Magic back in action tonight against red-hot Pistons
The NBA returns to action after the All-Star Break, with the Magic (33-21, 19-10 road) facing a very difficult task playing at DET (39-13, 21-4 home). Since the Magic beat DET on JAN 21st, the Pistons have won ten games in a row by an average of double digits.
The probable starting lineup for DET:
G... Chauncey Billups (17.3 ppg. 7.1 asts)
G... Richard "Rip" Hamilton (18.3 ppg)
F... Tayshaun Prince (13.3 ppg)
F... Antonio McDyess (9.3 ppg, 8.7 rebs)
C... Rasheed Wallace (12.8 ppg, 7.1 rebs)
Top reserves: Jason Maxiell (7.9 ppg, 5.3 rebs); Jarvis Hayes (6.8 ppg); Arron Afflalo (3.5 ppg); Walter Hermann (3.0 ppg); Primoz Brezec (1.7 ppg)
DET is averaging 97.7 ppg, while allowing 89.6 ppg; ORL is averaging 104.0 ppg, while allowing 100.7 ppg.
The Magic have not won in DET since FEB of 2004. However, the Magic have "Superman" (DHoward) on their side; what will he do for an encore after last week's dominant performance against DEN, and his performance in the slam-dunk contest last weekend? DET is a 6 1/2 pt favorite (www.pinnaclesports.com).
The probable starting lineup for DET:
G... Chauncey Billups (17.3 ppg. 7.1 asts)
G... Richard "Rip" Hamilton (18.3 ppg)
F... Tayshaun Prince (13.3 ppg)
F... Antonio McDyess (9.3 ppg, 8.7 rebs)
C... Rasheed Wallace (12.8 ppg, 7.1 rebs)
Top reserves: Jason Maxiell (7.9 ppg, 5.3 rebs); Jarvis Hayes (6.8 ppg); Arron Afflalo (3.5 ppg); Walter Hermann (3.0 ppg); Primoz Brezec (1.7 ppg)
DET is averaging 97.7 ppg, while allowing 89.6 ppg; ORL is averaging 104.0 ppg, while allowing 100.7 ppg.
The Magic have not won in DET since FEB of 2004. However, the Magic have "Superman" (DHoward) on their side; what will he do for an encore after last week's dominant performance against DEN, and his performance in the slam-dunk contest last weekend? DET is a 6 1/2 pt favorite (www.pinnaclesports.com).
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 3:01 PM
1 Comments:
At 3:22 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Magic obviously have to get off to a much better start than they did the last time they played in DET; the Pistons had like a 20 pt lead after the first qtr.
Magic will have to focus on defense like they did against DEN last week if they want to have any chance of winning this one; it's going to be tough because of the bad matchup at PG with Billups having a big advantage over Nelson.
According to today's Sentinel, GM Otis Smith says that a trade is not likely for the Magic before THU's trading deadline, and even if a trade is made, there is no way that J.J. Redick will be included.
I'd like to see the Magic win at least one of these two difficult back-to-back road games, with TOR coming up on WED.
No prediction here for tonight's game... I would hope the Magic will be ready and focused from the beginning, and that they will be as focused on defense (especially Howard) as they were against the Nuggets.
Post a Comment
<< Home