So much for the Orlando Magic not having much of a perimeter game.
Dwight Howard has seven and Joe Johnson netted nine as the Atlanta Hawks finished the first quarter locked in a 25-25 tie against the Magic on Friday night at Philips Arena.
Al Horford has seven points for Atlanta, which shot 55-percent (11-for-20) from the field.
As far as Orlando goes, the Hawks have been a little bit shaky with their perimeter defense in this one. As a result, Orlando has connected on 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Sometimes, it's been because Atlanta has a second defender momentarily doubling Howard. Other times it's simply because an Atlanta defender loses track of their man. In either case, it's something the Hawks need to make an adjustment on.
Unlike in the first couple of games, where Howard had an inordinate percentage of the Magic's offense, the rest of the supporting cast seems to be connecting in this one. Orlando is hitting at a 60-percent (9-for-15) clip from the field and guys not named Howard had combined for 18 points.
J.J. Redick and Jason Richardson have five points each.
Atlanta opened the game with a 9-2 run as Al Horford abused Brandon Bass on the inside and posted six quick points inside. But Orlando made the adjustment and fronted Ryan Anderson on Horford. That's helped narrowed the gap at a raucous Philips Arena.
This one also turned a bit physical. Howard ran into Jason Collins, who landed hard on his back. Collins temporarily went to the locker room to get a heat pack. Josh Smith got smacked in the face and Horford was fouled hard and took exception to it and briefly jawed with a couple of Magic players.
Horford finished the quarter with seven points for Atlanta, which was outrebounded 9-7 in the first 12 minutes.