<div align="center">The New Jersey Nets at The Orlando Magic http://img121.exs.cx/img121/3145/f6-magic.gif"> NetMagic's Record: 17-14 Date of Game: January 8, 2005 Time of Game: 7:00 PM Broadcast Nationally: NBATVHighDef Broadcast Locally: Yes Local Radio: 1130 AM Competators Head Coach: Lawrence Frank Projected Starters: Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Nenad Kristic, Jason Collins Key Reserves: Rodney Buford, Travis Best, Jabari Smith Head Coach: Johnny Davis Projected Starters: Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Grant Hill, Dwight Howard, Tony Battie Key Reserves: Stacey Augmon, Hidayet Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson Statistics Points Allowed Per Game Nets: 92.9 Magic: 101.23 Points Scored Per Game Nets: 86.09 Magic: 101.4 Point Differential Nets: -6.8 Magic: +.16 Rebounds Allowed Per Game Nets: 40.29 Magic: 42.46 Rebounds Grabbed Per Game Nets: 40.12 Magic: 44.9 Rebound Differential Nets: -.16 Magic: +2.43 Blocks Per Game Nets: 4.61 Magic: 6.03 Steals Per Game Nets: 6.8 Magic: 7.46 Turnovers Per Game Nets: 17.25 Orlando: 16.33 xpehbamxyu's Analysis </div> Defense: Orlando is statistically the worst defensive team judging by the number of points that other teams score against it. Orlando leads the league in points allowed. The Nets' defense cannot be judged by the number of points that appear in statistics because they are in the midst of reorganizing them selves with the acquisition of Carter. The last few games, however, the Nets have been horrible on defense. They have allowed opposing players to drive to the hoop with little resistance and other teams were able to shoot an unacceptable number of long range shots. Orlando, a premier offensive team, shall provide a tremendous challenge for the Nets' defense. Further providing a challenge for the Nets' defense is the fact that they do not have enough depth at their power forward and center positions. This lack of depth prevents Collins and Kristic from playing aggressive defense because it has occurred this season that as their aggressiveness rises, so do their fouls troubles start to surmount. Without big men protecting the paint as aggressively as they could, opposing teams take advantage by driving to the hoop. Orlando's defense should be less effective than usual due to Cato's injury, however, it is not a thing that they fear too much. Rebounding: The Orlando Magic grab the most rebounds per game than any other team in the league. Even without Kevin Cato who is out with an ankle injury, the Magic are able to dominate other teams on the boards. The Nets are not a pitiful rebounding team, but it is very unlikely that they will be able to out-rebound Orlando. The Nets clearly do not have the depth of big men needed to consistently and aggressivly push for rebounds. Offense Offense is the thing that Orlando does best. Grant Hill, Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Hidayet Turkoglu, and others have great offensive chemistry going. They have won games with their offense and are likely to score over 115 points against the Nets if the Nets continue to play the defense that they have played recently. The Nets' offense is still very inconsistent and is looking for an identity. Jason Kidd has not got the job done. Vince Carter on the other hand seems to be the offensive go to guy judging by the fact has been attempting the most shots. Keys to Win: Orlando's keys to winning is to do what it does best: rebound and score. Orlando will have to take advantage of the Nets' lack of depth at center and at power forward by driving to the hoop to getting the ball down low to its big men. Defensively they will have to work hard to double team Carter and force him to improvise by disrupting the Nets' offensive plays. The Nets will have to play a very strong defensive game, they will have to avoid playing too much zone, and match-up one on one. The individual players will have to sure that they do not get beat defensively on a drive; big men need to help out my contesting all shots near the basket. Nets will also have to play good offense: They will have to force rookie Dwight Howard to work on every play. They will have to utilize both Carter and Jefferson such that the Magic will be forced to double team both players. Conclusion and Prediction: The Nets are going to have a tough time in this game, if they had trouble with the Bucks, they will have trouble with Orlando. The Nets can't relax and have to play consistent defense and consistent offense. Orlando, as I said, will need to make sure that it does what it does best. I predict a blowout: Magic win 127-105.
Nice preview. I agree totally 100% that they will have a tough time with the Magic. I predict Magic win 102-97.
These are two favorite teams so I am just happy one of them will get a win. Since I have watched both of these teams more than any others, I feel that the Magic have the advantage in this one. Dwight Howard and Tony Battie will dominate inside and I can't see the Nets winning this one. My Prediction is a Magic win 108-92
There is no way we stay competive in this game without all three of our Big three having extremely strong games. Orlando is playing extremely well right now, that means even if we play strong Defense they are going to find away to put alot of points on the board. We have to find away to generate 90 plus points of our own. Hopefully we can get a double digit game from T.Best or rodney off the bench to go along with the play of the big three. If we keep this game out of the 100 point area. And get strong play from the big 3 along with a couple of guys off the bench. We should be in the game late with a chance to sneak out a W.
