Sweepless in Atlanta?
Game four of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Semi Final goes off tonight in Atlanta, where the Hawks look to avoid the sweep.
Atlanta has lost each game in this series by an average of 29 points, and were only “in” game two for a half before losing by double digits. They have no answer for Dwight Howard inside, Joe Johnson has gone missing and the only reason they were even in Game 2, was because the Magic’s outside shooting slowed down for a half.
NBA Eastern Conference Semi Finals Game 4 – Tip Off 8:05 pm EST – Monday may 10, 2010
Orlando Magic (-6) @ Atlanta Hawks (+6) Total 191.5
The formula for the Magic is simply more of the same. They’ve now won 13 games in a row, and look to be rested, confident and gelling nicely for their Eastern Conference finals showdown with either the Cavaliers or Celtics.
I suspect that the Magic must be feeling pretty good watching the Celtics and Cavaliers battle it out in their series, but I’m not sure Coach Van Gundy is the type to let this team get complacent. And even if they do take their foot off the gas pedal for a game or two, even a half speed Orlando Magic team would have won all three of this series first games.
Atlanta just looks beat in this series. Their home record in the regular season, and their #3 overall seeding in the East led me to believe that they would take at least one game at home this series, and their swagger would have them showing up and staying competitive.
After the first two games of this series, I don’t think the Hawks could stay competitive against the Harlem Globetrotters.
The NBA Playoff odds have not been in Atlanta favor this entire series, but 6 points at home is still very generous for a team that will likely be golfing before the weekend.
Prediction: Orlando -6.
