2011 NBA Playoffs Picks – Hawks at Magic Game 1 Odds and Predictions – Free NBA Picks 4-16-11

Free NBA Playoffs Picks and Odds: Game 1 Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 4/16/11: The tale of the series between Atlanta and Orlando will be which team can stay more consistent. The Atlanta Hawks have all the talent in the world on their bench but they have been extremely irritating in their inconsistent patters and stubborn play. The Hawks have the ability to match up with any team in the league and they have shown that they can on many occasions this season, but there are other games where it seems that they belong in the lottery draft for the first overall selection. They capped the season on a six game losing streak and a 44-38 record. They could easily be in the upper echelon of the 50’s in wins if they were more consistent and cut down on their weak performances against sub-par competition. Joe Johnson and Al Horford will lead this club against the Magic, but they will need to also rely on their supporting cast because these two simply do not have the ability to lead this club over Orlando. One thing that is working in the favor of the Hawks is the fact that they have a legitimate size advantage over the club from east Florida. Watch for Atlanta to use this edge to their advantage and test the interior defense of the Magic. Kirk Hinrich is the x-factor for the Hawks, he came over in a late season trade and has performed quite admirably. If Hinrich can capture his touch from beyond the ark and find his excellent passing touch then I believe the Hawks can make a run at the finals this year. It will be imperative that the Hawks come away with a victory in Orlando in the first two, the stealing of home court advantage will be essential for an Atlanta club that is abysmal in road play.

The Magic have proved that they are a sub-par basketball club without Dwight Howard in the line up. They were outworked, out-rebonded, and out skilled in their match against the Chicago Bulls last weekend when Howard sat a 1 game suspension. The big man gives the Magic an uncontested presence around the net and he makes the players around him perform at a much higher level. The Magic enter the postseason in the midst of a two game winning streak and they now have the entire starting rotation back and ready to go. The question mark for the Magic entering the playoffs will be their defense. The defense this year lacked tenacity and effort, on many occasions teams were quite capable free-throwing their way to victory against a defense that commits fouls without thinking. Stan Van Gundy has publicly ridiculed his clubs approach to defense, but little has been shown and I expect it to be the demise of this club in this years playoff run. The Magic’s answer for their ineptness on the defensive front has been there offense. Orlando is 4th in the eastern conference in scoring and could arguably be first if they had Dwight Howard in the line up for all 82 games they suited up for. The Magic are hinging on Gilbert Arenas finding his swagger and game in this postseason. The scandalous veteran has been inconsistent since his trade from the Wizards, but if he finds his touch he could send this Magic club deep into this years postseason.

We will recommend a play on the Hawks against the spread(check latest NBA Odds at SBG Global Sportsbook) tonight in the opening game of their eastern conference battle against the Magic. The Hawks have proven all year that they get up for games of meaning and significance. What is more significant then a first round match up with the heavy-weight Magic? Orlando has defensive issues and I expect the Hawks to attack the interior and exterior of this defense. The Magic are notorious slow starters in the playoffs and the Hawks are notorious fast starters in postseason competition. The Hawks have been waiting for the playoffs to start for a long time and I expect this club to become an entirely different power, they have the skill and mindset to get it done. We will consider the Hawks keeping this one close tonight in a tightly contested affair. Cheers!

Free Pick: Atlanta Hawks +8.5
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