Preview: Magic @ Pacers Juwan Howard vs Jermaine O?Neal Gordan Giricek vs Ron Artest Tracy McGrady vs Reggie Miller Tyronn Lue vs Jamaal Tinsley Injury List <u> Orlando</u> Pat Garrity Reece Gaines Grant Hill <u>Indiana </u> Kenny Anderson Jonathan Bender Primoz Brezec Team Updates <u>Orlando</u> The Magic have lost 5 of 6 games and 4 straight. It looks like they are resorting to their old ways with zero defense and no energy. In their 112-103 loss to the Grizzlies, Tracy McGrady played a good game with 34 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds. Tyronn Lue had a great night as well, scoring 15 points on 7-11 shooting. Tracy McGrady has been complaining about injuries, teammates and recently claimed he only goes out and does his part. Comments like that have proven is isn?t a true leader, and cannot carry the Magic. <u>Indiana </u> The Pacers are currently riding a 4 game win streak. They recently beat the Hornets 91-84, with 4 players scoring in double digits. Jermaine Oneal had a huge game with 26 points and 16 rebounds while Ron Artest added 9 points and fouled out. A shoving match between Al Harrington and George Lynch turned into a fight which led to 3 ejections. The status of the players involved is still unknown, a suspension will most likely take place. Forward Jermaine O'Neal was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month. During December, he averaged 21.2 points and 10.3 rebounds. [quoteright] "I'll say this: I still want to play this season. At what time, I just don't know. I can do everything except dunk right now. I can run and I can move laterally. I feel good." -Grant Hil[/QUOTERIGHT] Keys to the Game <u> Orlando</u> <ul>Play Defense. That?s the main thing the Magic need to do, and do well. The Magic don?t know how to play defense and get exposed every night. They don?t have a big man to defend the basket, and the backcourt players are slacking.[/list] <ul>Bench Production. The Pacers are a deep team, the Magic need help from the entire roster.[/list] <u> Indiana</u> <ul>Set the tempo early. Once the Magic fall behind, they have no chance.[/list] Current Team Leaders <u> Orlando</u><ul>Points: Tracy McGrady (24.6) Rebounds: Drew Gooden (8.1) Assists: Tracy McGrady (5.9) Steals: Tracy McGrady (1.2)[/list] <u> Indiana </u> <ul>Points: Jermaine ONeal (20.5) Rebounds: Jermaine Oneal (10.5) Assists: Ron Artest (3.8) Steals: Ron Artest (2.1)[/list] Key Bench Players <u> Orlando</u> Drew Gooden<ul>13.2 Points Per Game, 8.1 Rebounds Per Game, 1.4 Assists Per Game[/list] Rod Strickland <ul>6.3 Points Per Game, 2.2 Rebounds Per Game, 2.8 Assists Per Game[/list] Shammond Williams <ul>5.7 Points Per Game, 1.2 Rebounds Per Game, 2.3 Assists Per Game[/list] <u> Indiana</u> Scott Pollard<ul>1.5 Points Per Game, 2.6 Rebounds Per Game, .5 Assists Per Game[/list] Fred Jones <ul>3.6 Points Per Game, 1.0 Rebounds Per Game, 1.8 Assists Per Game[/list] Jamison Brewer <ul>2.9 Points Per Game, 1.1 Rebounds Per Game, 1.6 Assists Per Game[/list] Key Matchup <font size="1">Tracy McGrady/Ron Artest</font> The 'X' Factor If the Pacers get off to a quick start, the Magic don?t stand a chance. Ice's Take Pacers by double digits Recap and Boxscore following the game <font size="1">Go to NBA.com for the official preview</font>
Nice Preview Ice. I would say the Pacers take this one but I'm not sure. Yeah we suck on D and tend to give up but The Magic has alreasdy beat this team I don't see why they can't beat them again. Magic in the upset by 4.
I am still wondering how we beat them last time. The Pacers are looking good this season. And I doubt the Pacers will let the Magic take another one. Pacers win, and it's not gonna be pretty.
I'm sorry guys, but I have a bad feeling about this game. I'm gonna go Pacers by 15+. Activate Gaines, so he can get some minutes in the game, since it will be a blowout.
Pacers were ashamed by their loss last time and this time, they probably won't be ashamed again. Blowout for Indiana, 105-80.
Pacers in a blowout, tehse 2 teams have been playing 2 completely different brands of basketball the last few weeks. Pacers by 13
Already Down 33 to 18 at the end of the first quater.. Not looking good really.. One thing to look up about... O'Neal is killing with Ten points. But hasnt gotten his hands on a single rebound. And the rebounding battle is dead even with 7.
After 3 the Magic are down 8. McGrady is having one of his g=best games tonight with 7/7/from the 3 point line and 36 points. Bogans has 5 rebounds, and Tyronn Lue has 6 assists most of them to T-mac for 3's. and Drew Gooden has a block
T-Mac is on fire but points are nothin if your trying to get a W. Anyone Star can put up those numbers but how many will win the game?? But damn this dude is gonna drop 13 threes and break the NBA record.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AirJordan:</div><div class="quote_post">T-Mac is on fire but points are nothin if your trying to get a W. Anyone Star can put up those numbers but how many will win the game?? But damn this dude is gonna drop 13 threes and break the NBA record.</div> What else do you want him to do??? he is hustling, playing d, dishing the ball and dropping 3's. He can't be blamed for how his teammates are playing and not to many people put up the numbers he does.
Get his team involved. Only two other players are in double figures and 6 Indiana players are in double figures.
Tracy Mcgrady had one of his and the Magic's best game tonight against the Pacers in a loss 114-107. Mcgrady put up an outstanding 43 points with 9 threes. The Magic's L came from the lack of defense again. But this time they slacked in the 4th letting the Pacers score 2 3's in a row to seal the w. This was an upset to all of those who said the Magic were going to get blowed out. Tracy Mcgrady lived up to his captain role tonight and proved that he's worth wearing that C on his jerseys. Good game by the Magic and the Pacers. Maybe we'll get the W next game. Ice will probably have the real recap for you guys soon so sit tight.
They trailed the whole game... By a large margin, Cut it down a few times.. But not once made a big rally to come close to taking a lead or tying it... Thats their whole problem.. They get in a hole.. Sometimes come up, but just get pushed back down. He's not really supposed to say it... But he is right... He can't do EVERY single thing to win against a team like the Pacers... They are to good... He did his part.. The others have to give a little bit of kick.. I thought Keith Bogans stats looked pretty nice. He seemed to have some good effect.. They should really play him more, cause he looks promising.. And Lee Nailon didnt do to bad.. I don't think hes young or anything, but he got some effort in from the looks of it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting :</div><div class="quote_post">Get his team involved. Only two other players are in double figures and 6 Indiana players are in double figures.</div> True, but everyone else sucks Its simple: The Magic cannot play 48 minutes of basketball. It wouldnt surprise me if Tmac starting bitching out his teammates tonight in the locker room. He played a great game though, especially since he was going against Artest. High scorers: Tracy McGrady- 43 Juwan Howard- 19 Am I the only one who sees a problem with that? Box Score Recap
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AirJordan:</div><div class="quote_post">Get his team involved. Only two other players are in double figures and 6 Indiana players are in double figures.</div> So if they don't make their shots it's his fault? I looked at the whole game he got some open looks for his teammates. he averages 6 assists a game.So maybe it's just that you don't like him?
T-Mac is one man people one man like his number. It's up to his teammates do they want to follow tracy and make an effort for the Win. In the game I noticed that alot of time Rod Strickland and T-Lue was only looking for T-Mac to get the ball. They didn't try to drive or nothing.If they continue to this they will continue to lose games it's that simple. Here are a few quotes to help my statement out: " There's no I in team" The Magic need to start gelling again and play like a team and stop depending on one person. "You'll keep on getting what you're getting if you keep doing what you're doing" The Magic will keep losing if they keep playing like they've been playing. They played great today but still made mistakes that cost them the W.
I am tired of this weak "oh no one else makes shots" cry over T-Mac. McGrady has embarrassed himself this season and showed that he has not yet grown up and is ready to assume a leadership role. Leaders motivate their teammates and make them play hard, McBaby just has not done that. Sad too because this team has talent around him, I don't care what anyone says.
