After a huge home win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday, the Magic struggled in the first and third quarters on offense and eventually lost in overtime 89-87 to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
It was a relatively slow-paced and ugly game on the offensive end but all five Magic starters were in double figures. As usual, Dwight Howard led Orlando with 18 points and 17 rebounds, staying out of foul trouble against Atlanta's athletic front line in a full forty minutes of action. Ryan Anderson was hitting his shots as well, and led Orlando with 21 points.
But the Hawks shot 44 percent from the floor to escape with the two-point overtime win. Josh Smith had a monster game on the inside, leading all scorers with 23 points but also grabbing 19 rebounds. The power forward certainly came out with something to prove just one day after being one of the bigger snubs for the All-Star game in Orlando.
Orlando immediately turns around and now heads north for a game in Milwaukee against the Bucks on Saturday night.
For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Magic, visit Orlando Pinstriped Post, SB Nation's Magic blog. For the perspective from the other side, visit SB Nation Atlanta and SB Nation's Hawks blog, Peachtree Hoops. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.