Jamal Crawford leads Atlanta Hawks to 88-84 win over Orlando Magic: NBA Playoffs 2010-11 Recap
Jamal Crawford came off the bench with a game-high 23 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with six seconds remaining, as the Atlanta Hawks cruised past the Orlando Magic 88-84 on Friday night. It was the third game of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final series, with Atlanta leading 2-1.
Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu and J.J. Redick missed three-pointers in the final minute of the game which could have sent the game into overtime. Guard Joe Johnson had 21 points, five assists and five rebounds for the Hawks, who finished the regular season with a 44-38 record.
Forward Josh Smith added 15 points and 10 rebounds while Al Horford finished with 13 points and three rebounds in the victory.
The dazzling Dwight Howard was the only bright spot for Orlando in the defeat, pouring in 21 points along with 11 rebounds 15 rebounds. Jason Richardson posted 14 points and nine rebounds while Jameer Nelson ended with 13 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in the defeat.
Match Analysis
The Hawks remained hot throughout the game. Their best quarter was the second in which they limited the Magic to just 17 points.
Atlanta got off to a good start as they went on a 5-0 run to take an initial lead. The Hawks extended their lead to as many as five points midway through the opening quarter. However, Orlando countered by scoring the last eight points in the first to leave the game tied at 25, heading into the second.
Atlanta maintained a strong shooting percentage in the second quarter and outscored the Magic 26-17, carrying a 51-42 lead at half time. The Magic fought back in the third quarter but the Hawks still shot 52 percent from the field and took a 66-62 lead into the final stanza.
The game's leading scorer, Crawford, missed some very easy shots early in the fourth quarter to allow the Magic to take a one-point lead at 69-68. Crawford got his hot shooting touch back and hit a pair of free throws and a three-pointer to extend the Hawks lead to 79-71 with six minutes remaining in the fourth.
Zaza Pachulia was upset at Crawford for missing the shots but was satisfied with the way his team-mate had redeemed himself. Pachulia said, breaking into a big smile, "At first, I was a little upset he missed the free throw. But I have forgotten about that free throw."
The Magic were back in the game when they went on a 10-3 run to take an 82-81 lead with a minute and a half to go in the game. Johnson answered with a pair of free throws to give the Hawks a one-point lead.
Orlando's Brandon Bass then hit a jump shot with the clock running down to put them ahead by one. However, Al Horford’s jump shot and a breath-taking three-pointer by Crawford in the closing seconds, sealed the victory for Atlanta.
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