Back to get some "Get Back" ?

The Orlando Magic went 8-0 through the first two rounds of the playoffs last season. The Charlotte Bobcats & the Atlanta Hawks were dismantled by them. But this is a new season. The Hawks are out to a great start , leading the Southeast division at 6-1. The Magic , since their beatdown at the hands of the Heat, have been playing great as well. So who wins tonight when these two meet up at the new Amway Arena?

Atlanta Hawks (6-1) @ Orlando Magic (4-1)

Atlanta Hawks (6-1)

106.1 ppg (5th in the NBA)

42.0 rpg (15th in the NBA)

24.3 apg (3rd in the NBA)

99.1 Points Allowed Per Game (11th in the NBA)

Team Leaders

Points: Joe Johnson 20.4 ppg

Rebounds: Al Horford 10.4 rpg

Assists: Joe Johnson 5.7 apg

Steals: Josh Smith 1.4 spg

Blocks: Josh Smith 3.7 bpg

Key Bench Player

Jamal Crawford 16.0 ppg 2.8 apg 1.8 rpg

Orlando Magic (4-1)

101.2 ppg (14th in the NBA)

47.2 rpg (2nd in the NBA)

18.0 apg (26th in the NBA)

88.6 Points Allowed Per Game (2nd in the NBA)

Team Leaders

Points: Dwight Howard 22.4 ppg

Rebounds: Dwight Howard 11.4 rpg

Assists: Jameer Nelson 5.5 apg

Steals: Dwight Howard 1.2 spg

Blocks: Dwight Howard 3.0 bpg

Key Bench Player

Ryan Anderson 9.3 ppg 4.3 rpg 1.0 bpg

Prediction

Last season in the four regular season games between these two teams Dwight Howard averaged 21 points 17 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal & 4 blocks. Absolute dominance. Another thing that bodes well for the Magic is Ryan Anderson. Last season he played , arguably , his best basketball against Atlanta. In their four meetings last year he averaged 12 points & 4 rebounds off the bench. The Hawks are a much different team this year though. With Marvin Williams out they will start Josh Smith at the small forward spot. This is a big mismatch verses the traditional Magic line up. I wouldnt be Surprised if Stan Van Gundy opted for going with his Big rotation. That would drop Lewis to SF and insert Bass at PF. Joe Johnson has been playing great and , as always, Jamal Crawford is been a big spark off the bench. With the absense of Williams they both will have to step it up. Jason Collins will have the responsibility of guarding Dwight tonight. Horford & Smith will obviously have to help him. If Dwight can begin the game by attacking the paint , the rest of the team will catch fire. The Hawks depth will be tested again tonight.The Hawks suffered their first loss of the season to Phoenix on Sunday. I expect them to get their second tonight in Orlando. 

Atlanta 93

Orlando 109

Here are my picks for the rest of the night:

Golden State(4-2) 122

Toronto (1-5) 102

At times Golden State's defense is suspect but their offense is one of the NBA's best. Add some lack luster defense from the Raptors and you can go ahead & pencil in a win for the Warriors. 

San Antonio (4-1) 95

Charlotte (1-5) 98

Dont ask me why i think the Bobcats can pull the early season upset off. They have the ability & i like the way Steven Jackson & Gerald Wallace matchup with the Spurs. It will be close but im taking the home team.

Denver (4-2) 98

Chicago (2-3) 103

With Carmelo on your team you always have a chance in a game. However the Nugget frontline is banged up & the Bulls front line is playing with alot of energy & intensity. Look for Noah & Gibson to assert themselves on the inside early to get Nene into foul trouble. In the end i think The bigs of Chicago will decide this game.

  -Fraz