Game 4 ECSF: Magic 98, Hawks 84... Magic win series 4-0
The Orlando Magic completed a historic four game sweep against Atlanta, as their margin of victory in the four games was 101 points, which is the most in a 4 game sweep in NBA history. Five Magic players scored in double figures, led by Vince Carter's 22 points, as the Magic connected on 16 three pointers. The Magic led by 21 points late before the Hawks scored the game's final 7 points.
The Magic led from start to finish, as they jumped out quickly on the Hawks to lead by as many as 13 points in the first quarter and led 34-23 after one. The Hawks attempted to make a game of it in the second quarter after falling behind 44-30, coming as close as 46-40 as the Magic led 53-45 at the half. The Magic quickly went ahead 64-47 in the third quarter, but the Hawks gradually cut into the lead, cutting their deficit to 75-66 after three. The Magic scored the first 9 points of the fourth quarter to lead 84-66, and that was the game for all intents and purposes, as the Magic led by as much as 93-71 with 4:34 remaining as the Magic cruised to one of the most dominant series sweeps in NBA history.
Magic leading scorers
Vince Carter: 22 points (7 of 12 FGs, 4 of 7 3 PT FGs), 4 rebounds
Rashard Lewis: 17 points (6 of 10 FGs, 4 of 7 3 PT FGs), 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Jameer Nelson: 16 points (7 of 11 FGs), 9 assists, 2 steals
Dwight Howard: 13 points (5 of 5 FGs), 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 7 turnovers
Mickael Pietrus (bench): 12 points (4 of 8 3 PT FGs)
Overall Game Statistics
FG%: ORL 55.4% (36 of 65) ATL 40.5% (30 of 74)
3 PT FG%: ORL 43.2% (16 of 37) ATL 25% (3 of 12)
FT%: ATL 72.4% (21 of 29) ORL 52.6% (10 of 19)
REB: ORL 37 (3 offensive) ATL 30 (8 offensive)
AST/TO: ORL 27/16 ATL 17/8
BENCH: ATL 35 ORL 24
Other game stats and notes
-Four Hawks scored in double figures, led by reserve Jamal Crawford with 18 points, but shot just 5 of 15; Josh Smith added 16 points, 8 rebounds and Joe Johnson scored 14 points with 5 assists, but shot just 5 of 15
-The Magic starters combined to score 74 points on 28 of 45 FGs (62.2%), including 9 of 21 3 PT FGs; the Hawks' starters combined to score 49 points on 19 of 47 FGs (40.4%), including 1 of 7 3 PT FGs
-The Magic outscored the Hawks 88-63 from the field, including 48-9 on three pointers
-The Magic shot 20 of 28 on two pointers (71.4%)
-Johnson and Crawford combined to shoot just 10 of 30 for the Hawks
-Magic reserve Jason Williams scored 6 points on 2 three point FGs, and added 4 assists; Ryan Anderson grabbed 8 rebounds in 14:24 off the bench
-All of Pietrus's 8 FG attempts were 3 point attempts
Here is the complete recap and box score from nba.com.
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 12:23 AM
4 Comments:
At 12:37 AM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Here are some post-game quotes from the game recap of Yahoo! Sports:
“Guys are just focused. It’s unbelievable to see,” (Vince) Carter said. “This is my opportunity for a championship.”
“We would have to be playing at our absolute, absolute best — like, mistake free — to beat that team,” said Jamal Crawford. “That team is a great team. They have as good a chance as any to win a championship.”
“We’re playing for something bigger than ourselves, and we’ve got to do it together,” (Dwight) Howard said.
At 5:01 AM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Very impressive that the Magic showed no letup at all in the series against the Hawks. That shows how focused and well-coached the players are.
I'm really impressed with Vince Carter's play; he seems to know when to defer to other players, like in Game 3 when he took only 5 shots and scored 7 points, and he knows when to be aggressive, like he was in Game 4 when he led the team in scoring. Since February, the team chemistry has really improved with VC.
On to the ECF... either Boston or Cleveland!
At 8:07 AM,
Kyle Mountain said…
I can't believe how much this team is rolling. Most teams would tend to kind of "cruise" when they have a 3-0 lead, but the Magic are keeping their feet on the gas. Based on those quotes you've put up it seems like this team is hungry for a championship, and they'll do anything necessary to get it - a dangerous aspect in playoff basketball!
At 9:31 AM,
Matt said…
There are two elements which would work for the Magic in the series ahead:
1 - They are focused and yet humble. There are under no illusion about the opposition getting tougher.
2 - Their impressive record of last 30 games accomplishment will strike fear in opponents, something they were not enjoying last year.
I personally think that the series with CLE (I cannot see BOS making it through) would be tough, but then I will give the edge easily to Magic over LAL considering the home court advantage.
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