Denton: Magic-Heat Postgame Analysis
By John Denton
March 18, 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.
MIAMI – Should the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat intersect in the playoffs again for the first time since 1997, the Magic learned a lesson on Thursday night that might come in particularly handy in late April against the Heat.
The Magic simply can’t allow Miami to hang around until late in the game where they are susceptible to the heroics of Miami superstar Dwyane Wade.
Wade led the Heat back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter Thursday night at American Airlines Arena, but missed at the buzzer in regulation. Given a reprieve, the Magic did what good teams do and smothered Miami in the overtime session and got another clutch 3-point dagger from Rashard Lewis in a 108-102 defeat of the hated Heat.
With the Magic (49-21) firmly entrenched in second in the East and the Heat (35-34) bunched among teams at seventh, a Sunshine State showdown in the first round of the playoffs could very well become a reality next month. The win allowed the Magic to split the season series with the Heat, something that could benefit Orlando’s psyche should a rematch come in the playoffs.
``It really mattered to us to tie up the series against them because there’s a good chance that we could see Miami in the playoffs and we don’t want to lose the season record to any team,’’ said Orlando’s Matt Barnes, who played one of his best games with 13 points, nine rebounds and solid defense on Wade. ``We rallied as a team late in the game, made shots and got stops when we needed them.’’
Once up 88-76 in the fourth quarter and seemingly sailing along, Orlando hit a snag offensively and Miami scored 12 consecutive points to tie the game. From there, the game turned into an instant classic with the lead changing hands three times and tied twice more.
Jameer Nelson had two big baskets, a free throw and a surprising offensive rebound down the stretch to steady the Magic. Nelson finished with 15 points, none bigger than the jumper he hit over Mario Chalmers with 15 seconds to play to tie the game up.
``We let them stay close and then Wade started making shots and getting all the calls and we can’t let that happen if we see them in the playoffs,’’ Nelson said. ``But I think the way we responded showed that we know how to play with poise and composure when we need it. Every game now is a test for us, and I think we passed this test.’’
Vince Carter led the Magic with 27 points and six assists. He had a big three-point play on a drive to the rim and later a free throw in the overtime period to help the Magic build a cushion. Carter made nine of 21 shots, but carried an Orlando offense that was missing Howard (10 points, 11 rebounds and a 15th technical foul) most of the night.
Lewis had his second big game in as many nights, scoring 24 points and hitting four 3-pointers. His mini-slump from last week is a thing of the past and he again stepped up and buried the Heat with the sealing 3-pointer with 28 seconds to play.
Wade had 36 points, but he made just 12 of 26 shots against the defense Barnes and J.J. Redick. Barnes had to play 40 minutes on a badly sprained big toe and Redick was pressed into guarding Wade because of the ankle injury to Mickael Pietrus.
Said Lewis: ``You just can’t sleep on the Heat. We know these guys are dangerous and would be dangerous if we faced them in the playoffs.’’
The Magic are now off until Monday when they face the 76ers in Philadelphia. Orlando is 2-0 against the Sixers, winning in a rout in the first game of the season and rolling to a 126-105 victory two weeks ago in Philly. The 126 points were the most for the Magic this season.
Here’s a look back at the good, the bad and the ugly from Thursday’s wild win:
THE GOOD
---- The 3-pointer from the left corner to cinch the game in overtime actually was a play drawn up by Carter and Lewis. Lewis missed two wide-opne threes in regulation that might have locked up the game for the Magic, but he misfired both times.
But Carter went back to Lewis for the dagger that sealed it when Michael Beasley left him to sag inside.
``I believe in Rashard because he’s proven through the years that he can make shots,’’ Carter said. ``I could care less about his supposed shooting slump from last week. I told Rashard if I drive and they leave you I’m going to pass you the darn ball and you had better shoot it.’’
---- For a second consecutive night, Barnes stuffed the stat sheet with contributions in almost every category. With Howard hampered by foul trouble, Barnes even carried the Magic for long stretches with his gritty offensive game.
He buried corner 3-pointers when left open and aggressively attacked the rim when left open. He made five of eight shots, got to the free throw line four times, snagged three offensive rebounds and added three assists.
Said Barnes: ``I’m just trying to bring us energy every night. I know I’m not getting many plays called for me, but I’m doing a good job of getting putbacks and running the floor. My teammates are rewarding me when I hustle.’’
---- J.J. Redick and Marcin Gortat have practiced together on the Magic’s second unit for the past three seasons and have developed quite a nice chemistry. The two often look for each other on plays and have set each other for several baskets.
Their most spectacular play of the season came in the second quarter. Taking the ball out near midcourt, Redick caught the eye of Gortat, who was spinning off a screen. Redick threw a perfect lob pass and Gortat dunked the ball to briefly put the Magic up by five points.
THE BAD
---- Heat big men Michael Beasley and Jermaine O’Neal were lost most of the night, giving Wade a case for nonsupport if he wanted it.
Beasley plays more like a small forward than a power forward and the Magic were content with letting him jack up long jumpers from the perimeter. He made just three of 11 shots for the night and missed both of his 3-point tries.
O’Neal, who is but a shadow of the former player he used to be, wasn’t much better. He missed nine of 13 shots, scored just 14 points and couldn’t take advantage of foul trouble to Howard and Gortat (eight points, two rebounds).
---- Fortunately for the playoff-bound Orlando Magic there are no back-to-backs in the postseason.
Orlando’s one chink in the armor this season has been playing on the second night of back-to-back sets. Improving that phase of their game has been a point of emphasis of coach Stan Van Gundy’s down the stretch.
Orlando died down the stretch on Sunday in a loss to Charlotte, the second game of a back-to-back. But this time Orlando thrived late in regulation and in overtime.
The Magic are 8-8 on the season in the second game of back-to-backs.
THE UGLY
---- For the fourth time in the past five games, Howard saw his playing time severely limited by foul trouble. He picked up a foul early in the game on a Wade drive and a second late in the first period while trying to block a Joel Anthony dunk.
A third foul – this time when he shoved Jermaine O’Neal while trying to get post position -- sent Howard to the bench for the final 5 minutes of the half.
And when Howard picked up a fourth foul 12 seconds into the second half, the Magic big man walked off the floor with his palms in the air and muttered, ``Man, they just won’t let me play.’’
---- Howard picked up his 15th technical foul of the season with 3:09 remaining in overtime when he slammed the ball to the floor following a disputed foul call. Slammed might be stretching it, but Howard had to know he couldn’t get away with bouncing the ball the way he did in that tight of a situation of the game.
``He slammed the ball down, but it happened about six times in the game,’’ Van Gundy said. ``There was no complaint to an official. Players do it when they get frustrated. He got one last week that should have been a delay (of game warning). They are just looking to give him a technical. It’s just guys wanting to give techs.’’
The next technical foul that Howard picks up will result in a NBA-mandated one-game suspension without pay. Players are automatically suspended a game following their 16th technical foul and suspended additional games on every other one after 16.
Fortunately for Howard, the slate is wiped clean during the playoffs.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. E-mail John at jd41898@aol.com.
By John DentonMarch 18, 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.
MIAMI – Should the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat intersect in the playoffs again for the first time since 1997, the Magic learned a lesson on Thursday night that might come in particularly handy in late April against the Heat.
The Magic simply can’t allow Miami to hang around until late in the game where they are susceptible to the heroics of Miami superstar Dwyane Wade.
Wade led the Heat back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter Thursday night at American Airlines Arena, but missed at the buzzer in regulation. Given a reprieve, the Magic did what good teams do and smothered Miami in the overtime session and got another clutch 3-point dagger from Rashard Lewis in a 108-102 defeat of the hated Heat.
With the Magic (49-21) firmly entrenched in second in the East and the Heat (35-34) bunched among teams at seventh, a Sunshine State showdown in the first round of the playoffs could very well become a reality next month. The win allowed the Magic to split the season series with the Heat, something that could benefit Orlando’s psyche should a rematch come in the playoffs.
``It really mattered to us to tie up the series against them because there’s a good chance that we could see Miami in the playoffs and we don’t want to lose the season record to any team,’’ said Orlando’s Matt Barnes, who played one of his best games with 13 points, nine rebounds and solid defense on Wade. ``We rallied as a team late in the game, made shots and got stops when we needed them.’’
Once up 88-76 in the fourth quarter and seemingly sailing along, Orlando hit a snag offensively and Miami scored 12 consecutive points to tie the game. From there, the game turned into an instant classic with the lead changing hands three times and tied twice more.
Jameer Nelson had two big baskets, a free throw and a surprising offensive rebound down the stretch to steady the Magic. Nelson finished with 15 points, none bigger than the jumper he hit over Mario Chalmers with 15 seconds to play to tie the game up.
``We let them stay close and then Wade started making shots and getting all the calls and we can’t let that happen if we see them in the playoffs,’’ Nelson said. ``But I think the way we responded showed that we know how to play with poise and composure when we need it. Every game now is a test for us, and I think we passed this test.’’
Vince Carter led the Magic with 27 points and six assists. He had a big three-point play on a drive to the rim and later a free throw in the overtime period to help the Magic build a cushion. Carter made nine of 21 shots, but carried an Orlando offense that was missing Howard (10 points, 11 rebounds and a 15th technical foul) most of the night.
Lewis had his second big game in as many nights, scoring 24 points and hitting four 3-pointers. His mini-slump from last week is a thing of the past and he again stepped up and buried the Heat with the sealing 3-pointer with 28 seconds to play.
Wade had 36 points, but he made just 12 of 26 shots against the defense Barnes and J.J. Redick. Barnes had to play 40 minutes on a badly sprained big toe and Redick was pressed into guarding Wade because of the ankle injury to Mickael Pietrus.
Said Lewis: ``You just can’t sleep on the Heat. We know these guys are dangerous and would be dangerous if we faced them in the playoffs.’’
The Magic are now off until Monday when they face the 76ers in Philadelphia. Orlando is 2-0 against the Sixers, winning in a rout in the first game of the season and rolling to a 126-105 victory two weeks ago in Philly. The 126 points were the most for the Magic this season.
Here’s a look back at the good, the bad and the ugly from Thursday’s wild win:
THE GOOD
---- The 3-pointer from the left corner to cinch the game in overtime actually was a play drawn up by Carter and Lewis. Lewis missed two wide-opne threes in regulation that might have locked up the game for the Magic, but he misfired both times.
But Carter went back to Lewis for the dagger that sealed it when Michael Beasley left him to sag inside.
``I believe in Rashard because he’s proven through the years that he can make shots,’’ Carter said. ``I could care less about his supposed shooting slump from last week. I told Rashard if I drive and they leave you I’m going to pass you the darn ball and you had better shoot it.’’
---- For a second consecutive night, Barnes stuffed the stat sheet with contributions in almost every category. With Howard hampered by foul trouble, Barnes even carried the Magic for long stretches with his gritty offensive game.
He buried corner 3-pointers when left open and aggressively attacked the rim when left open. He made five of eight shots, got to the free throw line four times, snagged three offensive rebounds and added three assists.
Said Barnes: ``I’m just trying to bring us energy every night. I know I’m not getting many plays called for me, but I’m doing a good job of getting putbacks and running the floor. My teammates are rewarding me when I hustle.’’
---- J.J. Redick and Marcin Gortat have practiced together on the Magic’s second unit for the past three seasons and have developed quite a nice chemistry. The two often look for each other on plays and have set each other for several baskets.
Their most spectacular play of the season came in the second quarter. Taking the ball out near midcourt, Redick caught the eye of Gortat, who was spinning off a screen. Redick threw a perfect lob pass and Gortat dunked the ball to briefly put the Magic up by five points.
THE BAD
---- Heat big men Michael Beasley and Jermaine O’Neal were lost most of the night, giving Wade a case for nonsupport if he wanted it.
Beasley plays more like a small forward than a power forward and the Magic were content with letting him jack up long jumpers from the perimeter. He made just three of 11 shots for the night and missed both of his 3-point tries.
O’Neal, who is but a shadow of the former player he used to be, wasn’t much better. He missed nine of 13 shots, scored just 14 points and couldn’t take advantage of foul trouble to Howard and Gortat (eight points, two rebounds).
---- Fortunately for the playoff-bound Orlando Magic there are no back-to-backs in the postseason.
Orlando’s one chink in the armor this season has been playing on the second night of back-to-back sets. Improving that phase of their game has been a point of emphasis of coach Stan Van Gundy’s down the stretch.
Orlando died down the stretch on Sunday in a loss to Charlotte, the second game of a back-to-back. But this time Orlando thrived late in regulation and in overtime.
The Magic are 8-8 on the season in the second game of back-to-backs.
THE UGLY
---- For the fourth time in the past five games, Howard saw his playing time severely limited by foul trouble. He picked up a foul early in the game on a Wade drive and a second late in the first period while trying to block a Joel Anthony dunk.
A third foul – this time when he shoved Jermaine O’Neal while trying to get post position -- sent Howard to the bench for the final 5 minutes of the half.
And when Howard picked up a fourth foul 12 seconds into the second half, the Magic big man walked off the floor with his palms in the air and muttered, ``Man, they just won’t let me play.’’
---- Howard picked up his 15th technical foul of the season with 3:09 remaining in overtime when he slammed the ball to the floor following a disputed foul call. Slammed might be stretching it, but Howard had to know he couldn’t get away with bouncing the ball the way he did in that tight of a situation of the game.
``He slammed the ball down, but it happened about six times in the game,’’ Van Gundy said. ``There was no complaint to an official. Players do it when they get frustrated. He got one last week that should have been a delay (of game warning). They are just looking to give him a technical. It’s just guys wanting to give techs.’’
The next technical foul that Howard picks up will result in a NBA-mandated one-game suspension without pay. Players are automatically suspended a game following their 16th technical foul and suspended additional games on every other one after 16.
Fortunately for Howard, the slate is wiped clean during the playoffs.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. E-mail John at jd41898@aol.com.
