Peachtree Hoops: Preview and Game Thread #22: Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic

[Hawksquawk]

 

Atlanta Hawks 10-11 Season Game  #22
	@
13-8		15-5
Amway Arena
December 6, 2010, 7:00 PM
SportSouth, 99X FM, Pre and Post Game Show 680 The Fan, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mike Bibby	PG	Jameer Nelson
Maurice Evans	SG	Vince Carter
Marvin Williams	SF	Quentin Richardson
Josh Smith	PF	Rashard Lewis
Al Horford	C	Dwight Howard

 

Hawks Injury Report: Joe Johnson (elbow) is out

Magic Injury Report: Jameer Nelson (flu), J.J. Redick (flu), Mikael Pietrus (flu), and Dwight Howard (flu) are day to day. Ryan Anderson (foot) is questionable

SB Nation Magic Blog: Orlando Pinstriped Post

Game Preview:

The Magic come into the game with the best record in the southeast division. They are coming off of a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks but were without five key players due to either sickness or injury. Guards Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick, Forward Mikael Pietrus, and center Dwight Howard were all sent home during the Magic's road trip with a stomach flu bug. The Magic are hopeful to have everyone back from sickness for tonight's game against the Hawks.  

Keys to the Game:

It is imperative that this Hawks team not play scared and by that I mean taking the ball to the basket. Recently they have shown a tendency to settle for the first available jump shot. Al Horford struggled in the first meeting with Orlando but has since picked his game up. Dwight Howard poses a huge challenge for Horford on the defensive end but Horford should be able to give Howard problems as well in the pick and pop game. As I said before the Miami game, the Hawks really shouldn't be feeling any pressure as no one is giving them a chance to win especially without Joe Johnson. Trust the offense, play sound defense, and play loose with lots of energy and lets see what happens. 

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