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 Fans may be a bit disappointed to see Shaquille O’Neal on the bench in a suit, but it will be a welcome sign for a depleted Magic squad that is entering its final game of the 2004-05 season. O’Neal suffered a deep right thigh bruise Sunday when he was kneed by the Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal on a drive to the basket, just three games after his return from a stomach virus that caused him to miss three games spanning from April 5-10. The Heat will rely heavily on superstar soph Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning, who took over a majority of Shaq’s minutes (he played as many as 37 in an April 10 meeting vs. the Pistons) when his teammate went down earlier this month. The Heat are only 1-4 since April 8, but don’t expect the No. 1 team in the East to be down for very long with a playoff charge right around the corner.
 Orlando proved they can still win despite their exhausted and injury-proned squad Monday night when they defeated the Indiana Pacers, 92-88, at the TD Waterhouse Centre. The Magic showed the resiliency they have had all season, coming back from a fourth-quarter deficit and holding Indiana to just four points in the final 3:59 of the game and only seven in the last 7:58. Steve-O also returned to his old moniker of Mr. Clutch, hitting a jumper with 10.4 seconds remaining to ensure Orlando of the ‘W’ and clinching the season series with the Pacers three games to one, the first time they have done that since the 1998-99 season. Francis & Co. would like nothing more than to end their season with a victory over the East’s best team, as the Heat are one of only three teams in the East (with the others being Boston and Chicago) that Orlando is winless against this season.
Last Meeting: The Magic fell to the Heat, 112-103, on February 27 at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando. Without the services of Shaquille O’Neal for the third straight game, Eddie Jones came through in the clutch for Miami, scoring 16 of his 24 points in the final quarter to complete back-to-back wins for the Heat against Orlando. Grant Hill scored 34 for the Magic in the losing effort. All-Time Series: The Magic trail in the all-time series with the Heat 25-37, including a 15-16 record in Orlando. GAME NOTES: MAGIC | HEAT MAGIC MEDIA GUIDE Injury Report: Pat Garrity - Out - Torn ACL Grant Hill - Injured List - Sore left shin...Placed on Apr. 8 Hedo Turkoglu - Injured List - Fractured wrist...Placed on Mar. 22 Andrew DeClercq - Injured List - Sore right knee...Placed on Feb. 10 Doug Christie - Injured List - Bone spurs in left ankle...Placed on March 5 Fan Appreciation Week Concludes! Fan Appreciation Week concludes Wednesday night as the first 5,000 fans will receive Magic Rally Towels courtesy of Del-Air Heating and Air Conditioning. There will also be a jersey presentation to 16 lucky Magic season ticket holders and 16 Community Relations recipients who will also receive a jersey from a Magic player!   Now is the time to get a jump on securing the best seats for next season! The Magic are now taking refundable deposits of $100 for full season tickets and $50 for partial ticket plans for the 2005-06 season. By putting your deposit down early, you'll receive priority to choose the best possible seat locations for next season. Call a Magic ticket representative today at 407-89-MAGIC and press 1, to get your deposit time stamped immediately! | |
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Wednesday, April 20 vs. 7:00PM @ TD Waterhouse Centre TV: Magic TV Network Radio: Flagship: AM 580 WDBO In Spanish: Flagship: AM 1030 WONQ
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