Hoopinion: SI.com: Robson: Hawks/Magic Preview

[Hawksquawk]

Britt Robson:

The Magic, NBA finalists last season, are hungry and dedicated to taking the final step and earning a ring. The Hawks have to hope that Orlando's competitive edge has been dulled by its first-round sweep, Atlanta's lackluster showing against Milwaukee and the Magic's looking ahead to a titanic series with Cleveland. They also need monster games, if not entire series, from Smith and Johnson, and more frustration between Howard and the refs over borderline calls that put him on the sidelines. The Hawks should snatch at least one game where they convert Orlando turnovers into transition points and get balanced scoring from the perimeter and the paint. Maybe even two.

Magic in five

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