ORLANDO---Despite the fact that the Orlando Magic is once again heavily favored to win tonight’s Game Two against the Hawks, the local media down here would have you believe the home team is a decided underdog.
My, how one game can change perception.
Today’s headline: It’s Hard to Believe in the Magic.
What the Hawks did was take a page out of successful teams in the past versus Orlando’s Dwight Howard: guard him with one man, primarily, with little help and cover the three-point shooters.
I guess it is news because of the Hawks refusal to do that in last year’s playoff series.
But give coach Larry Drew credit for sticking by his guns. He demanded that the Hawks re-sign center Jason Collins after last season, with an eye on just these type of playoff matchups.
Collins is a very skilled post defender. His ability to frustrate Howard has been a major key to this series, and the Hawks success against the Magic this season (four wins in five games).
And, if you haven’t noticed, Collins has really gotten under Dwight’s skin.
Funny, how the Orlando big man can dish out the punishment, but has a hard time taking it.
And if you take away the Magic’s ability to shoot uncontested three’s, the results are predictable: Howard will get his and Orlando will end up losing.
Hey, when a man gets 31 points in a half in a playoff game, that can be a crushing blow to the basketball ego.
But Coach Drew refused to change.
He did what you have to do when you believe in your system: look at the scoreboard and not at the stat sheet.
The Hawks will employ the same strategy with a few minor tweaks, for tonight’s game Two.
And after just one game, there a lot of folks now believing in the Hawks.

Don’t forget, tonight’s game is on Fox Sports South. Hawks Live gets our evening underway at 7pm ET.
See you on TV!