<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Behind Howard, Magic Stay AliveORLANDO, Fla., April 15 -- Dwight Howard authored a gigantic performance in the biggest game of his young career.Howard had 28 points and career-high 26 rebounds as the Orlando Magic kept alive their slim playoff hopes with a 102-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, whose postseason aspirations took another hit.Hedo Turkoglu added 23 points and Jameer Nelson 21 for Orlando (36-44), which extended its winning streak to a season-high eight games while pulling within 2 1/2 games of idle Chicago for the Eastern Conference's final playoff berth.Orlando has two games left, but would win a tiebreaker if its finishes tied with Chicago."What would have been huge tonight is if I'd have hit more of my free throws," said Howard, who went just 10-of-19 at the free-throw line. "I would have kept some distance between us and them.""Dwight was sensational," said Magic coach Brian Hill, whose team has won 12 straight at home. "As I've said all year, he's continued to grow and grow and grow and has gotten better in every phase of the game. But to get 26 rebounds. That's a monster effort for anybody and you don't see that too often in today's game."Howard's follow shot off his own missed free throw with 2:59 remaining gave the Magic the lead for good at 96-95. Nelson added a jumper 36 seconds later for a three-point advantage."He (Howard) is great, young and energetic and always fighting," Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks said. "On that last play where a lot of players just stay put after a shot, he continued to play and ended up getting the big play."After Allen Iverson converted a tough driving layup, Nelson hit an open jumper with 1:47 left to make it 100-97."Dwight's game was unbelievable," Nelson said. "I've never seen anything like it. Especially since he's so young. It's scary because he's only going to get better."Iverson scored 36 points - two in the fourth quarter - for Philadelphia (37-43), which fell 1 1/2 games behind Chicago with two to play."Yes, Dwight and Jameer were fantastic," Hill said. "But I have to give just as much credit to DeShawn (Stevenson), who was on Allen in the fourth period. Allen really couldn't even get a shot for the last nine minutes of the fourth quarter. He tried to penetrate and couldn't go anywhere. Every shot was highly contested."But it's a shame that I had to coach this game. I would have liked to be sitting in the stands watching it." Source=www.nba.com</div>Magic are still in the race,I thought Philly was going to take the 8th spot but it doesn't seem like it anymore,and wow 26 rebounds that is totally ridiculous,do you think the Magic have a chance?
The Magic are playing very well, and this will be a dangerous team next year. I expect them to make the playoffs next year, but probably the 7th or 8th seed.As for this year, they are still alive, but they need a lot of help. They will have to win the rest of their games, and Chicago will have to lose two of their final three games.
Yeah, they play @ Miami, and then the big game for Orlando is when they host Chicago... if Miami beats Chicago, and Orlando can beat Chicago... it will come down to the final game of the season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Apr 16 2006, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>hey clutch melo.. NOW will you admit that Dwight Howard is a beast?</div>Ok i admit it.28-26 :no1:That is down right nasty.
howard is a damn beast, they need to keep this team together in the offseason, that chemistry is really building, they'll be in the playoffs next year for sure
28 and 26?Howard is a monster!The thing that impresses me most is his maturity. This guy is putting up monster numbers out of HIGH SCHOOL.
you also know the kid is gonna be something special when sean elliot (spurs anaylst) is slobbing on his nuts all night.....usually sean is the most bias commentator but he loves howard saying he's the future of the nba and stuff like that
Him and Jameer Nelson have a great on court chemistry. I see them as a 7 or 8 seed next year and right now I am rooting for them down the stretch.
Maybe if Grant Hill wasn't injured. But I still see them on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Philly gets seed 8 still. Next year when Jameer and Dwight are a year older. I think there going for a big name in the off season.
You know, I was thinking of something interesting on Friday night when I was watching the Wiz-Bulls game on ESPN. Walton and Musberger (whatever) were discussing the fact whether this a fluke like the Warriors had last season. Do you think this is for real and Orlando can really make the postseason next year?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HeatBasketball @ Apr 16 2006, 01:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Chicago plays the Heat next,thats already 1 loss.</div>I wouldnt count on that so fast man. The heat locked up the 2nd seed and really have nothing to play for anymore. They cant catch Detriot and the Nets cant catch him. Shaq has had his problems with injuries so he will probley just sit out the last couple games, maybe not sit out but have very limited mintues. Wade has been through injuries this year too and will probley have limited mintues. Williams is out til the playoffs, so is Zo. Posey just got back from injury so im sure he wont be playing alot. Payton probley dosnt want to play so many mintues when the games mean nothing. I wouldnt count as a automatic win yet.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>You know, I was thinking of something interesting on Friday night when I was watching the Wiz-Bulls game on ESPN. Walton and Musberger (whatever) were discussing the fact whether this a fluke like the Warriors had last season. Do you think this is for real and Orlando can really make the postseason next year?</div>There last 10 games they beat Detroit, San Antonio, Dallas, Miami, the Bucks and Bulls who are both playing there best to stay in playoff contention.I think they will be in the playoffs next season.There potential is unlimited. Coach Brian Hill is an awesome coach that will flourish with another year under his belt. People forget he took the Magic team to the NBA finals a decade or so back.They have so many young studs Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, DeShawn Stevenson, Trevor Ariza,Dwight Howard, Darko Milicic.Thats amazing young talent to build with.
Dwight and Magic are all beastly....If magic dont make playoffs this year they will win 45+ games next year!.
I want Orlando to win becuase those other teams have been struggling as of late and I dont really think they deserve to make it, Orlando on the other hand has been surging, I believe they won 8 in a row? They beat San Antonio and Miami in this stretch, they deserve to be in the playoffs and I hope they make it. Ive said it before and Ill say it again, Howard is a monster and he and Bosh are the KG/Duncan of the future in this league..He has a very bright career ahead of him..
