Orlando Magic Blog

Group Blog talking about the NBA 2009 Eastern Conference Champions. Due to the amazing success of the 2009 playoff run comments are now frequently deleted to kill offensive comments, incoherence, or asininity. Comments can no longer be anonymous and require either a Blogger or OpenID account.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Magic officially clinch playoff berth with rout over Bulls

Despite missing Hedo Turkoglu, sitting out because of a sore achilles, and an off-night from Rashard Lewis, the Magic were able to rout Chicago 107-79 thanks to a sparkling performance from the Magic bench, who scored a season-high combined 56 points.

The Magic held the Bulls to 21% field goal shooting in the first quarter as the Magic led after one 26-13. The Bulls then made their only run of the game as they came within 28-25 before the Magic took a 48-36 lead into the half. The Magic then blew the game wide open in the third quarter outscoring the Bulls 37-17 as they led 85-53 going into the fourth. Their largest lead came at 94-56 while the reserves for both teams played most of the fourth.

Magic leading scorers

Tony Battie (bench): 18 points (7 of 11 field goals), 8 rebounds
Dwight Howard: 15 points (6 of 7 field goals), 9 rebounds, 3 blocks
Courtney Lee: 14 points (5 of 11 field goals), 6 rebounds
J.J. Redick (bench): 13 points (4 of 6 field goals), 4 assists
Marcin Gortat (bench): 13 points (6 of 8 field goals), 15 rebounds

Chicago leading scorers

John Salmons: 18 points, 8 rebounds
Brad Miller: 11 points, 6 rebounds

Overall Game Statistics:

FG%: ORL 47.6% (40 of 84) CHI 31.4% (27 of 86)
3 PT FG%: ORL 33.3% (9 of 27) CHI 33.3% (6 of 18)
FT%: CHI 82.6% (19 of 23) ORL 75% (18 of 24)
REB: ORL 53 (11 offensive) CHI 44 (10 offensive)
AST/TO: ORL 24/14 CHI 13/18
BENCH: ORL 56 CHI 37

Other game notes and stats:

-The Bulls' starting guards, Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon, combined for just 11 points on 3 of 22 shooting; Gordon was held to 4 points two nights after scoring 43 points against Miami
-Lewis was held to 3 points on 0 for 9 shooting
-The Magic bench combined to shoot 22 of 37, while grabbing 27 rebounds, and outscored the Magic starters 56-51
-Howard was the only Magic starter to shoot over 50%; the other four starters combined to shoot 12 of 40
-The five Bulls' starters combined to shoot 13 of 50
-The two Magic point guards, Rafer Alston and Anthony Johnson, each had 6 assists
-Alston, Howard, and Lewis all played under 25 minutes
-Mickael Pietrus started for Turkoglu and scored 9 points, all on three pointers

The Magic play at Washington Friday night.

For the complete box score, click here

posted by Mike from Illinois @ 12:17 AM  

3 Comments:

  • At 4:25 AM, Blogger Mike from Illinois said…

    Wow, the Magic bench outscored the Magic starters!

    It was also great seeing the Magic take advantage of a Bulls’ team that must have been physically and emotionally exhausted after their excruciating double OT loss to Miami Monday night.

    Credit goes to the Magic defense, also. I’m sure they were embarrassed from losing to the Bulls by 18 points two weeks ago, and there was no way they were going to let that happen again.

    I had a great time at the game, and my seat was just three rows away from the court, at the side of the basket closest to the Magic bench. I had an end seat too, and had the added bonus of a different Magic Dancer sitting in the aisle next to me in the first and second half :-) That in itself was worth the price of the ticket.

    About the only negative sitting that close was that the basket stanchion obscured the view of the court a little bit, but other than that it was great!

    During a timeout in the third quarter, Stuff, the Magic mascot, snuck up behind me and threw a large towel or something over my whole head; the fans sitting near me got a good laugh out of it.

    Ten games in a row with me in attendance that the Magic have won, but I go back to Chicago Thursday night.

     

  • At 6:14 PM, Blogger Big Figure said…

    Yea great game by the magic bench. The bulls were tired and the magic meant business,both lead to a lopsided game. CLee was having an off game until he found his shot late,when he gets it going he's fun to watch. Marcin back in his usual role as back-up continues to impress also. Glad you had fun mike,no way we can talk you into staying a lil longer??? LOL.

     

  • At 4:41 AM, Blogger Mike from Illinois said…

    Thanks, Big Figure; I had a great 9 days in Orlando, and am glad the Magic were able to win all three games I attended to extend my personal streak to 10 Magic wins in a row in games I've attended.

    Yeah, I wish I could have stayed longer too, and attended more games, but I'm back in the Chicago area now.

     

Post a Comment

<< Home