NBA Update: Smith and Horford push Hawks past Magic, 84 - 74
It was ugly, but a 10-point win is exactly what Hawks needed. Josh Smith and Al Horford both had a double-double as Atlanta Hawks went into Orlando Magic to get 14th win of the season at Amway Center, Orlando. 18,846 basketball fans witnessed
the great victory of the visiting team.
Prominent players
Josh Smith posted 19 points and 13 rebounds and Al Horford chipped in 16 to lead the Atlanta Hawks. Jamal Crawford and Mike Bibby netted 15 and 13 points, respectively.
Vince Carter scored a team-high 18 points for Magic in the loss. Dwight Howard contributed 14 points, grasped 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. Rashard Lewis and Brandon Bass scored 10 points apiece.
Game Story
After a nasty performance at Bradley Center, all eyes were on the second game of the home team with a hope to make a great comeback, a home affair against the Atlanta Hawks, as if this game would seemingly validate what happened in Palace of Auburn Hills.
However, the flu-ridden Orlando Magic disappointed the home crowd.
Previously the stinging stomach problem kept three key Magic’s players out of the game. However, what happened this time? Magic got three back.
The Atlanta Hawks, who ended their road trip with a disappointing defeat in the previous game against Miami, bounced back with an impressive win for the first time in Orlando since the opening game of the 2008-09 season.
"Mentally, this is a big boost for our guys," "We've come away empty-handed here for a very, very long time. ... I do not know if it breaks the spell. I just know tonight (that) our guys did a great job of finishing,” Hawk’s Coach Larry Drew.
Atlanta’s game strategy was clear-cut and simple - - they protected the ball from rivals, played quality shots, limited turnovers, played tenacious defense, and won the game. Great job Hawks and welcome back to the win column!
Both teams started the game with a thirst for a victory as they were slumped to defeats in their previous matches.
The Magic and Hawks began the game at a crisp pace, using 19 possessions apiece in the opening quarter.
In the second quarter, Hawks got it going offensively, and used that to slowly build up a 2-point lead at the half, scoring 17 points in the second quarter, all while holding Magic to 14.
In the third, Indiana continued to up their lead, eventually capping out at 34 points, before Cleveland fought hard to make the score a respectable one,
The third quarter was an incredibly tight game in which neither team led by more than 2 points – thanks to Smith’s Dunk Shot with thirty seconds to go that provided Hawks with one point lead, 54 – 53.
Atlanta never trailed in the fourth, though a Carter bucket at 5:51 pulled the Magic within, 64-62. However, it took the hosts over four minutes to score again.
Carter of Magic cut the margin to 73-70 on a three-point play with 40.2 seconds to go, but Atlanta’s Bibby answered with a another trey to extend the lead.
The magic fought hard with two minutes to go in the final buzzer, chipped away at the Hawks lead, cutting it to as little with Vince Carter's three-point play with 40 seconds left. However, once again Bibby hit a big shot, connecting on second trey to seal
the deal for Atlanta.
Atlanta’s Al Horford appreciated the effort of the rival, "They are the team that always seems to stand in our way. It is a huge win. There is no question about it."
Climax of the Game
With the Magic daringly trying for a basket with 3:02 remaining, Howard was been called for an offensive foul (without the ball). Bibby's subsequent 3-pointer gave Atlanta a nine-point lead with 2:45 left.
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