Official Game Thread: Magic at Hawks

[lethalweapon3]

“See? I tried to tell ya... Should’ve jumped over the Sears Tower!”

 

It’s Wednesday night, and two underwhelming NBA teams with losing records and no championship probabilities on the horizon face off in downtown Atlanta. The hosts, our Hawks, return to State Farm Arena after stumbling in Philadelphia a couple days ago. The visitors, the Orlando Magic, have no Shaq, no Penny, no Dwight, no dunk contest champs (gulp), no adversarial superstars that furrow the eyebrows of the random local sports fan.

Will the house be packed anyway?

The above factors were enough, over the prior quarter century or so, to produce the chirping sounds of crickets in Atlanta’s home nest. That we may see upwards of 15,000 in attendance for an unremarkable mid-week game like this (7:30 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, Fox Sports Florida in MCO) speaks to the compelling power of The Trae Young Experience.

You can’t spell PARTY without T.Y., and Young (at home: 31.9 PPG, 39.1 3FG%, 9.5 APG) has brought that kind of atmosphere to a factory that could use his highlight offensive plays. Atlanta needs Trae producing (37.0 PPG, 47.3 3FG%, 10.6 APG in Hawks wins), early and often, to have a chance to win games, and he brings that when egged on with the encouragement of Ryan Cameron and fans screeching in support from every tier of these comfier confines.

But coach Lloyd Pierce’s small-y young club can struggle mightily to find the proper chemistry, with or without Trae on the floor, at home or away, to string together consistent runs of competitive play. The Hawks will remain underdogs when stacked against most of the NBA, even at home (6-1 in their last 7 home games), and even against mediocre squads like Orlando, until Pierce and the coaching staff sort the ideal rotations out.

Monday’s half-baked effort against the 76ers dropped Atlanta to 6-25 versus teams with a .500 or better record. Among the few teams doing worse in that department is the Magic (25-32), whose spiffy 21-7 mark against sub-.500 teams like the Hawks belies their 4-25 record against the cream of the NBA crop.

That includes Cream City, and while it may not matter much come April, the Magic likely wishes to dodge the top-seeded Bucks, who swept all four regular-season contests by an average of 16.5 points, as an opening-round foe. They’re 0-9 versus Milwaukee, Toronto and Boston, but they won’t play the latter teams until April.

Despite two losses already this season to the Hawks, Orlando relies on teams as poor as Atlanta (17-42) for subsistence. They’ve won three games out of their past four, beginning with the 135-126 victory in Orlando on February 10. They followed up by squeaking past whatever’s left of Detroit, at home before the All-Star Break. Bouncing back from last Friday’s home loss to Dallas, the Magic prevailed in the Somebody’s Gotta Make the Playoffs Bowl, coming back from 19 down midway through the third period to cut down the Nets, 115-113 in Brooklyn, on Monday night.

While the 7-seed Nets may have trouble in the coming months, the schedule ahead for coach Steve Clifford’s 8-seeded crew (4.5 games ahead of Chicago) may allow them to stiff-arm the lottery competition and lock down a playoff spot sooner, rather than much later. Remaining teams have a 45.8 percent winning record, the 4^th-easiest schedule in the league and just a few shavings tougher than Atlanta’s “easiest” 44.2 percent.

All the Magic need to do is defeat the bad teams on the docket, as they’ve done for most of this season. Minnesota comes to O-Town, and then the Magic visits the Rodeo-weary Spurs to close out this month. The games at Amway Center to follow include the Lillard-less Blazers, Bulls, Hornets, Cavs and Kings, before a return to Brooklyn in mid-March.

Bad-loss slip-ups, like the 101-93 home loss to the Hawks back in December, could leave the Magic susceptible to a needless scramble for the final postseason spots. Taking care of business early, alternatively, will allow Clifford to load-manage his key veterans during the final weeks.

Clifford’s gameplan for Young is to allow the Hawks’ point god room to roam on the inside of the Magic defense, disallowing all but the most miraculous, contested three-point shots. On his young career, Trae’s 50.5 FG% versus Orlando is his best against any Eastern Conference club, 2^nd-best against any NBA opponent. But within that is a subpar 29.7 3FG%, 3^rd-lowest among NBA East foes.

Young (47.2 3FG% in wins, 32.0% in losses) lofted 11 three-point attempts in Orlando on February 6 and sunk just a trio of them (1-for-7 through the first three quarters). He was 4-for-8 inside the arcs, also swishing 12 of 13 free throws while dishing nine assists. But his hero-distance shots were insufficient during a familiar fourth-quarter defensive collapse, the Magic’s 42-30 advantage in that frame wiping out a 96-93 Hawks lead.

It was a similar scene Monday, after Trae’s last-second splash closed the third quarter in Philly with a 92-91 lead, his Hawks crawling out of a 20-point first-half hole. Young was just 1-for-11 on his other 3-point shots, and Atlanta found it was too easy to get pushed back in the hole (38-20 Sixer edge in the 4^th).

Against Orlando, neutralized teammates like John Collins (22 points and 8 rebounds, but minus-32 for the game) were unable to earn trips to the free throw line (1 fourth-quarter FTA for the whole team; 4 non-Trae FTAs the whole game), a hallmark of Cliffordian defense. Cam Reddish’s pair of shots in the final quarter of Monday’s game doubled that paltry total, and his entire team’s inability to hit from outside (0-for-11 4^th-quarter 3FGs) made Collins and company easy pickings for Joel Embiid (22-and-8 in the closing quarter alone).

Teams hitting jumpshots with unconventional proficiency is nothing new for opponents of the Hawks, and Orlando (47.4 3FG% on Feb. 6; 33.5 3FG% on the season, 28^th in NBA, through yesterday) was no exception when they last faced Atlanta. Again overwhelming a Hawks’ frontline, one that included the recently re-arriving Dewayne Dedmon (14-and-9 plus 2 blocks off the bench @ ORL; probable, elbow pain), the Magic were aided further by a 14-4 edge on offensive rebounds (45-31 overall), second chances created by Aaron Gordon (season-high 6 O-Rebs), Nikola Vucevic and newcomer James Ennis, the latter of whom now starts in place of Wes Iwundu.

The Magic thrived for many seasons behind Dwight, but is it possible that it’s Atlanta’s turn to benefit from a D12 of its own? De’Andre Hunter’s activity in his hometown debut (4-for-5 FGs, 7-for-7 FTs in the third quarter @ PHI) sparked Monday’s third-quarter turnaround. Hitting 15 of 33 threes for the month, his well-panned offensive efficiency is coming around, and his 6.1 RPG and NBA rookie-high 1.6 SPG averages through seven games puts him squarely in also-ran status for Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month with two February home games remaining.

Going forward, better interior scoring and passing from De’Andre (upgraded to available, ankle sprain) could have him among the first drafted players to nab the Eastern Rookie of the Month hardware, a development few could have seen coming given his season-opening struggles (Chicago’s Coby White is the clubhouse leader for February, although his Bulls are just 1-7 when he has played). For Hunter and Reddish, if they also continue making strides with perimeter defense and help rebounding, the next two months could feature a productive potato-sack race for the final ROM trophies.

As for Orlando and PBO Jeff Weltman, there’s no need to hope for (more) lottery luck, as future growth needs to come from within. Aside from the need to deflect the occasional shot in the lane, Mo Bamba (1.5 BPG) has yet to truly get off the ground. Jonathan Isaac returns from season-ending injury next year, as will 2019 first-round selection Chuma Okeke. And clearly, the best is yet to come for Markelle Fultz (career-high 50.9 2FG% and 74.6 FT%; 12.0 PPG and 5.2 APG as a starter), who will revel in fostering a fierce intra-division rivalry with Young.

A rebuild that more sincerely features those young Magicians will commence next season. In the interim, Weltman has his focus on this offseason, challenged with massaging $96 million in already-guaranteed salaries for a clear non-contender.

Beyond another pair of home playoff dates to appease a once-starved Magic fanbase, Weltman is relying on Clifford to maximize the value of the veterans, particularly the contract-extended Vucevic (24-9-and-9, 4-for-6 3FGs vs. ATL on Feb. 6) and Gordon, Terrence Ross (5-for-10 3FGs vs. ATL), and Evan Fournier if the latter kicks the can down one year by opting in this summer. A strong close for each improves the quality of the trade offers Weltman can create and receive.

To get anything close to the free agency impact that in-state, income-tax-free rival Miami enjoyed in 2018 with Jimmy Butler’s arrival, Orlando will need salary cap space. But they sure could use a captivating draw like Young, for prospective free agents, corporate sponsors and ticket buyers alike.

Competitively, as a growing team taking their lumps, the Hawks are still struggling to find their heart. But Trae has established himself in Atlanta as The Show, and a happy, growing crowd of onlookers at The Farm are making it clear – finding the heart would be great, but for now, home is where The Show is.

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

When it comes to close contests, some Floridians aren't wild about Chad(wick Boseman)s hanging around. Thanks, Flash.

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

5:30 injury report has Dewayne downgraded to Questionable (elbow pain). Bembry (hurt DeA'Bs) remains out.

 

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

26 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

You can’t spell PARTY without T.Y., and Young (at home: 31.9 PPG, 39.1 3FG%, 9.5 APG)

Great as always lw! Let’s keep the show going at home. I had no idea the Magic were that horrible against the cream of the crop but taking care of biz elsewhere. 

27 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

For Hunter and Reddish, if they also continue making strides with perimeter defense and help rebounding, the next two months could feature a productive potato-sack race for the final ROM trophies.

Yes sir!!!!

Go Hawks!!!

[Spud2nique]

Magic -2.5  o/u  228

Ok, I’m sorry we’ve won 2/3 from them and 6/7 in our own building overall. We also had the day off yesterday, so did they but still. Vegas disrespecting a bit  

 

Lets bustem!  I think we look really good tonight and get the W. Let’s make it 7/8 at home  

[Dnice]

We need some healthy centers/bigs... Rowland says DD is out.

[Dnice]

 

[pimp]

44 minutes ago, Dnice said:

We need some healthy centers/bigs... Rowland says DD is out.

guess this game thread is gonna be one big fight.

Bruno playing time vs Small ball 

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

Bruno starts. 

[Lurker]

Gonna see our favorite for stretches! Vince Carter at PF!

Sadly, there's reason to simply because he's a better positional guy.

[Peoriabird]

15 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Bruno starts. 

Pierce might start Vince!

[JayBirdHawk]

6 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

Pierce might start Vince!

He's already said Bruno is starting.

[Spud2nique]

1 minute ago, JayBirdHawk said:

He's already said Bruno is starting.

If Bruno breaks 20 min he’s getting 10+ boards. Book it!

[Peoriabird]

1 minute ago, Spud2nique said:

If Bruno breaks 20 min he’s getting 10+ boards. Book it!

Vince is definitely getting over 20 minutes in this game!

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[Spud2nique]

3 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

Vince is definitely getting over 20 minutes in this game!

why do you hate Lloyd? Give the dude a chance to coach with some matured talent around him. 

[Peoriabird]

2 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

why do you hate Lloyd? Give the dude a chance to coach with some matured talent around him. 

if he does...will you start to question Lloyd?

[Bonkers]

7 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

 

Stay big against the Magic but not against the Sixers

 

Well that is just brilliant 

[Spud2nique]

2 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

if he does...will you start to question Lloyd?

Oh most definitely. He doesn’t get a lifetime contract from me by any means. I think if he doesn’t have us in the playoffs next spring he’s done and rightfully so imo. We are in the playoffs next season I’m hoping.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

28 minutes ago, pimp said:

guess this game thread is gonna be one big fight.

Bruno playing time vs Small ball 

 

 

No fight.  It's what coach is supposed to do.   If Bruno were out, Jones should start at the 5 ( albeit at their own risk )

The last time we played Orlando, Jones started at the 5, Collins at the 4.  The starters were horrible, specifically because .  Dedmon was the 1st big off the bench, and he and the bench played great.  Collins and Dedmon finished out the game.  Orlando and specifically Fournier got hot from 3, and ended a very competitive game.