The Atlanta Hawks are inching closer to that first-round upset.
Joe Johnson had 10 points and Jamal Crawford added nine to post the Hawks to a 42-36 lead over the Orlando Magic at the break.
Josh Smith netted eight and Al Horford has six points and nine boards for the Hawks, who are holding a commanding 26-13 lead on the boards.
Yes. The Hawks are hold the edge on the glass against a Magic team with Dwight Howard in the middle.
The rebound edge has helped the Hawks compensate for a sub-par shooting night for Atlanta. The Hawks top four scorers are a combined 27-percent (12-for-44) from the field. Atlanta is shooting just 35-percent (16-for-46) from the field in the first half.
The Magic on the other hand have reverted to their Game 1 through 4 form. They are not making 3-point shots (2-for-7 from behind the arc) and are relying too much on Howard in the middle.
The Orlando big leads with 11 points for a Magic team that is shooting 44-percent (14-for-32) from the field.
Jason Richardson netted seven points and Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu had five each for Orlando, which will be sent the the off-season abyss with a loss.