<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Steve Francis Returns to Orlando After paying visits to Atlanta and Charlotte in the last three days, the Orlando Magic return home to the TD Waterhouse Centre where they will take on the New York Knicks. Former Magic guard Steve Francis will make his first appearance back in Orlando since he was traded to the Knicks on Feb. 22. Francis has averaged 12.6 point per game since joining the Knicks, who are 4-9 since picking up Francis in exchange for Trevor Ariza and the expiring contract of Penny Hardaway. The Magic are 5-9 in that same stretch. Orlando is 2-1 against New York this year, including a win at home against the Knicks on Dec. 28. The Magic have won five of their last six home games and are 18-14 overall this season at the TD Waterhouse Centre. GAME NOTES Orlando is 32-34 all-time vs. New York (18-15 at home, 14-19 on the road) during the regular season, including 2-1 this season (see recaps below)...Orlando has lost seven of the last 12 meetings, but won 12 of the last 20 overall in the series...The Magic have won six of the last 11 outings at home and six of the last nine at MSG. INJURY REPORT MAGIC - Grant Hill, out (lower abdominal strain/rehab, sports hernia surgury), Mario Kasun, doubtful (hyperextended right knee), Pat Garrity, out (Grade 2 AC sprain, left shoulder). KNICKS - Quentin Richardson, questionable (strained left thumb), Malik Rose, questionable (sprained right ankle). </div> http://www.nba.com/magic/news/preview_032206_nykorl.html Francis is back in Orlando and I'm curious to see how the fans will react. I don't think he deserves to be booed because he didn't leave on bad terms. Another thing many people are forgetting is that Darko will get a chance to square off against his old coach, Larry Brown, tonight. There are many interesting subplots in this game and even though both of the team's suck, it should be fun to watch. I'm predicting a Magic win in this one. We will play hard against the woeful Knicks and something tells me Darko is going to have a really good game. My predicted score is 97-94, Magic win.
Ariza is really pumped about this game and hopes to get some revenge on his former team. I'd really like to see Brian Hill start Howard & Darko at the same time, and the Knicks are the perfect team to do it against. I just want to see how Darko plays with the starting unit and how he can do with 35 minutes a night.
Dwight won't be starting tonight. He was 15 minutes late to the shootaround, so he will be benched tonight. He was 10 games away from breaking the consecutive games started streak for the magic.. I like the approach Hill is taking.
This is going to be an entertaining game. I hope Francis doesn't get booed, I remember in Swish's article that he seemed like a nice guy.. he doesn't deserve it. It's going to be awesome seeing Darko and Ariza against their old Coach who limited their playing time, hopefully they'll have big games. I'd also like to see a Dwight & Darko starting lineup. Darko had 3 blocks in 12 minutes yesterday, just imagine what he would do with 30+ minutes. I think the Magic will take the win tonight, we're back at home and hungry for a win. Go Magic!!!
Does this mean a Darko start?!!!? Sucks 'cause I can't watch tonights game =/. That would be cool if the Magic can scrap up another win! Predicting a good game from Steve-O. I don't think should be booed, IMO. Ne'ways, lets go MAGIC!!!!
you guys have a great future. Dwight Howard is an amazing player. Darko is playing reallly well defensively, if he just improves his offense--he'll be dangerous. As for the francis trade--you guys won that trade. Capspace, a young talent in Ariza, and Francis IMO is one of the worst guard in the game.
24 point blowout! What a good game. Steve Francis played a career low 11 minutes. Darko started for Dwight Howard and had 13p/7r/2a with a steal and 4 blocks against his old coach. While Trevor Ariza had a decent line off the bench with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Dwight Howard came off the bench for the first time in his career and responded with 23 points and 7 rebounds, despite only getting 11 shots, he was 9-11 and he made all 5 of his free throws. Knicks had 21 turnovers while the Magic only had 8. Edit: Nate Robinson was acting like a little biotch there at the end, anyone see that?
So much for Larry Brown being a good coach. He has great talent on the knicks ala Marbury Francis Curry Lee Frye Rose and can't do crap with it. So much for him saying Darko can't play D and has no offence. Look at him NOW he is one of the big reasons you lost today's game ever so embarassingly.
