GT: Milwaukee @ Orlando

CelticBalla32 · Oct 31, 2007

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October 31, 2007 @ 7:00pm ET
Amway Arena (Orlando, FL)
Local TV: FSFL

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Milwaukee Bucks
 (0-0)


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Orlando Magic
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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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PG Williams SG Redd

SF Mason PF Yi C Bogut


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PG Nelson SG Bogans

SF Turkoglu PF Lewis C Howard


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<h4>2006-2007 Team Stats</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>99.7 PPG (10th)
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>46.5% (8th)
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>35.6% (14th)
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>39.2 RPG (29th)
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>21.6 APG (12th)
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>94.8 PPG (27th)
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>47.2% (4th)
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>35.6% (15th)
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>40.7 RPG (16th)
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>18.6 APG (29th)
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<h4>Preseason Team Leaders</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Michael Redd (14.0 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Charlie Villanueva (6.9 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Mo Williams (5.3 APG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Dwight Howard (17.7 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Dwight Howard (9.0 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Jameer Nelson (5.0 APG)</td>
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<h4>Key Matchup
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Michael Redd vs. Keith Bogans
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Michael Redd is respectively known as one of the most lethal perimeter scorers in the entire league. Keith Bogans, however, gets the job done on the defensive end, where he gained much praise from new head coach Stan Van Gundy in training camp/preseason. Stopping Redd isn't something you can count on, but if Bogans' toughness and tenacious defense can help slow him down, Orlando will be in pretty good shape.

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<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
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<ul>[*]Pound the Glass: Dwight Howard may very well lead the league in rebounding this season, but that doesn't mean that the Orlando Magic are a good rebounding team. With Tony Battie out of the lineup, they are forced to go small, and only have one legitimate backup big man in Adonal Foyle. Winning the rebounding battle is huge.

[*]Make Crisp Defensive Rotations: As mentioned above, Orlando is forced to go small, and they have a few guys that can knock down open jumpers (Lewis, Turkoglu, Nelson, Redick, Bogans). If you leave those guys open, especially Lewis, then you're in for a long night. Make those guys work for their opportunities offensively.

[*]Shot Selection: Often times last season, you'd see Milwaukee unnecessarily milk the clock and throw up a wild jumper from the top of the key (I don't want to say any names: Mo Williams). The Bucks need to move the ball well tonight and make sure they take smart shots. It'll also be interesting to see if Yi can play within the flow of the offense this early in his career.
[*]Double Dwight: If you let Dwight Howard operate all by his lonesome against the soft front line of the Milwaukee Bucks, he's going to make them look like sixth grade school girls. Keep Dwight's dunk count to a minimum.
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<ul>[*]Run, Run, Run: In the past few years, the Orlando Magic haven't been a team you'd look for to get out in the open court and take advantage of the running game. This year, things are different, as Stan Van Gundy is looking to implement a faster paced game that takes advantage of the athletes they have. Milwaukee isn't necessarily the quickest team in the league, so if Orlando can make sure they outrun them, they should see positive results.

[*]Help the Big Fella Out: As mentioned before, outside of Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic are an average rebounding team at best. With them going smaller this year, Dwight will need even more help on the glass than he has in the past. Perimeter guys like Lewis, Turkoglu, Ariza, and Bogans are going to have to chip in on the defensive glass. Howard will pull down his double-double and Foyle will bang his body around, but that's not enough.

[*]Bench Must Step Up: When healthy, Milwaukee has one of the best benches in the league. Orlando's is solid as well, but they'll need some extra contribution from the second unit tonight as long as Charlie Villanueva, Charlie Bell, and Bobby Simmons are spelling Milwaukee's starting group. Whether it be Ariza, Arroyo, Redick, Dooling... whoever. One or two guys need to bring their "A Game" tonight and make sure the Magic don't blow potential leads when the first unit guys need a breather.
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<h4 align="center">X-Factors</h4>
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 Charlie Villanueva

With Yi winning the starting PF job, Villanueva needs to be the catalyst of the second unit. Can he step up and be "the man" off the bench? Can he accept the lesser role? It's all mental, but if he can deal with it mentally, he'll be huge for them.

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 Keith Bogans

Head coach Stan Van Gundy labeled Bogans Orlando's best perimeter defender. Bogans needs to make sure he lives up to that title tonight, because with Michael Redd being his first defensive assignment of the year, he's going to have his hands full.

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<h4 align="center">Injury Report
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Andrew Bogut: Sprained left wrist (will play).
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Tony Battie: Torn left rotator cuff.
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<h4>Prediction</h4>
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<td colspan="2">I have a feeling that Milwaukee will steal this game on the road, and spoil the debut's of Stan Van Gundy and Rashard Lewis. I think this team has a chip on their shoulder and are on a mission this season, and I believe that they will be too much for Orlando to handle offensively tonight, as I'm predicting Milwaukee to rain jumpers left and right.</td>
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Shapecity · Oct 31, 2007

The Orlando Magic come into this season with heavy expectations and a heavy payroll. I'm curious to see how they handle this new pressure since they are expected to improve on last season and not limp into the playoffs.

The Bucks are a dangerous team and will be right there until the end. They have taken on the gritty personality of their head coach and Milwaukee has a good balance with inside-out scoring. I think the Bucks could come away with an opening night victory if Redd gets that hot hand going.

I'm interested to see if Bobby Simmons can give Milwaukee anything this year and I'm also looking forward to Yi's debut.

lane2912 · Oct 31, 2007

WoOt wOoT, can't wait for the game tonight!!!! FINALLY THE BUCKS ARE BACK!!!

cpawfan · Oct 31, 2007

I don't believe Orlando has anybody that can matchup with Villanueva if he is on his game. Also, this is the perfect team for Charlie Bell to audition against because the Magic need someone like him.

CelticBalla32 · Oct 31, 2007

Alright so my prediction was absolutely way off, heh. Oh well, can't get em all.

pegs · Oct 31, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lane2912)</div><div class='quotemain'>

WoOt wOoT, can't wait for the game tonight!!!! FINALLY THE BUCKS ARE BACK!!!

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Welcome, lane. Nice to see a Bucks fan on the board, we don't get enough of those.

Wow...what a great game by the Magic. I'm a little surprised that Dwight only shot 9 field goals, tho, and 5 trips to the line (I assume).

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GT: Milwaukee @ Orlando

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

lane2912 Member

cpawfan Monsters do exist

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

pegs My future wife.

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GT: Milwaukee @ Orlando

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

lane2912 Member

cpawfan Monsters do exist

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

pegs My future wife.

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