Success in Game 1! Magic 114, Raptors 100
The Magic led from start to finish, with a spectacular first quarter of 43 points on 16 of 20 FG shooting, including 9 of 11 three point FGs. The nine three pointers tied an all-time NBA playoff record for the most threes in a quarter. The Magic's largest lead was 57-33 with 4:21 remaining in the second. However, the Magic went scoreless the final 4 minutes of the second quarter as TOR cut the Magic lead to 60-47 at the half. The Raptors continued to cut into the lead in the second half as the Magic cooled off from the floor, as they made only 4 of their final 16 three point FG attempts. After three, the Magic lead was cut to 7 points, and the Raptors got as close as 88-83 early in the fourth before the Magic scored 10 points in a row and held on from there.
Six Magic players scored in double figures, led by Dwight Howard, who had a monster game with 25 points (8 of 13 FGs), 22 rebounds, and 5 blocks. He even made 9 of 11 free throws. Jameer Nelson scored 24 pts (7 of 13 FGs), including 12 pts in the final quarter and added 7 assists; Hedo Turkoglu 21 pts (9 of 15 FGs), 6 rebs, 6 asts; Mo Evans 14 pts (4 of 6 3 pt FGs), including 11 pts in the first quarter; Rashard Lewis 13 pts (5 of 14 FGs), 5 asts. Keyon Dooling led the bench with 10 pts (4 of 8 FGs).
Four TOR players scored in double figures, led by Anthony Parker with 24 pts, 7 rebs. Chris Bosh scored 21 pts, but struggled from the field shooting just 4 of 11. He hit all 13 FTs. Rasho Nesterovic added 16 pts. Jason Kapono came off the bench to score 18 pts. Andrea Bargnani, the 2006 number one draft pick, started in place of Jamario Moon at SF, was not a factor, scoring just 5 pts.
The statistical breakdown:
FGs... ORL 41 of 77 (53.2%) TOR 32 of 85 (37.6%) ORL 95 TOR 73
3 PT FGs... ORL 13 of 29 (44.8%) TOR 9 of 20 (45%)
FTs... TOR 27 of 28 (96.4%) ORL 19 of 23 (82.6%)
REBs... ORL 42 (9 offensive) TOR 35 (8 offensive)
AST/TO... TOR 24/7 ORL 21/10
BENCH... TOR 29 ORL 17
The Raptors' PGs, T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon, combined to shoot just 4 of 20 from the field for 14 points, though they also combined for 14 assists with 0 TOs.
The Magic starting frontcourt outscored the Raptors' starting frontcourt 59-42, and outrebounded them 32-17. The Magic starting backcourt outscored the Raptors' starting backcourt 38-29.
The Raptors did well at the things they usually do well at... 96% from the free throw line, 45% from three point range, and a 24/7 assist/turnover ratio. Despite all that, the Magic were still able to win, thanks to a great team effort offensively and defensively.
Game 2 coming up Tuesday evening at Amway Arena.
Six Magic players scored in double figures, led by Dwight Howard, who had a monster game with 25 points (8 of 13 FGs), 22 rebounds, and 5 blocks. He even made 9 of 11 free throws. Jameer Nelson scored 24 pts (7 of 13 FGs), including 12 pts in the final quarter and added 7 assists; Hedo Turkoglu 21 pts (9 of 15 FGs), 6 rebs, 6 asts; Mo Evans 14 pts (4 of 6 3 pt FGs), including 11 pts in the first quarter; Rashard Lewis 13 pts (5 of 14 FGs), 5 asts. Keyon Dooling led the bench with 10 pts (4 of 8 FGs).
Four TOR players scored in double figures, led by Anthony Parker with 24 pts, 7 rebs. Chris Bosh scored 21 pts, but struggled from the field shooting just 4 of 11. He hit all 13 FTs. Rasho Nesterovic added 16 pts. Jason Kapono came off the bench to score 18 pts. Andrea Bargnani, the 2006 number one draft pick, started in place of Jamario Moon at SF, was not a factor, scoring just 5 pts.
The statistical breakdown:
FGs... ORL 41 of 77 (53.2%) TOR 32 of 85 (37.6%) ORL 95 TOR 73
3 PT FGs... ORL 13 of 29 (44.8%) TOR 9 of 20 (45%)
FTs... TOR 27 of 28 (96.4%) ORL 19 of 23 (82.6%)
REBs... ORL 42 (9 offensive) TOR 35 (8 offensive)
AST/TO... TOR 24/7 ORL 21/10
BENCH... TOR 29 ORL 17
The Raptors' PGs, T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon, combined to shoot just 4 of 20 from the field for 14 points, though they also combined for 14 assists with 0 TOs.
The Magic starting frontcourt outscored the Raptors' starting frontcourt 59-42, and outrebounded them 32-17. The Magic starting backcourt outscored the Raptors' starting backcourt 38-29.
The Raptors did well at the things they usually do well at... 96% from the free throw line, 45% from three point range, and a 24/7 assist/turnover ratio. Despite all that, the Magic were still able to win, thanks to a great team effort offensively and defensively.
Game 2 coming up Tuesday evening at Amway Arena.
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 5:18 PM
3 Comments:
At 4:31 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
It was great seeing Nelson stepping up, especially in the fourth quarter. If he can play that consistent the rest of the way, the Magic can really go a long way.
I know Otis Smith took a lot of heat for signing Nelson to the long-term extension before the season, and even I admit that I questioned the wisdom of that move, but here's where Nelson can prove that he was worth it.
Smith also took a lot of criticism for not signing a quality big man coming off the bench at PF, but the trade for Mo Evans has been one of his best moves. Even though the Magic had to give up Trevor Ariza, Evans is just as good, but with a much better, consistent outside shot than Ariza.
At 5:16 PM,
Big Figure said…
Well said mike,i think alot of individuals will kill otis for making a move they feel is bad or questionable,but we find them very quiet when he makes a good move.
At 9:01 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Exactly, Big Figure. If anyone is going to criticize Otis for a bad move, at least give him his props when something he does works out well for the Magic.
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