Somehow, some way the Hawks planned to do a better job defending Dwight Howard in Game 3 on Friday night.
It’s not an easy task because of Howard’s size, strength, athleticism and skills. Plus the Hawks’ Jason Collins has proved to be the only defender capable of throwing Howard off balance.
The Hawks slowed the Magic’s offense in the first two games by focusing on limiting 3-pointers rather than double-teaming Howard. But that doesn’t mean Coach Larry Drew is content with Howard overpowering the Hawks.
“We have to do a better job,” Drew said before Game 3. “We have to defend him before the catch and basically not allow him to get as deep on the block with the catch. These first couple games we have not done a good job with it. The first game we did an adequate job.”
In Games 1 and 2 Howard totaled 79 points while making 25 of 35 shots and 29 of 41 free-throw attempts. The Hawks opened Game 3 with their guards providing help against Howard by swiping at the ball when he started his move to the basket.
Best option
Howard was on the bench for three minutes at the start of the second quarter Friday. He played all 48 minutes in Game 2 and 46 in Game 1.
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said it’s not ideal to have Howard playing so many minutes. But Orlando lacks a true backup center, and Howard is the focal point of the team’s offense and defense.
“We are going to go all the time with that. I think it is our best option is at this time,” Van Gundy said. “A lot of times a tired Dwight may still be our best option. But, yeah, I worry about it.”
Etc.
Hawks center Etan Thomas was not at the game Friday because he did not return in time from attending funeral services for his grandfather. Thomas played seven minutes in Game 1 and was inactive for Game 2. “We are just giving him time to deal with it,” Drew said. ... Van Gundy said he doesn’t believe Magic reserve guard J.J. Redick is fully healthy after missing the final 17 games of the regular season with an abdominal injury. “He’s competing hard,” Van Gundy said. “You hope the more time he’s back that he will get it going.” ... The Magic did not hold a shootaround before Game 3. “We’ve been doing that on the road for a long time,” Van Gundy said. All we are doing this point of the year is walking through stuff anyway, so we can do that in the hotel.” ... Hawks guard Pape Sy’s cousin, Almamy Soumah, is in town from their native France. He’s a journalist for the French website basketsession.com. Soumah, a son of Sy’s mother’s sister, stands 6-foot-6.
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