Orlando Magic defeat Atlanta Hawks 88-82 in Game 2: NBA Playoff Recap
Dwight Howard scored a game-high 33 points and put up 19 boards as the Orlando Magic beat the Atlanta Hawks 88-82 in the second game of their playoff series at the Amway Centre on Tuesday night.
The Magic-Hawks best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final series is now tied at one game each, with Game Three to be played on Friday night at the Philips Arena. The Hawks will try their level best to defend their home court advantage and take the lead.
Guard Jameer Nelson had 13 points and eight rebounds while forward Hedo Turkoglu ended with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in the victory. Jamal Crawford came off the bench with 25 points while Josh Smith racked up 17 points and six rebounds in
the defeat.
Joe Johnson added 14 points, five assists and seven rebounds while centre-forward Al Horford finished with 10 points and as many rebounds for the Hawks.
First Quarter Recap
Orlando got off to a quick start to take an early 10-6 lead in the first quarter. The Hawks then scored five unanswered points in the next minute to take an 11-10 lead. The Magic managed to make it free throw line and carried a 14-11 advantage with two minutes
to go in the quarter. However, everything changed in the last minute of the quarter, as Atlanta went on an 8-2 run to take a 22-16 lead into the second.
Second Quarter Recap
The Hawks came out strongly in the second quarter, as they lead 32-22 with over nine minutes to go. Orlando found their rhythm in the last three minutes of the quarter and went on a 12-3 run, taking a 48-42 lead into the locker room.
Third Quarter Recap
Smith hit a floating jump shot to trim the six-point half time deficit to just two points with over three minutes to go in the third quarter. Howard hit a pair of free throws while Turkoglu hit a three-pointer to make it 65-54 heading into the final stanza.
Fourth Quarter Recap
Trailing by 11 points after three quarters, the Hawks came out strong in the fourth quarter to make it a two-point contest with two minutes remaining in the game. The Magic made it to the free throw line consistently and went on 10-4 run to seal victory.
While talking about the adjustments made after the defeat in the previous game, Magic coach Van Gundy said, "It is not anything I did -- our guys did it. You got to get out and take the challenge. ... Every game sort of takes on a life of its own and you
just got to do whatever it takes to get the win on that night."
Tags: