Reports of the Orlando Magic's demise are exaggerated. The Atlanta Hawks look just plain terrible tonight.
Jason Richardson has 12 points and J.J. Redick added 11 to post the Magic to a commanding 58-35 lead at halftime at the Amway Center on Tuesday night.
Jameer Nelson posted seven points and Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson have six each for Orlando, which finally found its perimeter game. The Magic have converted on 6-of-13 from beyond the 3-point line.
The Hawks on the other hand look like that 2010 team that was swept out of the playoffs by the Magic. They look lost on defense and have Josh Smith taking too many shots away from where Josh Smith should be taking shots.
Smith leads the team with 11 points, but is just 4-for-12 from the field.
Joe Johnson has struggled as well. He has five points, but has connected on just 2-of-8. Al Horford has four points on 2-for-6 shooting.
I think you're beginning to get the theme here.
The Hawks are simply being outplayed by the Magic and look like the team that is down in the series. For the first time in the series, they are the team on their toes. They are the team that isn't attacking. They are the team that doesn't have any momentum. And they are missing their shots.
Orlando on the other hand finally found their lost shot and look like that dangerous Magic team that most expected would win the series in a rout.
Atlanta is going to have to get back to basics if they want to climb back in this game. Covering their man. Not letting Orlando get easy looks and they need to attack the basket. Otherwise, this one is coming back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday.