NBA Playoffs 2011: Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks Game 4 Live Blog
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Welcome to the live blog for Game 4 of the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks' first round playoff series.
Atlanta leads the series two games to one and has a chance to push the Magic, who were once considered favorites to win the Eastern Conference this season, to the brink of elimination.
The Hawks won Game 3 88-84 thanks to a huge three-pointer from Jamal Crawford with six second remaining. Crawford had 23 for the game.
Emotions ran high in the second half as Jason Richardson and Zaza Pachulia got into a scuffle that earned each a suspension for tonight's game.
Richardson was Orlando's second-leading scorer this season, averaging 14 points per game, while Pachulia averages four points and four rebounds in a reserve role for Atlanta. Clearly, this is a trade off that favors the Hawks.
The Magic will start Quentin Richardson, and it will be interesting to see if Stan Van Gundy turns to Gilbert Arenas to fill the void. Interestingly, Arenas seems to have fallen out of favor after not logging a single minute in Game 3, but he may get another opportunity tonight with J-Rich out.
I like Atlanta to win tonight. It has serious momentum after holding on late to take a 2-1 series edge and there seems to be a real disconnect in Orlando. Something hasn't been right all year long. If the Magic lose tonight, they are dead and buried.
Call it Hawks 94, Magic 89. Get out your shovels.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Top Performers:
Orlando:
Dwight Howard: 29 points, 17 rebounds, but eight turnovers.
Gilbert Arenas: 20 points, five rebounds, two assists.
Atlanta:
Jamal Crawford: 25 points, six assists, three rebounds.
Joe Johnson: 20 points, nine assists.
Al Horford: 14 points, 12 rebounds.
Turkoglu stripped by Horford, regains possession, three launch is long at the buzzer.
Hawks win 88-85.
Atlanta leads 3-1 an can wrap up the series on Tuesday night when the series resumes in Orlando.
Wow.
No timeouts left for Van Gundy, Magic must shoot a three here, like it or not.
If they were hitting I'd suggest Hawks foul, but not tonight. Make them hit.
Both freebies are good. Timeout Magic, 88-85 Hawks.
Johnson headed to the line again. 10.5 ticks left.
Howard lays in Arenas miss. Atlanta by one with 12.4 to play.
Both teams with one timeout left.
Nets the second as well. Johnson has scored eight straight for Atlanta, backing up my prediction following third quarter.
86-83, Hawks. Twenty seconds to play.
Hits the first.
Joe Johnson fouled by Richardson, heading to the stripe, where he is 3-for-4 tonight.
Arenas drives and scores with 22 seconds to play. 84-83, Hawks.
Orlando needs a three, but is shooting just 2-for-22 from beyond the arc. That's bad news.
Crawford airballs three, Horford airballs jumper, Hawks get 24-second violation.
Magic timeout, have possession with 29 seconds left.
Crawford first bench player to score 20+ points in first four games of playoff series since Celtic-great Kevin McHale.
Nelson strips Johnson, hits Richardson down the floor for transition layup.
Timeout Hawks, who lead 84-81 with 1:04 to play.
Johnson another floater, making me look even better tonight.
Nelson lays it in, just 3-for-12.
84-79 Hawks, 1:10 left.
Howard only Magic player to score in last seven minutes. Hits one of two from line, 82-77 Hawks.
Jason Collins misses point-blank tip shot on Horford miss, could have put Hawks up eight, instead Howard heads to line.
Arenas back at point for Magic, who have not scored in over three minutes.
Timeout Magic, 82-76 Hawks with 2:49 left.
Howard misses both, Johnson hits a floater. Finally.
Hawks lead up to four, 80-76.
Make that five on Smith, Howard headed to the line where he is 10-for-12.
Smith tries to flop to get fifth foul on Howard, instead nailed with his fourth.
All jumpers for Atlanta, and nothing from Johnson.
That's your $134M man Atlanta. Congrats.
Howard cleans up Turkoglu miss, ties game at 76.
Hawks offense very stagnant, Drew wants timeout.
5:45 left.
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