Game review: Magic (41-20) 126, 76ers (22-37) 105
Led by Jameer Nelson's double/double of 22 points and 1o assists with six other Magic players in double figures, the Magic blew open a close game in the second half to win going away and tied their highest point total of the season. Philadelphia played without Elton Brand and Allen Iverson.
In a very high-scoring first quarter which saw both teams hitting at least 70% of their shots from the field, the 76ers led after one 36-35. The second quarter remained close as the Magic maintained a slim lead for most of the quarter, but the Magic scored the final 6 points of the half, all by Nelson, as the Magic led at the half 68-61. The closest the 76ers got in the third quarter was 68-63 at the beginning, but then the Magic gradually extended their lead and ended the quarter on a 13-4 run to go ahead 102-81 entering the fourth. The Magic, known for blowing large second half leads the last few months, would not blow this lead, as the 76ers could not come any closer than 18 points early in the fourth. The Magic's largest lead was 124-96 on their way to the final.
Magic leading scorers
Jameer Nelson: 22 points (8 of 11 FGs, 2 of 4 3 PT FGs), 10 assists, 1 turnover
Vince Carter: 19 points (7 of 13 FGs, 3 of 4 3 PT FGs), 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Rashard Lewis: 19 points (8 of 12 FGs, 3 of 4 3 PT FGs)
Matt Barnes; 16 points (6 of 7 FGs, 3 of 3 3 PT FGs), 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
Dwight Howard: 14 points (4 of 7 FGs), 3 rebounds
J.J. Redick (bench): 11 points (2 of 4 3 PT FGs)
Mickael Pietrus (bench): 10 points (3 of 9 FGs, 2 of 4 3 PT FGs), 6 rebounds
Overall Game Statistics
FG%: ORL 58.4% (45 of 77) PHI 48.8% (42 of 86)
3 PT FG%: ORL 65.2% (15 of 23) PHI 47.1% (8 of 17)
FT%: PHI 92.9% (13 of 14) ORL 84% (21 of 25)
REB: ORL 35 (6 offensive) PHI 34 (11 offensive)
AST/TO: ORL 22/11 PHI 20/12
BENCH: ORL 36 PHI 21
Other game notes and stats:
-All five 76ers' starters scored in double figures, led by a career-high 23 points from PG Jrue Howard, along with 6 assists; Samuel Dalembert added a double/double of 12 points, 11 rebounds
-All five Magic starters shot over 50%, combining to shoot 33 of 50 (66%).
-The 76ers' bench combined to shoot 9 of 26 from the field
-The 76ers shot 14 of 20 from the field in the first quarter, but just 28 of 66 the rest of the game
-The Magic starters other than Howard combined to shoot 11 of 15 from three point range
-Carter led the Magic with 7 rebounds
-Jason Williams had 5 points, 4 assists off the Magic bench and Marcin Gortat added 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals
-The Magic held the 76ers to 44 second half points
-Ryan Anderson and Anthony Johnson did not play for the Magic
Here is the complete recap and box score from nba.com.
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posted by Mike from Illinois @ 11:12 PM
5 Comments:
At 3:31 AM,
Mike from Illinois said…
A solid Magic win over a struggling 76ers' team. Lots of players contributed to this win, but Jameer Nelson stood out the most with his double/double and outstanding job running the offense.
The Magic defense really improved in the second half after a bad first half. The Magic have allowed just 76 second half points the last two games.
At 10:20 AM,
Matt said…
I think that Magic is improving in defense at the expense of offense, but that was expected. As we move forward, we would eventually find the proper balance between the two, hopefully by Play-offs time. Jameer is moving towards his peak of last year (when he was named an all-star), Vince and Rashard are getting more aggressive, and finally Brandon has found a place in rotation. My guess is that the coach has not forgotten Ryan, but rather is experimenting with Brandon in the line-up, and it is paying off at defense.
At 6:35 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how long Coach Van Gundy sticks with Bass over Anderson in the rotation.
At 7:49 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
The knock on Bass is on his defense, that he is out of position too often and doesn't know where to be on the defensive end, and that his rebounding isn't that good.
At 1:12 AM,
led signs said…
According to me the Magic is humanizing in defense at the rate of crime, but that was anticipated. As we move ahead, we would ultimately find the appropriate balance between the two, optimistically by the time we play the last game.
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