Dwight Howard scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Vince Carter had 20 points for the Magic, who benefited from an extended break while the Hawks had barely had two days' rest since eliminating Milwaukee in round one.
A 17-0 Orlando run powered by Magic reserves gave the hosts a 44-27 lead with 4:40 remaining in the second quarter on the way to a 53-33 Magic lead at half-time. Howard scored a game-best 14 points in the first half.
"We're trying to accomplish something," Carter said. "We wanted to come out sharp. We wanted to deliver the first blow at home. It was important for our intensity to be at a high level."
The lopsided showing continued in the second half, the Hawks unable to stop Orlando from pulling away to an easy victory.
Josh Smith scored 14 points and Zaza Pachulia had 12 to pace Atlanta.
The Magic will try to seize a 2-0 edge over the Hawks at home on Thursday.
"We're hungry," Carter said. "Every game is important to us. This is great but we have to get ready for their adjustments and get ready for game two."
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 10:39:00 05/05/2010
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