Why the Hawks Have Lost So Badly Every Time They've Played the Magic This Season

With all due respect, it has less to do with defensive game plans* than Atlanta's complete and utter inability to score against the Magic.*Though, as Milwaukee showed in the fourth quarter Monday night, playing four-out/one-in seriously limits Josh Smith's effectiveness as help defender while also exposing his limitations as an on-the-ball defender and his disinclination to close out on shooters.Atlanta's offense vs. Orlando and the rest of the league...Opp Poss Off Eff eFG% FT Rate OR% TO% ORL 88.1 0.92 43 13.5 18.4 14.5 Rest of League 89.2 1.145 50.9 22.2 28.6 13.2Despite there being fewer offensive rebounds and fewer turnovers in the games against the Magic than those against the rest of the league there's also one fewer possession per game. Combine that fact with both observation and Atlanta's eFG% against Orlando* and it's clear that the Hawks get neither quick nor easy shots against the Magic.*it breaks down to 41.7 2PTFG% and 31.6 3PTFG%As I wrote...