Preview: Suns @ Magic VS <font color="DarkOrange">Phoenix Suns </font> @<font color="Blue">Orlando Magic</font> When: December 8, 2003 Where: TD Waterhouse Time: 7:00 ET TV: Local, NBA TV Records: Phoenix 8-10, Sixth in Pacific Orlando 1-19, Seventh in Atlantic Previous Games: Phoenix <ul>December 5th, Won 110-106 vs Boston December 3rd, Loss 92-79 vs Minnesota December 1st, Loss 89-82 vs Indiana[/list] Orlando <ul>December 6th, Loss 97-110 December 5th, Loss 105-94 vs San Antonio December 3rd, Loss 106-91 @ New Orleans [/list] Probable Starters Jake Voskuhl vs Andrew DeClercq Jahidi White vs Juwan Howard Shawn Marion vs Gordan Giricek Joe Johnson vs Tracy McGrady Stephon Marbury vs Tryonn Lue Injury List <u>Phoenix</u> Amare Stoudemire Zarko Cabarkapa Cezary Trybanski <u>Orlando</u> Pat Garrity Reece Gaines Grant Hill Team Updates <u>Phoenix</u> <ul>Amare Stoudermire suffered an ankle injury during the Boston game. The Suns trailed by 29 points and came from behind to come out with the victory. Stephon Marbury scored 21 of his 34 points in the second half to lead the way.[/list] <u>Orlando</u> <ul>The Magic are working on making history. They have lost a franchise record 18 straight and things aren't looking good.[/list] Keys to the Game <u>Phoenix</u> <ul>Attack the basket. The Magic are lacking defense and intensity.[/list] <ul>Rebound[/list] <ul>Start strong. Getting off to a good start could set the tone early. The Magic won't have the confidence to retaliate.[/list] <u>Orlando</u> <ul>Play defense. (Something that probably will not happen)[/list] <ul>Just believe. They Magic are missing the most important thing it takes to win ballgames. They just don't think they can anymore. The entire team is down, and the players are starting to believe their record[/list] Key Bench Players <u>Phoenix</u> Anfernee Hardaway <ul>6.9 Points Per Game, 2.4 Rebounds Per Game, 2.7 Assists Per Game[/list] Casey Jacobsen <ul>5.2 Points Per Game, 1.6 Rebounds Per Game, .9 Assists Per Game[/list] Scott Williams <ul>8.3 Points Per Game, 5 Rebounds Per Game, .3 Assists Per Game[/list] <u>Orlando</u> Drew Gooden <ul>10.8 Points Per Game, 7.6 Rebounds Per Game, 1.2 Assists Per Game[/list] Steven Hunter <ul>4.8 Points Per Game, 3.9 Rebounds Per Game, .2 Assists Per Game[/list] Donnell Harvey <ul>4.6 Points Per Game, 3.4 Rebounds Per Game, .4 Assists Per Game[/list] The 'X' Factor How will the Magic come out? Setting the tone early could determine which team wins. My Prediction Suns by 14
I think that the Magic will come away with this win, since Amare is out. I think we will win by 5. Great preview again, Ice. Keep up the good work.
I dont know if they Magic can take this...i think Stephon will go off and then you still have to worry about Marion. SUns by 6 BTW, nice previewe Ice
Magic will win, the Suns arent a good team, and without Amare they are even worse. So I say Orlando by 10.
The Suns are a good team, whereas we are not, or at least we are not playing like one. Still though, we could pull it off.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drew Gooden:</div><div class="quote_post">the Suns arent a good team, and without Amare they are even worse.</div> I have to disagree with you there. They are a great team. They have Shawn Marion, and Stephon Marbury. Amare won't play, but the others could hold up with him out. The Magic have McGrady, thats it Keep in mind this team challenged the Spurs in the playoffs last year. They have instant offense with Marbury and solid veteran leadership.
If Stephon Marbury has 20 and Shawn Marion have 20, Who else will score for them? Joe Johnson is inconsistent and penny is only a shade of a player he used to be. So if Tmac has 30 and Gooden has another good game(double double), and everyone plays a good game, then the Magic should win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jump:</div><div class="quote_post">Since when did everyone else play a good game, thats our problem.</div> Monday might be the night :mrgreen:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drew Gooden:</div><div class="quote_post">Monday might be the night :mrgreen:</div> Hopefully, and also, like Ice pointed out, we need to get out of the gates fast and set the tone for the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drew Gooden:</div><div class="quote_post">If Stephon Marbury has 20 and Shawn Marion have 20, Who else will score for them? Joe Johnson is inconsistent and penny is only a shade of a player he used to be. So if Tmac has 30 and Gooden has another good game(double double), and everyone plays a good game, then the Magic should win.</div> Id take 2 great players leading my team vs 1 anyday. Joe Johnson is inconsistent but what player on the Magic hasn't been? Tmac himself had a 4 point game. Drew Gooden has had off nights but seems to be adjusting well to his new role. I have noticed something with Gooden that I dont like, when he gets the ball down low he only looks to score. He could be double teamed and still goes for a wild shot. Pass the ball when in trouble. I'm not saying the Magic won't win. They could if they believe in themselves and set the tone early. You are right though, everyone on the Magic must have a good game to win. Hustle plays and energy is something they have been missing all season. Can we say Darrell Armstrong? He did so much for us, too bad he left the way he did. Look for the Magic to take full advantage of Amare sitting out.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jump:</div><div class="quote_post">Since when did everyone else play a good game, thats our problem.</div> Your answer is..... When T-mac first came to the magic
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drew Gooden:</div><div class="quote_post">If Stephon Marbury has 20 and Shawn Marion have 20, Who else will score for them? Joe Johnson is inconsistent and penny is only a shade of a player he used to be. So if Tmac has 30 and Gooden has another good game(double double), and everyone plays a good game, then the Magic should win.</div> There is a reason why the Suns made the playoffs last season in the WEST.They still have the core of players.Marbury,Marion,Penny,Johnson who all can score.Try to see both sides when making a prediction.
Gooden decided to prove you and me wrong Ice and he had 5 assists against the Mavs. Howard needs to keep and do good for 2 straight games. Giricek needs to hit some shots. Tmac will need to get 30, don't be surprised if Tmac gets matched up with Starbury at the end of the game.
Sensational preview Ice. I'm listening to all the comments being made about the Magic in this thread, along the lines of "if everyone has a good game" and "if so and so steps up" - fact is, that could be said about a lot of games the Magic have played this year. Fact is they haven't. Howard, Gooden, Lue etc are capable players, but having the talent isn't enough if you don't have the determination and heart to back it up. Even with Amare out, I think Phoenix have too good a team for an Orlando squad way down on confidence.
The Magic will lose once again. I watched that Magic game against San Antonio the other day, and they really lack defense. They play good defense in the beginning, but once their opponent makes a run, everything just shuts down and disintegrates. And on offense, it just looks like Tracy McGrady is doing everything, there's no second threat on that team, and Juwan Howard, the guy that was supposed to give the Magic an offensive threat, isn't working out, it's his 4th NBA address already. I feel these guys are really missing Darrell Armstrong, I don't really see Tyronn Lue as a starter for any team. The Suns with the offensive threats they have are going to take out the Magic. Even with Amare out, there are guys on that team that can step up at any given time.
