TrailBlazers/Magic preview
After 3 days off, the Magic (26-26, 17-10 home, T7th East) play their final game before the All-Star Break against POR (22-31, 10-17 road, 13th West). POR is coming off a 104-85 loss at MIA on TUE. F Zach Randolph led with 17 pts. Before that, the Blazers had won at WAS and CHA. The Magic should see the return of KDooling, but will still be without GHill, TAriza, and TBattie. JNelson may miss tonight's game also due to the flu.
POR is led in scoring by Zach Randolph, with 23.9 ppg and 10.2 rebs; rookie G Brandon Roy 15.3 ppg; G Jarret Jack 12.6 ppg, 5.6 asts; G Juan Dixon 9.2 ppg; and rookie F/C LaMarcus Aldridge 6.8 ppg, 4 rebs. POR averages 93.7 ppg while allowing 97.7 ppg. The Magic average 94.2 ppg while allowing 93.4 ppg.
The Magic are now tied with MIA for the 7th spot in the East, and just 1 1/2 games ahead of NJ. The oncoming NY Knicks are just 3 games behind the Magic.
The Magic won at POR on DEC 1st 91-89 on GHill's last second tip-in to improve the Magic's record to 13-4. Since then, as we all know, the Magic have fallen on hard times, going just 13-22, including 12 losses in their last 16 games. The Magic have beaten POR 3 of their last 4 games, and need this game to avoid falling below the .500 mark. The Magic are 6 1/2 pt favorites (www.pinnaclesports.com).
POR is led in scoring by Zach Randolph, with 23.9 ppg and 10.2 rebs; rookie G Brandon Roy 15.3 ppg; G Jarret Jack 12.6 ppg, 5.6 asts; G Juan Dixon 9.2 ppg; and rookie F/C LaMarcus Aldridge 6.8 ppg, 4 rebs. POR averages 93.7 ppg while allowing 97.7 ppg. The Magic average 94.2 ppg while allowing 93.4 ppg.
The Magic are now tied with MIA for the 7th spot in the East, and just 1 1/2 games ahead of NJ. The oncoming NY Knicks are just 3 games behind the Magic.
The Magic won at POR on DEC 1st 91-89 on GHill's last second tip-in to improve the Magic's record to 13-4. Since then, as we all know, the Magic have fallen on hard times, going just 13-22, including 12 losses in their last 16 games. The Magic have beaten POR 3 of their last 4 games, and need this game to avoid falling below the .500 mark. The Magic are 6 1/2 pt favorites (www.pinnaclesports.com).
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 4:35 AM
3 Comments:
At 10:32 AM,
tdawg said…
Tonight is a must win. It will be a big let down if the Magic enter the all-star break under 500. Also maybe it slow the Trail Blazer playoff talk out here.
Go Magic
At 10:38 AM,
Big Figure said…
If hedo lays an egg again tonight we'll lose...If jameer doesnt play i'll be watching carlos's game very closely also.
At 2:00 PM,
OVERWADED said…
Coach Brian Hill expressed serious concern Monday over the health of small forward Hedo Turkoglu, who has been mired in a season-long shooting slump.
Turkoglu, along with point guard Jameer Nelson, missed practice Monday with flu-like symptoms.
Turkoglu has been battling the problem since before the season began, often complaining of weariness. The Magic have had Turkoglu undergo numerous tests in hopes of finding the root of his problem, but to no avail.
"I'm more concerned with his health [than his shooting woes],'' Hill said Monday.
"It just looks like something is missing now. It looks like he's been playing with a lack of energy. It's not a lack of effort, it's energy. And it's tough to play in this league if you don't have energy.''
Turkoglu is shooting a career-low 39.4 percent from the field. He is shooting 36.5 percent from 3-point range, the lowest percentage since his rookie season. He is averaging 11.7 points and 3.5 rebounds, both above his career averages.
In his last three games, he has made just seven of 29 shots. His last big game was Feb. 2 when he hit 8 of 12 shots for 22 points.
"It seems pretty clear to me, there's something there [wrong] physically,'' Hill said. "I see him trying, but I just don't see him capable of pushing through, doing things he was doing earlier.''
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