(4) Orlando vs (5) Atlanta

Can Superman save Orlando's crazy season?

Season series: Atlanta 3-1

Ed: I’m kind of scared about how ugly this series could get. Not only are both of these teams in the top-10 in terms of defense (Atlanta 9^th, Orlando 5^th), but the Hawks are also the 26^th lowest scoring team in the NBA at 95.1 points per game. Ultimately, despite the fact that Hawks have some nice young talent, I can’t see them keeping up with Orlando’s depth, especially in the backcourt. Dwight Howard will give the Magic his usual 25 & 15 and hold down the paint, while Jameer Nelson should have his way with Kirk Hinrich, meaning Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick, and Gilbert Arenas (if healthy) should get plenty of open looks. Jamal Crawford will score 40 points on 30 shots and probably steal one away from the Magic, but in the end Orlando takes the series in 5.

Chris: Ah, two of my least favorite teams in the entire league. This will be a joy to watch! Too bad both teams can’t lose… Okay, back on topic. My colleague Ed is correct, this will not be a good-looking series.   We are looking at two top 10 defensive teams that love to shoot jump shots (for both teams jump shots represent over 70% of their total shots taken) without a great deal of success, Atlanta and Orlando are ranked 12^th and 16^th, ,respectively,  in field goal percentage league-wide.  I have to go with Orlando though.  Dwight, as much as I dislike his game (this is another article) will have his way with Atlanta’s frontline. Zaza Pachulia is the only Hawk with the size and strength to slow down Dwight but alas he does not possess the quickness.  Jamal Crawford will go off for tons of points at least once in the series but the overarching lack of playoff success on the Hawks will bring them down once again.  Magic in 6.

Sam: Surprisingly, the lower seeded Atlanta enjoyed good success against the Magic this year. Both teams are hard to predict since they can come out on fire or lay an egg. This series is going to revolve around who is hitting their shots and the ability of the Hawks to guard the pick and roll. Both teams love to shoot jump shots and have players who can put up points in bunches with Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford on the Hawks and Dwight Howard, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu on the Magic. The real matchup is going to be when Orlando is on offense and the Hawks have to defend the pick and roll with Jameer Nelson and Howard or Turkoglu. Jason Collins will likely defend Howard down low but cannot stay with him outside the post and the Magic would love to have Turkoglu matched up against Collins, Zaza Pachulia or Josh Smith. Magic in 6.