Hedo Turkoglu and the Magic Fight Back

By Parvez Fatteh, TMO, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu (R) pressures Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson (L) during second half of Game 5 of their NBA Eastern Conference first round playoff basket ball game in Orlando, Florida April 26, 2011. Magic beat the Hawk 101 to 76.         REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski

Things were looking dismal for Hidayat “Hedo” Turkoglu and his Orlando Magic team after they lost 88-85 to the Atlanta Hawks in game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference first round series, giving Atlanta a 3-1 series lead. Shooting guard Jason Richardson of Orlando and center Zaza Pachulia of Atlanta were suspended for game 4 due to their semi-brawl in game 3. So, leading up to Sunday’s game, Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy wanted small forward Hedo Turkoglu to take more open shots. However, Turkoglo was only able to muster six points, six rebounds, and two assists on an abysmal two for twelve shooting.

But things turned around in game five in Orlando, Florida. The Magic throttled the Hawks 101-76. Turkoglu contributed with nine points, two rebounds, and three assists. And that was even more points than their best player, as center Dwight Howard only had eight points and eight rebounds. But it was a collective team effort that now takes the series to Atlanta for game six. The Chicago Bulls await the winner of this series after finishing off the Indiana Pacers in five games.

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