ATL Hawks vs. ORL Magic Series Preview: Can Hawks Shock The World?

The 2008 Atlanta Hawks Motto

The Hawks are finding themselves in familiar territory this post-season. It seems like many are counting the Hawks out already like they were during the 2008 playoff series vs. the Celtics. Yeah, there are a few bold ones who did pick the Hawks to win this series, but the majority of the media/bloggers are picking the Magic to win this one. Some even have the Magic sweeping the Hawks. Could it be that everyone is overlooking this team? Or are the experts really called experts for a reason?

The experts can back up their picks with a lot of evidence, I know that. I’m not denying that the Hawks have reggressed. They clearly have. But the Orlando Magic has regressed as well. In my opinion, the two biggest reasons on why the Hawks struggled in their last series vs. the Magic were because the Hawks were unable to slow down neither Dwight or the perimeter players, and that the Orlando Magic had players that can single handedly stop all the Hawks’ offensive weapons.

Well this season, those two reasons are out the window. Jason Collins’ ability to guard Dwight one on one, not only limits Dwight’s effectiveness but also the Magic perimeter players’ effectiveness. The Hawks players are able to hone in against their own man since a double team isn’t that necessary with Collins guarding Dwight. Also, with Kirk Hinrich matching up with Jameer Nelson as opposed to Bibby matching up with Nelson, I would think Jameer will be less effective.

The Magic also now have a harder time matching up defensively with this Hawks team. Because Jason Collins is asked to play Center, Al Horford gets to match-up with Brandon Bass & Ryan Anderson offensively as opposed to matching-up with the  reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Also, the two best perimeter defenders the Magic had last season are gone. I felt both Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes played a big part on both Joe Johnson’s and Jamal Crawford’s struggles. Now, Jason Richardson, JJ Redick, and Quentin Richardson will be the ones to guard Joe and Jamal. Yeah, Joe and Jamal are significantly worst offensively this season, but I doubt either of them will struggle the way they did against Orlando last season.

The matchup is definitely a lot closer this season.* That being said, I’m not siding with the majority in this one. I think the Hawks pull this series off in six games and in front of their home crowd. Statistically, the Magic are better in almost every category, but I think the match-ups is something the Magic won’t be able to overcome.

It’s kinda hard not to be closer since the average margin of victory during the 4 game sweep was an NBA record high (25.3).

It’s been 3 seasons since the Hawks have been labeled the underdogs in the first round. In the past two seasons, the Hawks were the favorites to win when they had to face the Miami Heat (2009) and the Milwaukee Bucks (2010) in the first round. Both of those matchups, the Hawks won. Can the Hawks win their first playoff series as an underdog or will the trend continue of losing to teams that are more favored? All I know is, I hope we’re in for a good series. After the debacle in the second round in the playoffs last season, the least thing I want is another blowout series. If the Hawks can’t win the series, I at least hope they can match or get as close as this performance:

Final Thought: If the Hawks were to win this series, would you consider it an upset?

More bonus predictions if you click more…

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I love the Hawks but I’m just not a Hawks fan. I’m a big NBA fan so I figured I would give my predictions for the other series.

First Round:

(1) Bulls vs. (8) Pacers: 4-0 Bulls

(2) Heat vs. (7) 76ers: 4-2 Heat

(3) Celtics vs. (6) Knicks: 4-3 Celtics

(4) Magic vs. (5) Hawks: 4-2 Hawks

(1) Spurs vs. (8) Grizzlies: 4-1 Spurs

(2) Lakers vs. (7) Hornets: 4-0 Lakers

(3) Mavericks vs. (6) Blazers: 4-2 Mavericks

(4) Thunder vs. (5) Nuggets: 4-2 Thunder

Second Round:

(1) Bulls vs. (5) Hawks: 4-1 Bulls

(2) Heat vs. (3) Celtics: 4-3 Heat

(1) Spurs vs. (4) Thunder: 4-2 Thunder

(2) Lakers vs. (3) Mavericks: 4-3

Conference Finals:

(1) Bulls vs. (2) Heat: 4-2 Heat

(2)Lakers vs. (4) Thunder: 4-3 Lakers

NBA Finals:

(2)Lakers vs. (2) Heat: 4-3 Heat

NBA Champions:

Miami Heat. Congratulations Mike Bibby.

Tags: 2011 NBA Playoffs, Atlanta Hawks, First Round 2011, Orlando Magic, Shock The World