Magic/Portland preview
The Magic (12-4, 5-3 road) face a struggling Blazers team that's lost 3 in a row and is 6-10, 4-4 at home. Magic are going for their 6th straight win and 10 out of 11 overall. Should the Magic win, they would tie Utah (13-4) for the best record in the league. POR is coming off a 105-97 home loss to IND on TUE. Zach Randolph led with 30 pts 11 rebs.
POR is led by F Randolph, averaging 25.4 ppg and 10.3 rebs. G Jarret Jack averages 12.5 ppg and 5.9 assists. Rookie Brandon Roy, averaging 11.6 ppg, will miss the game with a sore knee. G Juan Dixon averages 10.5 ppg and F Travis Outlaw 10.3 ppg. Rookie LaMarcus Aldridge averages 8 ppg. C Joel Przybilla is back in action after missing several games. POR averages 93.6 ppg while allowing 100 ppg. The Magic average 96.6 ppg, while allowing 92.1 ppg.
POR has beaten the Magic 6 of the last 7 games in POR. The Blazers are 5-0 when holding the opponent to under 100 pts. However, in 4 losses in their last 5 games, POR has allowed at least 105 pts in those losses. POR is allowing opponents to shoot 48.6% from the field this season. Magic are 4 pt favorites (www.pinnaclesports.com).
POR is led by F Randolph, averaging 25.4 ppg and 10.3 rebs. G Jarret Jack averages 12.5 ppg and 5.9 assists. Rookie Brandon Roy, averaging 11.6 ppg, will miss the game with a sore knee. G Juan Dixon averages 10.5 ppg and F Travis Outlaw 10.3 ppg. Rookie LaMarcus Aldridge averages 8 ppg. C Joel Przybilla is back in action after missing several games. POR averages 93.6 ppg while allowing 100 ppg. The Magic average 96.6 ppg, while allowing 92.1 ppg.
POR has beaten the Magic 6 of the last 7 games in POR. The Blazers are 5-0 when holding the opponent to under 100 pts. However, in 4 losses in their last 5 games, POR has allowed at least 105 pts in those losses. POR is allowing opponents to shoot 48.6% from the field this season. Magic are 4 pt favorites (www.pinnaclesports.com).
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 4:15 AM
2 Comments:
At 10:38 AM,
Big Figure said…
This may be the worst team in the league when its all said and done,so this game might be a tough one to win,portland has nothing to prove so they may play loose,the magic trying to keep riding high may have a bad shooting night,whatever the case,if the magic bring their defense to work (mainly on Z.Randolph),we should make this 3 in a row on the west coast trip.
At 12:57 PM,
OVERWADED said…
It feels strange for the Magic to be favored by 4 on a West coast road trip no matter how bad the team.
The Magic are riding high. They are confident. Even in the last game, when we tanked the 1st quarter, the 2nd unit hit the floor, and flipped the switch. Then the 2nd half came around, and the rest of the players followed. It really reminded me of what the "great teams", like championship teams do. They compete, and even if they are struggling, they find a way to take their game to another level, build a league, and the Magic look to be really starting to grasp this concept. As early in the season, they would get a lead, and lose it. We were fortunate to get some close wins early on, in turn, building our confidence. As of late, the Magic have been jumping on teams in the late 3rd, early 4th, getting double digit leads, and keeping their foot on the throats of the opponents. What's even more impressive is how we continue to do this with more than 1 player not on the top of their game. Again I will say, the Magic have the deepest team in the league, period. If the Magic stay healthy, it'll be tough for anyone to beat this squad. And if Grant Hill actually stays healthy, the ENTIRE East is in trouble. The only challenges I see are out West, unless we're playing Team LeBRONZE or OVERWADED and those individual players shoot 20+ FT's against us, but who would struggle with that.
Another note: Brian Hill is a slow learner, which is obvious. But as of late, B Hill has been using Darko in a lot more meaningful minutes, especially at the end of games. As we’ve seen, Darko’s confidence has continued to grow, as he’s gotten better ever game. He’s even holding his head up a little, cracking smiles, joking, which I was wondering if I’d ever see! Brian Hill needs to maintain Darko’s attitude. I read that Pat Garrity is supposed to return tonight. Why, I don’t know. I rather cut Garrity than actually have him on the roster. As of late, Bo has been playing a little, and he does no damage to the team on the floor, because he brings amazing energy. I’m hoping the return of Garrity, doesn’t mean he’s actually going to play. As of Darko, he’ll have to remain coming off the beach, as Hill recently said he doesn’t change lineups while a team is winning. As long he continues getting more minutes, and playing in crunch time, I guess I can live with that for now.
Even though the Magic should beat them by 10+, I’m going to say Magic 101-94.
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