Backs Against the Wall

Tonight, the Orlando Magic face elimination as they go into Atlanta for Game 6, down 3-2. In Game 5, Orlando completely destroyed Atlanta 101-76 with Dwight Howard only going for 8 and 8...not a good sign. I do expect the Hawks to completely change their game-plan and return to Game 1's strategy by letting Dwight go crazy while guarding everyone else. With that being a strong possibility, I still do not believe the Magic will lose tonight, or Game 7. Dwight will most certainly have more than 8 points and 8 rebounds tonight and I expect big games from J-Rich and J.J Redick. Atlanta is a wildly inconsistent team and I think that will show for the remainder of this series. The acquisition of Jamal Crawford last season seems to be both a gift and a curse. This is because the Hawks star, Joe Johnson, tends to allow Crawford to take over games instead of him seizing the moment and putting Atlanta on his back. I expect Joe to come up small and to struggle from the field in both Games 6 & 7, propelling Orlando to a berth into the 2nd round of the playoffs.