and his amazing no-look passes. Williams does not see a lot lar starter in his last three seasons in Atlanta. of time on the court, but he provides playoff experience.

MIKE WOODSON • HC • HC Woodson’s teams have improved in the win column every year Van Gundy has done an amazing job with the Magic since taking over in since being named head coach in 2004. In his first year, the 2007. He has led the Magic to three consecutive division titles and in the Hawks won just 13 games while this year they won 53. last two years Orlando has won 59 games.

WWW.HAWKS.COM PE04 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

WWW.HAWKS.COM HAWKS-MAGIC PLAYOFF EDITION 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 05PE

WWW.SCOREATL.COM PE06 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

WWW.HAWKS.COM HAWKS-MAGIC PLAYOFF EDITION 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 07PE

Howard and Orlando have had the Magic touch thus far in the playoffs ith all the attention LeBron James and the Atlanta native shot just 59.2 percent from 100 percent. Nelson averaged 12.4 points in Wthe got during the the free-throw line during the regular season. 65 regular-season games, but in addition to regular season, it would be easy to forget that On Thursday, however, he drained 13 of 18 his two playoff performances against the the Orlando Magic are the reigning Eastern from the charity stripe. Hawks, he also torched the Bobcats for 32 Conference Champions. Well, they are mak- “He took some hard hits on the offensive points on two different occasions. ing it easy to remember now. end of the floor,” said Magic head coach Stan “Jameer's the key,” Orlando forward Playing like they have a title to defend, Van Gundy. “That's led to some frustration and Matt Barnes said after the Game 1 rout. the Magic are 6-0 in these playoffs following at times retaliation on his part. He got hit damn “He's the floor general. He gets every- a four-game sweep of Charlotte and two vic- hard tonight, blows that would have dropped a body involved.” tories over the Hawks earlier this week at lot of people, certainly me. I think he held his Amway Arena. Atlanta showed signs of composure well.” HAWKS GROUNDED … rebounding from a 114-71 blowout loss in Nelson’s health may be music to the Game 1, but Orlando took the visitors’ best FULL NELSON … Magic’s ears, but it certainly has not shots before pulling away for a 112-98 win As if ‘Superman’ is not enough by him- helped the Hawks, whose frustration in Game 2 on Thursday night. self, Orlando is one of the deepest teams in the against Orlando is reaching a peak. After league and it has the ability to pull out victo- losing three of four against its Southeast HOW DO YOU STOP HOWARD? … ries in different ways. After all, that is usually Division rivals, Atlanta talked about While the Hawks caught a break in their the case when a ballclub chalks up 59 wins in how it could its speed to offset the first-round series with with center the regular season and goes six for its first six Magic’s superior size. Instead, the sidelined due to a broken in the playoffs. Hawks had no fast break of any kind in thumb, they are suddenly making a leap from The Magic out-rebounded the Hawks by Game 2 while Orlando caught Josh playing one of the smallest teams in the league wide margins in each of the four regular-season Smith lagging behind at the offensive to going up against one of the biggest, most meetings and the hosts pounded the glass in the end on multiple occasions. physical foes. , and form of a 53-35 advantage on Tuesday. Two days The Hawks finally figured out Ersan Ilyasova are nice players. Dwight later, Atlanta finally got the best of Orlando on how to hammer away down low Howard? In a bit of a different league. the boards, winning that battle 41-35. against Milwaukee, but the Magic are They call him ‘Superman’ for a reason, Enter Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter and allowing nothing of the sort. Don’t be folks. Howard (18.3 ppg. 13.2 rpg in the reg- Mickael Pietrus. The backcourt trio combined fooled by Al Horford’s 24-point per- ular season) towered over the Hawks for 21 for six three-pointers and 57 points on 20-for- formance in Game 2; Big Al was sim- points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in just 29 28 shooting in Game 2. Carter has 44 points ply on fire and scored almost all of minutes of Game 1 work, then he dominated and is 9-for-9 from the line through two con- his points with mid-range jumpers Game 2 with 29 points and 17 boards. tests. Nelson is averaging 19.5 points and 5.5 (and six free throws). Smith had 18 Atlanta backup center Jason Collins logged points while going 15-of-26 from the floor so points on Thursday, but he turned the ball exactly one minute of action on Thursday far this series. over five times because of reckless forays I AM SUPERMAN: Magic center Dwight Howard is averag- and picked up three fouls—each one in an The former St. Joe’s star missed consider- into the Howard-owned lane. ing 14.8 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks so far in the attempt to defend Howard. able time both this season and last with injuries, Dimon can be reached at 2009-2010 postseason. However, Howard is shooting just Hack-a-Howard is not a bad strategy, as but he is a different player with his left knee at [email protected]. 49.2 percent from the foul line. Photo courtesy of the Orlando Magic.

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