3 posts tagged “orlando magic”
Orlando vs. Chicago
After finally breaking free from the win one, lose one mold, the Magic will set their sights once again on regaining the Eastern Conference's best record. They will have their work cut out for them in catching Boston, who they trail by three games in the loss column (and have played three less games then the Celtics) and Cleveland, who they trail by three games in the loss column. Still they will have to accomplish this feat without Jameer Nelson and will head to Chicago to take on the Bulls Tuesday night.
Nelson was one of the reasons that Orlando (41-14) alternated wins and losses. They went 3-3 through the first six games without him, but were able to finally win two straight for the first time since late January and early February when they defeated Charlotte and, most recently, Miami.
To counter that loss, the Magic picked up Rafer Alston, leading up to the trading deadline. He got off to a sluggish start in his first game against the Bobcats, going 1-of-9 with eight assists and three steals in the 92-80 victory. Sunday he seemed to find his way, scoring 12 points and nine assists in the rout of the Heat 122-99. Three of those assists went to Dwight Howard's stellar 32 points and 17 rebounds.
The Bulls (25-31) have also had an inconsistent stretch, but unlike the Magic, the Bulls did not get off to a tremendous start to have the ability to ride it out. Chicago followed up a two-game winning streak with a 98-91loss to Indiana. In that game, Brad Miller, John Salmons and Tim Thomas made their Chicago debut after being picked up in a trading deadline acquisition. The trio combined for 23 points off the bench in the losing effort.
Ben Gordon scored 28 and has averaged that same amount over his last six games. Although Gordon, like his teammates, have struggled against Orlando. Gordon has averaged only 11.4 points in his last five games against the Magic and the Bulls have dropped six straight to Orlando.
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Orlando -2 1/2 vs. San Antonio
With or without Dwight Howard, the Magic continue to win. Orlando has not started a season this hot since 1994-95, when they started 22-5 and made it all the way to the NBA Finals, the only appearance for the nearly 20-year old team. Nonetheless, they will be very happy to have their All-Pro forward back for tonight's home game with San Antonio.
The game with the Spurs opens a four-game home stand for the Southeast Division attic dweller Magic (19-6). Howard has missed the last two games for Orlando with a knee injury, but the Magic won both, including their last game, 109-98 at Golden State Monday night. Rashard Lewis picked up the pace without Howard by scoring 21 points, five assists and eight rebounds while Jameer Nelson ruled the court with 32 points in the win over the Warriors.
The NBA's renaissance story this season has been the San Antonio Spurs (15-9). Hampered by injuries and bad play, the perennial power sputtered out of the gate at 0-3 and lost five of its first seven. As players have come back from injuries and slowly regained form, the Spurs have regained theirs, winning 10 of their last 14. They lost their last time out to New Orleans largely because of they misfired on 17 of their final 21 shots and only hit at a 38.3 percent clip from the field.
The loss to the Hornets halted the Spurs six-game winning streak, but they look to get on track against the Magic, a team they have had a lot of success against over the years. San Antonio has beaten Orlando in 10 of the last 13 games and have won the last three straight, including both games last season. The Magic have not beaten the Spurs in Orlando since April 2006.
Orlando Magic -5 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Two teams with bigger expectations than what their records show prepare for a Thursday night battle in Orlando as the 76ers travel north in Florida to take on the Magic at Amway Arena.
Orlando (2-2) may have righted their ship recently as they look for their third straight win following their two game losing streak as they stumbled out of the blocks to start the season. The Magic probably count themselves lucky to beat the Chicago Bulls this past Monday. While they won 96-93, the Bulls stormed back from a 17 point third quarter deficit to get back into the contest. The Magic weathered the storm of 19 turnovers to squeak by.
The bright spot in the Magic's slow start has been Dwight Howard. The All-Star posted his fourth straight double-double against the Bulls. Rashard Lewis was solid in Monday's game as well, finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He also played well under pressure, hitting on three of three free throws to secure victory with 23 seconds on the clock.
Philadelphia (2-3) can relate to Orlando's troubles with the ball. Their turnovers have resulted in many of their losses so far in this young season, including Wednesday night's loss in Miami, 106-83. The Sixers turned the ball over 26 times, including 17 in the first 24 minutes of the game, which dug Philadelphia into a huge hole early. In their five games this season, the Sixers have committed 19.2 turnovers per game.
The leading Sixer scorer was Thaddeus Young. He netted 19 points, but turned the ball over five times. Elton Brand secured his fourth double-double of the year with 12 points and 12 boards, but he too turned the ball over way too much at four times.
The Magic took the series last year 3-1 and were perfect at home against the 76ers. Philadelphia last won in Orlando in 2006.
