Johnson begins second round

FAYETTEVILLE – Former Razorback men’s basketball star Joe Johnson continues his quest for a National Basketball Association (NBA) title on Tuesday night when his Atlanta Hawks take on the Orlando Magic in the second round of the league playoffs at 7 p.m. central.

Johnson’s Hawks are the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and knocked off a tough Milwaukee Bucks team in the first round, going seven games. Johnson averaged 20.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game in the first-round series, numbers that compared to his 21.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists during the regular season. In the series clincher against the Bucks, Johnson played 43 minutes and scored 22 points with five rebounds and a team high six assists in an 83-69 victory.

The Hawks now prepare for the No. 2 seed Orlando Magic who are led by perennial all-star Dwight Howard. The two squads face off in a best of seven series which begins on Tuesday and continues on Thursday, May 6. The rest of the series schedule is set for Saturday, May 8; Monday, May 10; Wednesday, May 12 (if necessary); Friday, May 14 (if necessary) and Sunday, May 16 (if necessary).

Former Razorback Janerro Pargo played with the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the No. 1 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, losing in five games. Pargo saw action in two contests and averaged 4.0 minutes and 1.5 points in the series.