Nov

27

Magic Turn Hawks Into Turkeys With 93-76 Victory!

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

The Atlanta Hawks had a lesson in humility taught to them on this night of Thanksgiving here in the USA. Atlanta has opened up quite a few eyes with their tremendous start to the campaign. However they learned Thursday night they have not hit the top of the food chain in the Association. The Hawks lost their third game of the season the last time they played Saturday against the New Orleans Hornets by a final score of 96-88. They had a long time to dwell on the loss and then Thursday they had to face “Superman” in his daily identity of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

Atlanta has now lost their second straight game as Howard had a double-double putting 22 points on the scoreboard and grabbing 17 rebounds off the backboard along with 21 more points from veteran Vince Carter and winning 93-76. The loss was the first of the season at Phillips Arena for Atlanta and the first time the club has lost consecutive games this season as well. The victory gives Orlando the best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference with one more victory than the Hawks, the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Joe Johnson would also score 22 points in the loss for Atlanta however Josh Smith and Mike Bibby were the only two teammates he had that stepped it up. Orlando also had a huge night off the bench from veteran guard Anthony Johnson did come up big with 17 points.

Both teams fought hard in the first with Atlanta having the advantage at the end of the period by a slim 25-23 margin. It looked like the Hawks were about to get themselves a blowout win at the half as they wound enter the locker room on top 51-39.

Momentum changed in the third as the Magic slowly but surely worked their way back into the contest. With 2:09 left in the period Vince Carter drove the lane putting the rock up and in; was fouled by Maurice Evans and hit his shot at the line giving Orlando a 64-63 lead. They would double their lead by the end of the quarter ahead 67-65.

The Magic made it a rout in the final period grabbing a double digit lead with 5:58 left as Anthony Johnson laid the ball into the cylinder and giving his team an 82-71 advantage that would never be threatened for the rest of the night.

Dwight Howard recorded  a double-double with 22 points, 17 boards, 4 blocks, 3 assists and 1 steal while Vince carter would 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Anthony Johnson scored 17 points coming in off  the bench, 3 assists and 2 rebounds while Rashard Lewis had 14 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist.

Joe Johnson could not have given any more as the Hawks star scored 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, while Josh Smith had a double-double as he had 13 points, 13 boards, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal. Mike Bibby added 10 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal while Jamal Crawford came off of the bench also with 10 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound. Orlando with the victory is now 12-4 and will play in Milwaukee Saturday as they face the Bucks while Atlanta now has an 11-4 mark and will be in Philadelphia Friday as the play the Sixers.

© Copyright 2009 thesackattack


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