Magic take over top spot in East with win over MIA
The Heat played one of their better games of the season, but the Magic prevailed 107-104, led by GHill's 24 pts (9 of 15 FG). Thanks to IND beating CLE, the Magic, at 9-4, now are in first place in the East, and 2 1/2 games ahead of ATL in the SE division.
DHoward, despite shooting just 6 of 19, had 23 pts 12 rebs. JNelson had 14 pts 5 assists, and just 1 TO. Darko had a nice game off the bench with 11 pts 8 rebs. Dwyane Wade had a typical game for him with 33 pts (15 of 20 FTs) and a career-high 15 assists. Udonis Haslem added 19 pts, and Alonzo Mourning 17 pts. Dorell Wright had a double-double of 12 pts 13 rebs.
The Magic (37 of 81, 45.7%) outscored MIA (36 of 85, 42.4%) from the field 77-75. ORL was 3 of 7 from 3 pt range, MIA 3 of 9. The Magic (30 of 37, 81.1%) had the edge at the FT line (MIA 29 of 37, 78.4%). Miami had a surprising edge on the boards 51-38. The Magic had their best assist/turnover ratio of the year at 20-8, while the Heat also had a very good ratio of 21-8. The Magic depth was dominant, as the reserves outscored MIAs reserves 32-8, despite the fact two MIA starters (Walker and Payton) were demoted to the bench.
Very encouraging win for the Magic, winning a close game on the road, taking the best shot from a Heat team that's desperate for a win. Magic are now 5-1 in games decided by 5 pts or less. The Magic is back in action again SAT night against ATL.
DHoward, despite shooting just 6 of 19, had 23 pts 12 rebs. JNelson had 14 pts 5 assists, and just 1 TO. Darko had a nice game off the bench with 11 pts 8 rebs. Dwyane Wade had a typical game for him with 33 pts (15 of 20 FTs) and a career-high 15 assists. Udonis Haslem added 19 pts, and Alonzo Mourning 17 pts. Dorell Wright had a double-double of 12 pts 13 rebs.
The Magic (37 of 81, 45.7%) outscored MIA (36 of 85, 42.4%) from the field 77-75. ORL was 3 of 7 from 3 pt range, MIA 3 of 9. The Magic (30 of 37, 81.1%) had the edge at the FT line (MIA 29 of 37, 78.4%). Miami had a surprising edge on the boards 51-38. The Magic had their best assist/turnover ratio of the year at 20-8, while the Heat also had a very good ratio of 21-8. The Magic depth was dominant, as the reserves outscored MIAs reserves 32-8, despite the fact two MIA starters (Walker and Payton) were demoted to the bench.
Very encouraging win for the Magic, winning a close game on the road, taking the best shot from a Heat team that's desperate for a win. Magic are now 5-1 in games decided by 5 pts or less. The Magic is back in action again SAT night against ATL.
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 1:55 AM
4 Comments:
At 2:33 AM,
Mike from Illinois said…
I didn't see the game, but I wonder how many of the foul calls against Wade were legit and how many were phantom. Regardless, I think the refs did a great job calling the game even... 23 fouls against both teams that led to 37 FT attempts by both teams.
The new starting lineup for the Heat really helped them. Kapono and Wright gave them a spark that Payton and Walker never could this season.
Great job by the Magic with just 8 TOs, and 81% FT shooting, two problem areas at times this season, especially the TOs.
What the heck is wrong with Hedo? In his last 4 games, he has shot just 11 of 38 for just 36 pts. Nice to see the other guys picking him up though.
After 13 games, whoever thought the Magic would be 4 1/2 games ahead of Miami, and 5 1/2 games better than the Bulls? And the Magic haven't even played their best basketball yet... the best is yet to come!
At 4:42 AM,
OVERWADED said…
I try to refrain from talking like this most of the time, but the shit was really starting to hit the fan with Wade tonight, especially in end the end. Of course you can’t trust my opinion, because I watch the guy as close as I can and the least as I can. I can’t stand watching him play, as he is continually bailed out play after play; but if the Magic are playing the Heat, I have to, and it’s painful. I’m just happy the Magic came out with the victory, which was very surprising to me. Wade did his best, going to the free throw line undeserving time after time in the 4th. In the end, it caught up to him, he threw up an air ball, started crying saying he got hit on the wrist, and it was clear nobody was near him, and that was that. I’m satisfied with the win, but not with the current state of the NBA.
At 8:34 AM,
Matt said…
Miami certainly came to play, and they had a lot more on the line than we did. I thought Mourning was as physical as could be, and Haslem frustrated Dwight. Wright and Kapano were quite steady. Dwight needs to simplify his moves because he missed plenty at close range that Haslem had nothing to do with; he simply missed. Grant and Darko were fantastic. I don't care if Darko doesn't score a point as long as he blocks 3 shots per game resulting in 6 points lost for the opponent, and 6 points for us on the fast-break. Putting Keith to guard Wade instead of smaller Keyon was smart. As Big Figure has pointed out, Hedo needs to wake up. He has reverted to his old self of taking bad shots, and not taking the ball to the basket enough.
Finally, Let's not lose the perspective that we are only 5 games above 500. We have to win today and then focus on this gruelling road trip. The first game at, surprise of the season, Utah is important for a boost of confidence even if we lose but play decent. I wish that Hill wakes up and inserts Darko in the starting line-up. We have to use the advantage on our front-line instead of falling in the trap of playing small ball.
At 11:01 AM,
Big Figure said…
Good win for the magic,but at the same time can you imagine if the heat had shaq last night,the game may not have even been close,but a win is a win and i'll take it. In comes another magic nemesis,the hawks usually beat us up,pachulia's like an all-star when we play them,and joe johnson plays the jordan role,the guys need to take pride in two things,(1)winning at home,which they've done a good job of (2)they need to stop letting the hawks push them around.
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