2011 NBA Playoffs – Hawks vs Magic Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview

2011 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs – Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview: It is fitting that the Magic and Hawks are facing off in the No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup in the 2011 playoffs. Both teams have been good but not great all season, winning a lot of games but never appearing to be one of the elite squads in the NBA. One of these two clubs will get a chance to move on and attempt to knock off one of the top teams, but first, Orlando and Atlanta must settle things amongst themselves. The Magic have been installed as a -550 favorite(odds at SBG Global Sportsbook) to win the series.

The best player on the court during the series will be Orlando center Dwight Howard. He has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers in the second half of the year and has been next to unstoppable in the post. The only thing that has derailed Howard is himself. He has been forced to miss two games because of an excessive amount of technical fouls. His total will get reset for the playoffs, but the Hawks will definitely try to exploit’s Howard’s temper during the series.

The Magic have surrounded Howard with a group of 3-point gunners, and when Jason Richardson, J.J. Redick, Gilbert Arenas and Ryan Anderson are knocking down their shots, Orlando can compete with just about anyone. The downside is that nobody on the team outside of Howard can create their own shot when the 3-pointers aren’t falling. On the defensive end, the Magic grind it out. With Howard single-handedly protecting the middle, the rest of team can afford to get in the face of the opponent’s shooters.

The Hawks are essentially the same team they have been for the last several seasons. Josh Smith is a highlight reel waiting to happen, but he isn’t a superstar. Joe Johnson can drop 30-point on any given night, but at the end of the day, he runs hot and cold. Al Horford is one of the best young big men in the NBA, but he has to play out of position at center. Atlanta always seems to be a point guard short of being a real threat, and that is the case once again in 2011.

That being said, the Hawks actually took three out of four games from the Magic during the regular season. Atlanta has taken advantage of Horford having to play out of position, using his mid-range jumper to pull Howard away from the paint. All four games have been defensive battles, and neither the Magic nor the Hawks have topped 100 points in any of their four contests.

The good news for Orlando fans is that the playoffs aren’t the regular season. Howard and company have to the NBA Finals while Atlanta has been bounced in the first round on a routine basis. The Hawks will be confident, but Howard and the Magic should be able to win thanks to home court advantage and their stifling defense. Expect some low-scoring games, but expect Orlando to ride Howard to the series win. Check the opening NBA betting odds for Hawks-Magic Game 1 below.

Prediction: Orlando Magic Win in 6 Games

NBA Playoffs Series Odds
Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks
Orlando Magic -550
Atlanta Hawks +425