The Atlanta Hawks Game Plan Was Worked to Perfection in Game 1: Play Dwight Howard One-On-One And Stop The Rest

In the first half alone, Dwight Howard scored 31 points, which broke the Magic postseason franchise record for most points in a half. Dwight was dominant down in the post. Howard was 11 for 15 from the floor and although he was a 59.8 percent free throw shooter during the regular season, he was 8 for 9 from the strike during the first half. However, the Magic were trailing at half time 55-48 to the Atlanta Hawks. 

Atlanta was constantly changing the defender on Howard. Jason Collins, Josh Powell, Zaza Pachulla, and Etan Thomas all had chances to defend Howard. The Hawks risky game plan of not doubling Howard in the post proved to be very effective. The Magic, who led the league in 3 pointers made during the season, struggled to get anybody going from behind the arc, as they weren't getting any up looks. Hawks coach Larry Drew said, “He [Dwight] was scoring but the other guys weren’t getting as many touches. That was just a decision I made to stay with that particular coverage. I did not want to open up any type of opportunities with their 3-point shooters.” No other Magic beside Dwight Howard scored until there was 1 minute and 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter and they only added 7 points in the whole quarter. The Magic supporting cast only had 1 point in the final 6:54 of the second quarter. In the first half, the rest of the Magic players beside Howard only scored 17 points. No player other than Howard had more than 6 points at half time. Jameer Nelson, who averaged 13 points a game during the season, had 1 point at halftime and Jason Richardson, who averaged 15.6 points a game during the season, had 2 points. Jason Collins said, “We came in at halftime and we knew that one player was not going to beat us. Dwight can go out there and have 60 points. As long as we have 61, we will take that.”

During the second half, Jameer Nelson joined Dwight Howard in scoring but no other Magic players could get themself going. No Magic player other than Howard and Nelson scored in the third quarter and they didn't get on the board until 8:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. These guys had a total of 4 points in the entire second half. No Magic other than Howard and Nelson had more than 6 points in the game. Starting forward Brandon Bass was 0 for 4 from the floor and finished the game with 0 points. Jason Richardson was 2 for 8 and only had 4 points. Hedo Turkoglu was 2 for 9 from the floor and only had 6 points. The Magic players other than Howad and Nelson were 8 of 34 (23.5 percent) from the floor and 2 of 15 (13.3 percent) from three-point land. Jameer Nelson said after the game, “Offensively we have to get better, move the ball, whatever. I don’t know. I really can’t put a finger on it right now.” Howard, finished the game with 46 points, which tied the Magic playoff record for points. Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith said about Jason Collins, “He got in his head a little bit. Even though Dwight had an explosive game I think he did a pretty good job on him, especially in that second half.”

Magic fans have to wonder about their team's game plan. In games where Howard has taken at least 16 shot attempts like yesterday, the Magic are only 10-13. When Howard takes 10 or less shots and the rest of the Magic are getting involved and scoring, the Magic are 17-3. Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said, "I'm not coming in here angry at players who had bad games. My focus right now is on me and my game plan. I've got to do a better job... and we've got to find some answers on the offensive end of the floor to get some of these other guys going, too. I want to get to the film as soon as I can and get back to work."