Dwight Howard not enough for Magic

ORLANDO — Joe Johnson scored 25 and Jamal Crawford 23, and the Hawks overcame a huge game by Dwight Howard to steal homecourt advantage with a 103-93 victory over the Magic in Game 1 of their East quarterfinal series Saturday.

Dwight Howard tied a career high with 46 points (31 in the first half) and added 19 rebounds. Jameer Nelson scored 27, but no other Orlando player reached double figures.

Atlanta was eliminated by Orlando last season in the most lopsided four-game sweep in NBA history. But Saturday, it led by as many as 18 while running multiple bodies at Howard.

The Hawks, who lost their final six during the regular season, led 85-71 entering the fourth. And Howard was whistled for his fifth foul 1:02 in. But even with Howard playing less aggressively underneath on defense, Orlando put together a 10-1 run that cut it to 92-83 with 4:40 left.

Dwight Howard banked in a hook shot with less than two minutes left to make it 98-90. But a steal by Josh Smith and ensuing 3-pointer by Crawford essentially sealed it.

Hawks 103, Magic 93

ATLANTA (103): Smith 6-12 2-7 15, Horford 7-14 2-2 16, Collins 0-1 1-2 1, Hinrich 6-10 0-0 13, Johnson 9-16 7-8 25, Pachulia 0-1 2-2 2, Crawford 7-14 5-6 23, Thomas 0-2 0-0 0, Williams 2-3 2-2 6, Powell 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 38-74 21-29 103.

ORLANDO (93): Turkoglu 2-9 1-2 6, Bass 0-4 0-0 0, Dwight Howard 16-23 14-22 46, Nelson 10-18 3-4 27, J.Richardson 2-8 0-0 4, Anderson 0-2 0-0 0, Arenas 2-5 1-2 6, Redick 2-6 0-0 4, Q.Richardson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-75 19-30 93.

Atlanta 17 38 30 18— 103

Orlando 19 29 23 22— 93

3-Point Goals—Atlanta 6-14 (Crawford 4-7, Smith 1-2, Hinrich 1-3, Johnson 0-1, Horford 0-1), Orlando 6-22 (Nelson 4-7, Arenas 1-2, Turkoglu 1-4, Howard 0-1, Anderson 0-2, Redick 0-2, J.Richardson 0-4). Fouled Out—Collins. Rebounds—Atlanta 42 (Smith 8), Orlando 54 (Dwight Howard 19). Assists—Atlanta 19 (Crawford, Johnson 5), Orlando 15 (Turkoglu 5). Total Fouls—Atlanta 28, Orlando 24. Technicals—Howard. A—19,108 (18,500). (Source)