Magic Route Hawks by 43 points in game 1

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard stayed out of foul trouble and delivered in an immense way throughout game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Howard contributed his first double-double of the postseason, scoring 21-points on eight of ten shooting and adding twelve assists during the Orlando Magic’s 114-71 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Vince Carter played his most complete game of the playoffs for the Magic chipped in 20-points and Jameer Nelson continued his stellar play scoring 19-points on eight of twelve shooting, including three of five shooting from behind the 3-point line.

The Hawks came out strong in the first quarter only trailing Orlando 25-23 before the Magic began hitting their stride from 3-point land. They stroked 39.1% of their 3-point shots where as Atlanta shot a dreadful 15.4%. The Hawks starting five collectively shot 17 of 47 from the field and early foul trouble from swingman Josh Smith led to the Hawks second most lopsided playoff loss in franchise history.

Atlanta will have to regroup and forget about this game if they have any chance at winning game two this Thursday in Orlando. "It was an ugly game for us," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said.

Atlanta needs Al Horford to control rebounds and contain second chance opportunities created by the Magic’s ability to get points in the paint.

If this game is any indication of how the series will be played out, look for Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season.