<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">New year, new (old) ball and hopefully the start of another new winning streak for the Orlando Magic. Tonight's game not only marks the first Magic contest of 2007, but it also marks the return of the old leather ball to the NBA. The new composite ball lived a short life and it will be real interesting to see how players adapt to bringing the leather back to the hardwoods. The Magic will also be looking for the start of a new winning streak following Saturday's 29-point home victory against the Miami Heat. But they'll have to get that streak going against the Los Angeles Clippers - a team that the Magic have struggled against in recent meetings. The two squads last played on Dec. 3 when the Clippers ended Orlando's six-game winning streak with a 116-91 victory at the STAPLES Center - handing the Magic their worst loss of the season.</div> Source Sorry the preview isn't very in depth. We're coming off of a big win against the Heat and hopefully we can build off of it and start another winning streak. The Elton Brand vs. Dwight Howard match up should be interesting and I think this will be a close game. I see Trevor Ariza having a big game and I think the Magic will pull this one out, 97-95.
From what I've read, both Grant Hill and Keyon Dooling will be sitting out for tonight's game. Let's hope that the trainers are just playing it safe with Hill and this isn't serious. The last thing we need right now is a big injury to one of our star players because we are inconsistent enough as is. Assuming both Dooling and Hill won't be playing, we will probably see some more of the Diener-Redick back court that got some playing time when Hedo went down. Redick is coming off a career game () after scoring 9 points against the Heat so hopefully he can build off of that and continue to produce when he's given a chance to play.
I will be attending this game tonight and hopefully it will be a good one. Magic need to win this game for some much needed momentum and start off the new year like they were in november. This is funny... I saw Grant Hill 2 days ago at millenia mall and he looked fine to me(walking without a limp).
<div class="quote_poster">MainMan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I saw Grant Hill 2 days ago at millenia mall and he looked fine to me(walking without a limp).</div> That doesn't mean anything. He could've been on medication, could've recently had a lidocaine or cortisone injection, or his level of pain may just be too low for it to affect his walking. It doesn't mean we should push him.
The play of Chris Kaman has been the barometer for the Clippers this season. When Kaman is allowed to be physical on defense, the Clippers are tough to beat. Blocking shots gets Kaman going on both ends of the floor, and when both he and Brand are scoring in the paint, it opens up everything from the perimeter. The Magic have to get him in foul trouble early and rattle his confidence. The Clippers aren't nearly as effective when Kaman is on the bench. The other player who's been hot is Shaun Livingston. He's a more talented version of Smush Parker, who scored the 18 points in 1 quarter on you guys. Shaun is an oversized PG, with one-on-one playmaking ability. It's going to be tough for any of the Orlando guards to stop him. The Magic might have to throw some different looks at him with Ariza, Bogans, or Hill (if healthy). The one factor against the Clippers has been their lack of success on the road. They only have two road wins in 12 tries.
Seriously, can anyone guard anyone on LA? Seriously can anyone give Dwight the ball? 5 shots is pathetic and at least 2 of them were off of offensive boards. He has 3 assists 3 turnovers so far and 2 of the turnovers weren't his fault. You have to keep him active on offense if you want him to be effective on the boards. JJ got big time minutes early and likely will get more as Bogans is hobbling. A Jameer jumper at the buzzer gets us within 7 48-41.
Magic win, but we were pretty pathetic down the stretch AGAIN. Turkoglu hits 3 shots in a row and we don't give him another touch for at least a couple of minutes. Dwight didn't get enough touches. Jameer was brilliant. JJ tried to blow the game for us by fouling Maggette to stop the clock, then missing a FT and then throwing the ball away(although it was BS that there was no foul called). Again, shaky substitutions and play calls kept the Clippers in it in a game which we should have dominated if you look at the stats.
I was flipping out when the refs let Livingston hold Turkoglu on that inbound pass. Luckily Tim Thomas sucks so it didn't cost us the game. Big game for Jameer tonight, hopefully he can continue this good play and break out of his slump. Dwight with a double double and Ariza with another impressive game (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals). Good game all around and I'm just glad we didn't blow it.
good game by the good guys...good to see JJ crack the rotation...another good game by trevor...dwight played some of the best ball he has played recently...jameer needs to keep this up and hedo needs to shoot like he did in the 4th...good to see the start of a win streak, lets keep it up against charlotte and go to 20 and 14
<div class="quote_poster">d-money12 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">good to see the start of a win streak, lets keep it up against charlotte and go to 20 and 14</div> Exactly, we really need to feed off of these last two wins and start playing consistent basketball like we were to start the season. Our record is still better than I thought it would be at this point in the season and the East is still wide open. Another good stretch and we're leading our conference again.
