Second-Round NBA Playoff Series - Los Angeles Times
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Second-Round NBA Playoff Series

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ATLANTA HAWKS vs. ORLANDO MAGIC

* Season series: Tied, 2-2.

* Analysis: You’ve got to hand it to Atlanta Coach Lenny Wilkens. In the five years before he arrived, the Hawks had not gotten past the first round of the playoffs and were breaking up their ‘80s nucleus--Dominique Wilkins, Doc Rivers, Kevin Willis et al. In three seasons, Wilkens has been to the second round twice but is again overmatched at this level. Willowy Christian Laettner did well against the Indiana Pacers’ Rik Smits, but 320-pound Shaquille O’Neal is another matter. The Hawks survived a grinding five-game series that ended Sunday. The Magic has been off since April 30.

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UTAH JAZZ vs. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

* Season series: Spurs, 3-1.

* Analysis: This is a rematch of their ’94 first-round series, in which Dennis Rodman hip-checked John Stockton in Game 1, was suspended for Game 2 and the Spurs lost in four. The Jazz isn’t easy to defeat but, despite averaging 55 victories the last six seasons, has been past the second round only twice. Utah went five games against Portland; the Spurs went an easy four with the Phoenix Suns. San Antonio has been on the rise since the All-Star break, finishing 28-9. David Robinson, labeled soft since Hakeem Olajuwon walked on him last spring, averaged 30 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and 2.5 blocks against Phoenix.

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