Denton: Keys For Game 2

By John Denton
May 6, 2010

Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

ORLANDO – Orlandomagic.com writer John Denton breaks down the three keys in tonight’s Game 2 between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. at Amway Arena. The Magic lead the series 1-0.

1. Ride Dwight.

Howard is absolutely the X-factor in a series against the Hawks because Atlanta has little-to-no chance of stopping the Magic’s four-time all-star down low. He’s too big and strong for Al Horford and too athletics for Zaza Pachulia and Jason Collins. Howard destroyed Horford, an all-star this season for the first time, in Game 1, twice blocking his shot and twice dunking over the former Florida Gator.

How also did a good job of controlling his emotions and playing under control in game 1. That, of course, was a big difference from the Charlotte series when persistent foul trouble dogged Howard. The Magic center was able to play 22 minutes straight in the first half on Tuesday while picking up just one foul. He played 28 minutes for the game, and that certainly would have been much longer had the score not been so lopsided.

Howard also played a major role in Atlanta’s shooting woes in Game 1 by blocking five shots. The game just flows so much easier for the Magic with No. 12 anchored in the post and Orlando must keep him happy, aggressive and on the floor.

2. Break the will of the Hawks early in the game. That 43-point beatdown had to spark plenty of doubt into the minds of the Hawks. It’s just a continuation of what’s gone on the past two years as the Magic have now won seven of the past eight games against Atlanta. In the process, the Magic have won games by 43, 34 and 32 points and won three games this season by an average of 16.2 points per game.

If the Magic can race to another early lead tonight, the Hawks might pack it in early and turn their sights toward Game 3 in Atlanta. After all, the Hawks are just 2-18 on the road in the playoffs since 1997, and the current team that has been together much of the past three seasons is just 2-8 on the road in the postseason.

3. Spread the wealth around.

Yes, the Magic have a decided advantage at center with Howard. But where they also have a major advantage over just about every other team in the NBA is with their embarrassment of riches when it comes to firepower.

The Magic often overwhelm teams with their ability to get points, rebounds and defense from so many different positions. GM Otis Smith has stockpiled a Noah’s Arc type of roster in that the Magic have two of everything.

The starting five is loaded with Jameer Nelson playing like an all-star again, Vince Carter slashing, Howard smashing and Rashard Lewis hitting 3-pointers. Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus give the Magic two ace defenders to throw at Joe Johnson. And J.J. Redick, Marcin Gortat, Jason Williams, Ryan Anderson and Brandon Bass give the Magic the NBA’s deepest bench.

That bevy of weapons helps the Magic to hurt teams in a variety of ways and their diversity keeps coming at teams in waves. It’s the reason the Magic have routed so many teams this season, leading the NBA in point-differential and 15-point blowouts this season.