That's all that needs to be said about tonight's game against the Nets AT HOME. We have to win this, if we do then we will be all alone as the 7th seed. Right now no team wants the 7th/8th seed as the Magic/Nets each have lost their last game and Knicks/Pacers have each lost 2 in a row. There is absolutely ZERO excuse for losing this game and if we lose our playoff hopes will continue to slim. If we win this could get us back on the right track and give us a little cushion for the playoffs(since Knicks play the Cavs and the Pacers play the Heat). It is absolutely necessary that we get the #7 seed, because we have proven the last 2 years that we were capable of beating Cleveland as we are 2-1 against them this year and we were pretty good last year too. Detroit on the other hand flat out owns us. The team better come out with energy and passion with all that is on the line tonight. I can't deal with another sleep walking performance on our home floor against a sub 500 team. This is put up or shut up time.
There's ZERO excuse for Dwight Howard to be such a horrendous player at the free throw line, but it happens. I'm not sure Orlando has the confidence to finish strong and make the post-season. They don't believe in Jameer Nelson enough to extend him, yet he's the starting PG. It just seems Brian Hill and Otis Smith aren't on the same page with the direction of this team. The Nets are playing with a chip on their shoulder, and being the veteran squad they know what it takes to win down the stretch. Even the Knicks have an identy this year. They make it a point of emphasis to get the ball inside to Eddy Curry and play off of him. Indiana will live and die on Jermaine O'Neal's health, but they have one of the more difficult schedules the rest of the way.
Well we won the game, thank God. This is definitely huge for our team and hopefully we can build off this win and finish off our season strong. Dwight needs to get the ball more but what's new. It's hard when he is being double or triple teamed since the Nets have a pretty weak front court. Jason Collins was playing really aggresive out there and like shape said earlier, Dwight really needs to work on his free throws. He is horrible from the line and when we play a team like the Nets, they just hack him and send him to the stripe where he misses. It really takes him out of the game and puts a heavy load on our guards (luckily Jameer's shots were falling tonight). Let's look at some of the positives though. I absolutely love Trevor Ariza. He played great defense on Vince Carter whenever he was in the game. He had a huge block late in the fourth quarter that really shifted the momentum and got the fans into it. I honestly feel we should cut back Hedo's minutes and play Ariza alongside Redick and Jameer more during the game. Turkoglu has been horrible lately and we Trevor is always making an impact whenever he steps onto the floor. I'd also like to mention Darko who was a beast for a couple plays. He had a huge dunk and the foul and the next time down the court he had a put back slam that was nasty. I wish he could always make plays like that instead of turning soft every now and then. Jameer did a good job on Jason Kidd and he had a couple nice threes. I think he had 22 points and 6 assists which was enough to come away with the win. He also had a big fourth quarter that gave the Magic a pretty good lead. He really needs to drive more rather than settling for jumpshots because when he slashes to the basket, he is much more effective. Also, did anyone notice what happened after the game? Right after the buzzer sounded, Vince Carter headed over to the Magic bench and talked to Dwight Howard for a minute or two and then went over and talked to Brian Hill for a little while before coach headed to the locker room. Grant Hill then walked over and patted Vince on the head while Dwight and him were joking. How weird is that? That's definitely not normal, especially after an important loss that could end up knocking you out of the playoffs. Any thoughts on this?
I was watching the Florida game obviously, but I flipped over to the Magic game to check the scores, so I am taking most of my anger out on the stats, but Dwight being the 4th starter in shots will not cut it especially for 2 straight games. He has combined for 7 shots in the last 2 games and hopefully they will give him the ball more so he has more opportunity to score. I'm glad we won, but Darko needs to be starting, he is more effective then Battie the majority of time when he starts.
<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I was watching the Florida game obviously, but I flipped over to the Magic game to check the scores, so I am taking most of my anger out on the stats, but Dwight being the 4th starter in shots will not cut it especially for 2 straight games. He has combined for 7 shots in the last 2 games and hopefully they will give him the ball more so he has more opportunity to score. I'm glad we won, but Darko needs to be starting, he is more effective then Battie the majority of time when he starts.</div> This is actually one of the games that 7 shots wasn't a bad thing, he was getting doubled before he even got the ball the nets really focus their defense on Dwight and he passed out and wasn't forcing shots, He had alot bigger impact on the game than the stats show.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Also, did anyone notice what happened after the game? Right after the buzzer sounded, Vince Carter headed over to the Magic bench and talked to Dwight Howard for a minute or two and then went over and talked to Brian Hill for a little while before coach headed to the locker room. Grant Hill then walked over and patted Vince on the head while Dwight and him were joking. How weird is that? That's definitely not normal, especially after an important loss that could end up knocking you out of the playoffs. Any thoughts on this?</div> Nah, that's normal for Vince, trust me.
This Knicks game on Monday is also a must win game. If we win that, then we would have a LOT of cushion on the Knicks.
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nah, that's normal for Vince, trust me.</div> Sarcasm or seriousness?
<div class="quote_poster">02civic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">serious ^ Vince has always been known for goofing around and being happy during team losses</div> Wow, that's pretty surprising. Most Magic players get in a bad mood after a loss and I assumed this goes for all NBA players.
<div class="quote_poster">Swish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, that's pretty surprising. Most Magic players get in a bad mood after a loss and I assumed this goes for all NBA players.</div> Just another reason why I don't want VC on the Magic. I don't want to see our team laughing and joking around after we lose, especially in a game as big as that one.
You do realize you had 37 FT's and 16 more than the Magic right? I didn't see the game, so I don't know how the fouls were called at the end, but throughout the game it looks like you all got the benefit of the doubt. Big time win. Maybe Brian Hill knew something that we didn't. Ever since we stopped passing to Dwight we are 3-1. Dwight has totaled 27 shots in the last 4 games. (6.75 shots per game)
This was another huge win for us and gave us an edge in the race for the seventh seed. If we can manage to beat the Pacers next Friday, that would be huge since they are also pushing for a playoff spot. We better hold onto to the seventh seed because I honestly think our team could beat the Cavs in a playoff series. Our players would be focused and we play well as underdogs. Plus, Dwight would have his way with Big Z and we have a healthy team right now heading into the playoffs. Ariza could match up on LeBron and try to contain him. Let's hope our inconsistency doesn't come back to haunt us again.
I also wouldn't mind meeting the Cavs in the playoffs. We are 2-1 against them this year. Hopefully we can win the game in Boston tomorrow, and then we'll come back home ready for the Pacers on the 30th.
<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You do realize you had 37 FT's and 16 more than the Magic right? I didn't see the game, so I don't know how the fouls were called at the end, but throughout the game it looks like you all got the benefit of the doubt. Big time win. Maybe Brian Hill knew something that we didn't. Ever since we stopped passing to Dwight we are 3-1. Dwight has totaled 27 shots in the last 4 games. (6.75 shots per game)</div> It's simple. We had more free throws since we attack the basket. The Magic were just mostly shooting from the perimeter.
