Denton: Magic-Nets Postgame Analysis
By John Denton
March 5, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
The NBA’s worst team out of their way, now the Orlando Magic can shift their focus to the best team.
Orlando started quickly Friday night and did everything necessary to defeat the historically bad New Jersey Nets 97-87 for its fourth consecutive victory. Dead ahead for the Magic: An NBA Finals rematch against Los Angeles Lakers, shockingly losers of the past two games.
The surging Magic (43-20) demolished some of the NBA’s worst teams since blowing an 18-point lead in a loss to New Orleans a week ago. The Magic throttled Miami by 16 points, pounded Philadelphia by 21 and whipped Golden State by 27 points.
New Jersey, which dropped to 6-55 and could set the record for the worst record in NBA history, stayed close throughout, but never led Orlando. The Magic have not trailed at all in the past two games and seem to be hitting their stride just in time to face the Lakers on Sunday afternoon at Amway Arena.
``Our goal now is to take advantage of each and every game – I don’t care who it is, how good or how bad they are, but it’s about us,’’ said Magic guard Vince Carter, who scored 13 points and had a thunderous second-half dunk on Friday. ``That’s what we’re trying to do … get better every game.’’
Matt Barnes had 14 of his 16 points in the first quarter with his hustle, while Carter scored 11 of his 13 in the second half. Magic point guards Jameer Nelson (15 points and eight assists) and Jason Williams (13 points and one assist) pounded the Nets all night long and pushed the pace. And superstar center Dwight Howard racked up his NBA-best 49th double-double of the season with 11 rebounds and 16 blocks to go with his four blocked shots.
``We can be so dangerous because we have so many weapons and we have the best center in the league and everyone around him is playing well,’’ Barnes said. ``We’re a tough team, but we just have to keep playing defense and sustain our energy.’’
Here’s a look back at the good, the bad and the ugly from Friday’s victory:
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING >>>
By John DentonMarch 5, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
The NBA’s worst team out of their way, now the Orlando Magic can shift their focus to the best team.
Orlando started quickly Friday night and did everything necessary to defeat the historically bad New Jersey Nets 97-87 for its fourth consecutive victory. Dead ahead for the Magic: An NBA Finals rematch against Los Angeles Lakers, shockingly losers of the past two games.
The surging Magic (43-20) demolished some of the NBA’s worst teams since blowing an 18-point lead in a loss to New Orleans a week ago. The Magic throttled Miami by 16 points, pounded Philadelphia by 21 and whipped Golden State by 27 points.
New Jersey, which dropped to 6-55 and could set the record for the worst record in NBA history, stayed close throughout, but never led Orlando. The Magic have not trailed at all in the past two games and seem to be hitting their stride just in time to face the Lakers on Sunday afternoon at Amway Arena.
``Our goal now is to take advantage of each and every game – I don’t care who it is, how good or how bad they are, but it’s about us,’’ said Magic guard Vince Carter, who scored 13 points and had a thunderous second-half dunk on Friday. ``That’s what we’re trying to do … get better every game.’’
Matt Barnes had 14 of his 16 points in the first quarter with his hustle, while Carter scored 11 of his 13 in the second half. Magic point guards Jameer Nelson (15 points and eight assists) and Jason Williams (13 points and one assist) pounded the Nets all night long and pushed the pace. And superstar center Dwight Howard racked up his NBA-best 49th double-double of the season with 11 rebounds and 16 blocks to go with his four blocked shots.
``We can be so dangerous because we have so many weapons and we have the best center in the league and everyone around him is playing well,’’ Barnes said. ``We’re a tough team, but we just have to keep playing defense and sustain our energy.’’
Here’s a look back at the good, the bad and the ugly from Friday’s victory:
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING >>>
