GAMETIME: Orlando Magic 123, Charlotte Bobcats 99
October 10, 2007 - Amway Arena
Box Score |
Play-By-Play |
Postgame Quotes |
Recap |
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By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com
RECAP
The Orlando Magic showed up tonight significantly increasing their energy and intensity as they pounded the visiting Charlotte Bobcats 123-99. Eight Magic players (Adonal Foyle, Dwight Howard, J.J. Redick, Trevor Ariza, Hedo Turkoglu, Keith Bogans, Carlos Arroyo, and Pat Garrity) scored in double figures as the team shot a tremendous 64 percent from the field.
Turkoglu and Redick led the scoring parade with 20 and 17 points respectively. Jameer Nelson just missed being the ninth guy to score in double figures by one point but led the Magic attack dishing out 12 assists while only committing two turnovers. The Bobcats were led by Gerald Wallace who had 19 points.
The inside/outside game of the Magic was on display as they outscored the Bobcats 60-32 in the paint and 27-12 from beyond the arc.
Rashard Lewis left the game early for the second game in a row rolling his right ankle at the end of the first quarter. The x-rays came back negative and Lewis' is listed day-to-day. Lewis played just eight minutes scoring two points.
The Magic have no time to celebrate as they gear up for the Miami Heat who come to Amway Arena on Friday.
FOURTH QUARTER
Nelson, Redick, Ariza, Garrity, and Foyle begin the quarter. Foyle is fed inside for a three-point play giving him 14 points and 7 rebounds. If he can continue this productive play all season, it will be a major help to the Magic's thin front line. Okafor scores and Nelson answers quickly back giving the Magic a 21 point lead at 97-76.
Nelson goes up over Okafor for two. The Magic have seven players in double figures with eight minutes remaining. Pat Garrity joins the scoring parade with a long two increasing Orlando's lead to 101-82.
Marcin "The Warlock" Gortat enters the game for the Magic. Let's see if he can be the 11 Magic player to score tonight. Morrison hits back-to-back buckets. Nelson with a sweet behind the back pass to an open Pat Garrity who nails a three with just under five minutes to go. Orlando calls a timeout still leading big 106-90.
Kevin Kruger makes his first appearance of the preseason. Gortat takes the ball to the basket strong drawing a foul from Morrison. Gortat splits the pair. The Magic are 9-of-11 tonight, a big improvement from Monday's poor shooting. The Magic have controlled the paint tonight outscoring the Bobcats thus far 52-32. Redick strokes another three and Garrity gets a transition basket giving the Magic eight players in double figures. With 3:17 left in the game, the Magic lead 113-90.
Hoping to get into the Magic scoring parade, Torrell Martin enters the game for the first time tonight. Gabe Muoneke drills a three giving him...three points and the hardest name to say. Gortat throws down a one handed power dunk on two Bobcat defenders and Torrell Martin scores. Kruger is the only Magic player that hasn't scored this evening. Let's give him a touch guys. Garrity hits a pair of free-throws and the Magic lead 123-97. The game ends and the Magic win impressively 123-99.
Final Score: Orlando Magic 123, Charlotte Bobcats 99
THIRD QUARTER
The Magic start the second half with Arroyo, Bogans, Turkoglu, Howard and Foyle. The Bobcats start the same lineup they started the game with. Ryan Hollins shows his athletic ability scoring the first two points of the half dunking on Dwight Howard. Despite the fast pace first half, the Magic took care of the ball turning it over only six times. The Bobcats start the half on a 6-0 run causing Van Gundy to call a timeout with the Magic ahead 66-53.
Each team comes out of the timeout with the same lineups as Turkoglu ends the Bobcat run with a 15 foot jump shot. Hollins is fouled by Foyle and splits a pair of free-throws. Turkoglu looking for his shot early in the second half hits a long two pointer fading away into the Bobcat bench. Okafor goes to the line and hits two free-throws cutting the Magic lead to 70-56. Gerald Wallace gets fouled cutting to the hoop but misses a pair. That is the Magic's fourth foul already. Let's hope tonight's foul trouble doesn't come back to hurt the Magic as it did Monday.
Bogans makes a layup breaking Turkoglu's six point steak giving the Magic a 74-56 lead. Turkoglu scores yet again. He is shooting 4-for-4 this half. He leads the Magic with 14 points for the game. Okafor slams home a nice dish from Wallace, but Howard answers quickly giving the Magic a 78-63 lead with just under five minutes remaining in the third.
The Magic cause a turnover and find Bogans in the corner for a three-pointer. They are 7-of-14 tonight from beyond the arc. Turkoglu has really stepped up this half with Rashard Lewis out of the game scoring again to give the Magic a comfortable 83-64 lead. They turn up the defense once again forcing a shot clock violation. Bogans makes two turnovers of consecutive trips down the floor, but Van Gundy has to be happy with the pace of the game.
Hedo continues to light it up giving the Magic a 87-70 lead with under 30 seconds left in the quarter. They hold for the last shot and Hedo strokes another two giving him 14 for the quarter and giving the Magic an 89-70 lead going into the fourth.
End of Third Quarter: Orlando Magic 89, Charlotte Bobcats 70
SECOND QUARTER
The Magic open the second with Bogans, Arroyo, Ariza, Turkoglu, and Foyle. Foyle hits a pair of free throws and cleans up a miss. Okafor quickly answers with a turn around bank shot cutting the Magic lead to 10 at 43-33. Van Gundy ripped his team about not running up and down the floor Monday night, and I think they got the hint as we see a much more active Magic squad tonight. Okafor goal tends a Turkoglu shot. This just in, Rashard Lewis will not return with a right ankle sprain, x-rays are negative but he will not return tonight.
Howard goes to work against Okafor giving the Magic a 47-37 advantage. Ariza gets an alley-oop in transition from Nelson and gets another breakaway dunk courtesy of Jameer causing the Bobcats to call a timeout. The Magic lead 51-37 in a track meet thus far.
After every Magic rebound or turnover you can really see the guys getting out and running the floor looking for easy transition baskets. Redick has impressed me so far with his defense on Jason Richardson causing a Bobcat turnover. Ariza continues his good night driving the lane giving him 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting, an improvement from his 3-for-13 shooting night on Monday. Good ball movement by the Magic as Ariza knocks down another jumper giving the Magic a 55-39 lead with just under five left in the half.
Pat Garrity enters into the game for the first time this preseason sporting the Patrick Ewing knee pads. Howard swats a Felton runner into the third row. Redick turns the ball over leading to a dunk by Gerald Wallace. Redick makes up for it on the next possession by hitting his fourth three of the ballgame giving the Magic a 58-45 advantage.
The Magic play steller defense forcing Wallace to shoot an off balance three-pointer with the shot clock winding down leading to a fast-break layup by Carlos Arroyo. The Bobcats take a timeout with 2:13 left and the Magic leading 62-46.
The Magic continue their sufficating defense forcing another Bobcat turnover. They have also done it on the offensive ending shooting 64 percent from the field. Howard gets double-teamed and finds an open Arroyo who hits the jumper. Richardson is fouled at the other end and splits the pair. The Magic control the ball with 30 seconds left leading 64-47. They take the shot clock down feeding Howard in the post for two. They get a stop at the other end and lead at the half 66-47.
Halftime: Orlando Magic 66, Charlotte Bobcats 47
FIRST QUARTER
Welcome back to Amway Arena for the second time in three days for the Magic's preseason matchup against the Charlotte Bobcats. As stated below the Magic will start with Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, and Adonal Foyle. The Bobcats will counter with Raymond Felton, Jason Richardson, Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, and Ryan Hollins.
The Magic control the tip and J.J. shots quickly but misses. Okafor scores the first bucket of the game. Lewis hits his first shot of the game nailing a three-pointer. Okafor takes advantage of Adonal Foyle again in the post scoring to put the Bobcats up 4-2. Howard with a monster dunk as we see the two young post stars Howard and Okafor showcasing their skills early. Lewis picks up his first foul sending Gerald Wallace to the line where he sinks both. J.J. getting his first defensive test of the preseason as he squares up against Jason Richardson.
There are a lot of good matchups on the floor, Lewis vs. Wallace, and point guards Raymond Felton vs. Jameer Nelson. Speaking of Nelson, Jameer nails a three making the score 10-7 Bobcats. J.J. Redick strokes a three from the corner tieing the ballgame. The threes are raining tonight as the Bobcats' Richardson hits one from downtown and J.J. answers back with his second three of the game once again tieing the game at 13. The Magic call a timeout with Charlotte leading 15-13 with 5:56 left in the first.
Turkoglu and Ariza come into the game for Rashard and Adonal as the Magic go with their small lineup. The Magic seem to looking for the three tonight as Hedo and J.J. attempt back to back long balls to no avail. J.J. playing good defense on Richardson, but Richardson jab steps and makes a step back three. J.J. strokes a three this time and gets a transition bucket giving the Magic a 22-20 lead. Redick has half of the Magic's points with 3 minutes remaining in the quarter.
Bogans, Lewis, Arroyo, and Foyle enter the game. Foyle scores immediately in the post. Each team shooting very well from the field to start, both shooting 50 percent. The Bobcats come out with what looks like half of Montley Crue, Adam Morrison and Walter Herrmann sporting the long hair and head bands. Foyle cleans up a Turkoglu miss, Morrison comes and answers but Foyle the scoring machine answers his make. Bogans hits yet another three for the Magic making the lead 33-25. The Magic are shooting 5-of-9 from beyond the arc to start the game.
Bad news as Lewis leaves the game toward the locker room. Bogans hits a pair of free-throws with 4.8 left. Ariza steals the Bobcat inbound for an easy two handed slam ending the first quarter with the Magic leading 39-27.
First Quarter: Orlando Magic 39, Charlotte Bobcats 27
SHOOTAROUND
Coach Van Gundy and the Magic entered Amway Arena for shootaround today looking to improve upon their performance on Monday. The team's main focus is not necessarily on execution but mainly on intensity and effort.
"I am not worried about the confusion at this point," stated Van Gundy. "I am not worried about the mistakes at this point, but I do want to make sure we see four things tonight relating to our effort and intensity."
Van Gundy states those four areas as:
1. Doing a much better job of getting back on defense.
2. Seeing more intensity at the defensive end.
3. Making sure the pace of the game is faster.
4. Increasing the energy at the offensive end.
Van Gundy was hard on the players after the game but was more disappointed in their lack of effort more than anything.
"You are fighting a battle of changing habits," said Van Gundy. "In fairness you are doing it in the midst of some confusion, and in order to run you have to play without a great deal of thought.
Van Gundy continued, "You just have to get out and run and that is hard when you have guys playing in a system, or a position they haven't played in before."
The new system will take time to develop and Van Gundy is using the preseason as a test thinking long-term more than anything.
"I told Otis, I know we would look a lot better tonight if I were to call every play getting everyone into their spots," Van Gundy stated, "but I don't think that is the long-term answer for us."
Van Gundy added, "It is not about coming out here and looking good right out of the gates in preseason. It is about building for the long run and the process will never stop but we want to continue to improve throughout the entire season."
Refining strong points is not a focus of the team and they will use the preseason as an opportunity to experiment in different areas.
The team will experiment tonight with a different starting lineup than Monday. The starting five includes Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, and Adonal Foyle.
Van Gundy looks to feature this lineup early and then later on in the first quarter play the small lineup with Hedo or Rashard at power forward.
"There is give and take with every lineup, but the reason I am starting this one," said Van Gundy, "is because I don't think that they have a lot of big guys healthy and I am afraid if I don't try this lineup early in the game that I may not get a chance to when they decide to go small."
With the tall lineup the Magic will have great interior defense while rebounding the ball well allowing increased possessions for the point guards and wing players to get out on the break. In the half court offense it may be tougher because of the spacing on the floor having two low post players working each block. However, the advantages with this lineup are that Dwight doesn't necessary have to guard the opponent's primary post allowing him to help on defense and stay out of foul trouble.
The Magic have their game plan ready for tonight as they look to come out refocused, with more energy and intensity.
PREGAME
The Magic host their second preseason game in three days as Southeast Division foe the Charlotte Bobcats come into town. Orlando looks to improve upon a 94-93 loss handed to them by the Atlanta Hawks Monday night.
Despite the loss, Dwight Howard had a very impressive night scoring 31 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and blocking four shots.
Howard looks to have another big night as he squares off against Charlotte's Emeka Okafor.
Dwight has been quoted as stating Okafor as the player which Howard looks forward to playing the most.
Howard and Okafor's rivalry began back in 2004 when Howard was drafted with the first overall pick and Okafor was drafted second overall. Dwight states this as the reason for their rivarly.
"It's just because we were picked one and two in the draft."
The two up-and-coming post players were drafted by two teams in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division meaning they would go head-to-head for at least four games a year.
In their rookie seasons, Howard and Okafor were both named to the NBA's All-Rookie Team and Okafor was awarded NBA Rookie of the Year. Okafor averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds whereas Howard averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds.
As their careers have progressed, Howard has become a bigger star in the NBA. Howard has been named to an All-Star Game, led his team to the playoffs, and starts at Center for Team USA. For his NBA career Dwight has played in every game for the past three seasons averaging 15.1 points and 11.6 rebounds.
Okafor has been plagued with injuries in his three seasons and has averaged 14.5 points and 10.9 rebounds over that span.
The players are similiar in their physical attributes with Howard standing at 6'10, 250 pounds, and Okafor standing 6'10, 257 pounds.
Although Howard vs. Okafor is the marque matchup, the Magic and the Bobcats feature other intriguing matchups:
Former NCAA rivals J.J. Redick and Adam Morrison each have an NBA season under their belts as they look to improve in their sophomore seasons.
Newly aquired, high profile free-agents Rashard Lewis and Jason Richardson, face each other for the first time with their new teams.
MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder
Keyon Dooling – Day to Day, groin
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Oct. 10 vs. Charlotte (preseason): Orlando is 6-6 all-time vs. Charlotte (5-1 at home, 1-5 on the road), including 2-2 last season…Orlando is 1-0 all-time vs. Charlotte during preseason action...The Bobcats recorded their first win in franchise history over the Magic on Nov. 6, 2004 (111-100)...Keith Bogans played in 113 career games for the Bobcats from 2004-06…J.J. Redick played collegiately at Duke University…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Charlotte, see p. 237 of the media guide.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. BOBCATS: 28 pts., Grant Hill (@ Orlando, 3-24-05)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 32 pts., Sean May (@ Charlotte, 12-14-06)
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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |  |
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| BOBCATS | 27 | 20 | 23 | 29 | 99 | ||
| MAGIC | 39 | 27 | 23 | 34 | 123 |
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Tipoff: 7:00 PM ET TV: Not televised Radio: WDBO AM 580 | Spanish Radio: AM 1030 WONQ Theme: Hispanic Awareness Night Giveaway: Magnetic Schedule 
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By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com
RECAP
The Orlando Magic showed up tonight significantly increasing their energy and intensity as they pounded the visiting Charlotte Bobcats 123-99. Eight Magic players (Adonal Foyle, Dwight Howard, J.J. Redick, Trevor Ariza, Hedo Turkoglu, Keith Bogans, Carlos Arroyo, and Pat Garrity) scored in double figures as the team shot a tremendous 64 percent from the field.
Turkoglu and Redick led the scoring parade with 20 and 17 points respectively. Jameer Nelson just missed being the ninth guy to score in double figures by one point but led the Magic attack dishing out 12 assists while only committing two turnovers. The Bobcats were led by Gerald Wallace who had 19 points.
The inside/outside game of the Magic was on display as they outscored the Bobcats 60-32 in the paint and 27-12 from beyond the arc.
Rashard Lewis left the game early for the second game in a row rolling his right ankle at the end of the first quarter. The x-rays came back negative and Lewis' is listed day-to-day. Lewis played just eight minutes scoring two points.
The Magic have no time to celebrate as they gear up for the Miami Heat who come to Amway Arena on Friday.
FOURTH QUARTER
Nelson, Redick, Ariza, Garrity, and Foyle begin the quarter. Foyle is fed inside for a three-point play giving him 14 points and 7 rebounds. If he can continue this productive play all season, it will be a major help to the Magic's thin front line. Okafor scores and Nelson answers quickly back giving the Magic a 21 point lead at 97-76.
Nelson goes up over Okafor for two. The Magic have seven players in double figures with eight minutes remaining. Pat Garrity joins the scoring parade with a long two increasing Orlando's lead to 101-82.
Marcin "The Warlock" Gortat enters the game for the Magic. Let's see if he can be the 11 Magic player to score tonight. Morrison hits back-to-back buckets. Nelson with a sweet behind the back pass to an open Pat Garrity who nails a three with just under five minutes to go. Orlando calls a timeout still leading big 106-90.
Kevin Kruger makes his first appearance of the preseason. Gortat takes the ball to the basket strong drawing a foul from Morrison. Gortat splits the pair. The Magic are 9-of-11 tonight, a big improvement from Monday's poor shooting. The Magic have controlled the paint tonight outscoring the Bobcats thus far 52-32. Redick strokes another three and Garrity gets a transition basket giving the Magic eight players in double figures. With 3:17 left in the game, the Magic lead 113-90.
Hoping to get into the Magic scoring parade, Torrell Martin enters the game for the first time tonight. Gabe Muoneke drills a three giving him...three points and the hardest name to say. Gortat throws down a one handed power dunk on two Bobcat defenders and Torrell Martin scores. Kruger is the only Magic player that hasn't scored this evening. Let's give him a touch guys. Garrity hits a pair of free-throws and the Magic lead 123-97. The game ends and the Magic win impressively 123-99.
Final Score: Orlando Magic 123, Charlotte Bobcats 99
THIRD QUARTER
The Magic start the second half with Arroyo, Bogans, Turkoglu, Howard and Foyle. The Bobcats start the same lineup they started the game with. Ryan Hollins shows his athletic ability scoring the first two points of the half dunking on Dwight Howard. Despite the fast pace first half, the Magic took care of the ball turning it over only six times. The Bobcats start the half on a 6-0 run causing Van Gundy to call a timeout with the Magic ahead 66-53.
Each team comes out of the timeout with the same lineups as Turkoglu ends the Bobcat run with a 15 foot jump shot. Hollins is fouled by Foyle and splits a pair of free-throws. Turkoglu looking for his shot early in the second half hits a long two pointer fading away into the Bobcat bench. Okafor goes to the line and hits two free-throws cutting the Magic lead to 70-56. Gerald Wallace gets fouled cutting to the hoop but misses a pair. That is the Magic's fourth foul already. Let's hope tonight's foul trouble doesn't come back to hurt the Magic as it did Monday.
Bogans makes a layup breaking Turkoglu's six point steak giving the Magic a 74-56 lead. Turkoglu scores yet again. He is shooting 4-for-4 this half. He leads the Magic with 14 points for the game. Okafor slams home a nice dish from Wallace, but Howard answers quickly giving the Magic a 78-63 lead with just under five minutes remaining in the third.
The Magic cause a turnover and find Bogans in the corner for a three-pointer. They are 7-of-14 tonight from beyond the arc. Turkoglu has really stepped up this half with Rashard Lewis out of the game scoring again to give the Magic a comfortable 83-64 lead. They turn up the defense once again forcing a shot clock violation. Bogans makes two turnovers of consecutive trips down the floor, but Van Gundy has to be happy with the pace of the game.
Hedo continues to light it up giving the Magic a 87-70 lead with under 30 seconds left in the quarter. They hold for the last shot and Hedo strokes another two giving him 14 for the quarter and giving the Magic an 89-70 lead going into the fourth.
End of Third Quarter: Orlando Magic 89, Charlotte Bobcats 70
SECOND QUARTER
The Magic open the second with Bogans, Arroyo, Ariza, Turkoglu, and Foyle. Foyle hits a pair of free throws and cleans up a miss. Okafor quickly answers with a turn around bank shot cutting the Magic lead to 10 at 43-33. Van Gundy ripped his team about not running up and down the floor Monday night, and I think they got the hint as we see a much more active Magic squad tonight. Okafor goal tends a Turkoglu shot. This just in, Rashard Lewis will not return with a right ankle sprain, x-rays are negative but he will not return tonight.
Howard goes to work against Okafor giving the Magic a 47-37 advantage. Ariza gets an alley-oop in transition from Nelson and gets another breakaway dunk courtesy of Jameer causing the Bobcats to call a timeout. The Magic lead 51-37 in a track meet thus far.
After every Magic rebound or turnover you can really see the guys getting out and running the floor looking for easy transition baskets. Redick has impressed me so far with his defense on Jason Richardson causing a Bobcat turnover. Ariza continues his good night driving the lane giving him 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting, an improvement from his 3-for-13 shooting night on Monday. Good ball movement by the Magic as Ariza knocks down another jumper giving the Magic a 55-39 lead with just under five left in the half.
Pat Garrity enters into the game for the first time this preseason sporting the Patrick Ewing knee pads. Howard swats a Felton runner into the third row. Redick turns the ball over leading to a dunk by Gerald Wallace. Redick makes up for it on the next possession by hitting his fourth three of the ballgame giving the Magic a 58-45 advantage.
The Magic play steller defense forcing Wallace to shoot an off balance three-pointer with the shot clock winding down leading to a fast-break layup by Carlos Arroyo. The Bobcats take a timeout with 2:13 left and the Magic leading 62-46.
The Magic continue their sufficating defense forcing another Bobcat turnover. They have also done it on the offensive ending shooting 64 percent from the field. Howard gets double-teamed and finds an open Arroyo who hits the jumper. Richardson is fouled at the other end and splits the pair. The Magic control the ball with 30 seconds left leading 64-47. They take the shot clock down feeding Howard in the post for two. They get a stop at the other end and lead at the half 66-47.
Halftime: Orlando Magic 66, Charlotte Bobcats 47
FIRST QUARTER
Welcome back to Amway Arena for the second time in three days for the Magic's preseason matchup against the Charlotte Bobcats. As stated below the Magic will start with Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, and Adonal Foyle. The Bobcats will counter with Raymond Felton, Jason Richardson, Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, and Ryan Hollins.
The Magic control the tip and J.J. shots quickly but misses. Okafor scores the first bucket of the game. Lewis hits his first shot of the game nailing a three-pointer. Okafor takes advantage of Adonal Foyle again in the post scoring to put the Bobcats up 4-2. Howard with a monster dunk as we see the two young post stars Howard and Okafor showcasing their skills early. Lewis picks up his first foul sending Gerald Wallace to the line where he sinks both. J.J. getting his first defensive test of the preseason as he squares up against Jason Richardson.
There are a lot of good matchups on the floor, Lewis vs. Wallace, and point guards Raymond Felton vs. Jameer Nelson. Speaking of Nelson, Jameer nails a three making the score 10-7 Bobcats. J.J. Redick strokes a three from the corner tieing the ballgame. The threes are raining tonight as the Bobcats' Richardson hits one from downtown and J.J. answers back with his second three of the game once again tieing the game at 13. The Magic call a timeout with Charlotte leading 15-13 with 5:56 left in the first.
Turkoglu and Ariza come into the game for Rashard and Adonal as the Magic go with their small lineup. The Magic seem to looking for the three tonight as Hedo and J.J. attempt back to back long balls to no avail. J.J. playing good defense on Richardson, but Richardson jab steps and makes a step back three. J.J. strokes a three this time and gets a transition bucket giving the Magic a 22-20 lead. Redick has half of the Magic's points with 3 minutes remaining in the quarter.
Bogans, Lewis, Arroyo, and Foyle enter the game. Foyle scores immediately in the post. Each team shooting very well from the field to start, both shooting 50 percent. The Bobcats come out with what looks like half of Montley Crue, Adam Morrison and Walter Herrmann sporting the long hair and head bands. Foyle cleans up a Turkoglu miss, Morrison comes and answers but Foyle the scoring machine answers his make. Bogans hits yet another three for the Magic making the lead 33-25. The Magic are shooting 5-of-9 from beyond the arc to start the game.
Bad news as Lewis leaves the game toward the locker room. Bogans hits a pair of free-throws with 4.8 left. Ariza steals the Bobcat inbound for an easy two handed slam ending the first quarter with the Magic leading 39-27.
First Quarter: Orlando Magic 39, Charlotte Bobcats 27
SHOOTAROUND
Coach Van Gundy and the Magic entered Amway Arena for shootaround today looking to improve upon their performance on Monday. The team's main focus is not necessarily on execution but mainly on intensity and effort.
"I am not worried about the confusion at this point," stated Van Gundy. "I am not worried about the mistakes at this point, but I do want to make sure we see four things tonight relating to our effort and intensity."
Van Gundy states those four areas as:
1. Doing a much better job of getting back on defense.
2. Seeing more intensity at the defensive end.
3. Making sure the pace of the game is faster.
4. Increasing the energy at the offensive end.
Van Gundy was hard on the players after the game but was more disappointed in their lack of effort more than anything.
"You are fighting a battle of changing habits," said Van Gundy. "In fairness you are doing it in the midst of some confusion, and in order to run you have to play without a great deal of thought.
Van Gundy continued, "You just have to get out and run and that is hard when you have guys playing in a system, or a position they haven't played in before."
The new system will take time to develop and Van Gundy is using the preseason as a test thinking long-term more than anything.
"I told Otis, I know we would look a lot better tonight if I were to call every play getting everyone into their spots," Van Gundy stated, "but I don't think that is the long-term answer for us."
Van Gundy added, "It is not about coming out here and looking good right out of the gates in preseason. It is about building for the long run and the process will never stop but we want to continue to improve throughout the entire season."
Refining strong points is not a focus of the team and they will use the preseason as an opportunity to experiment in different areas.
The team will experiment tonight with a different starting lineup than Monday. The starting five includes Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, and Adonal Foyle.
Van Gundy looks to feature this lineup early and then later on in the first quarter play the small lineup with Hedo or Rashard at power forward.
"There is give and take with every lineup, but the reason I am starting this one," said Van Gundy, "is because I don't think that they have a lot of big guys healthy and I am afraid if I don't try this lineup early in the game that I may not get a chance to when they decide to go small."
With the tall lineup the Magic will have great interior defense while rebounding the ball well allowing increased possessions for the point guards and wing players to get out on the break. In the half court offense it may be tougher because of the spacing on the floor having two low post players working each block. However, the advantages with this lineup are that Dwight doesn't necessary have to guard the opponent's primary post allowing him to help on defense and stay out of foul trouble.
The Magic have their game plan ready for tonight as they look to come out refocused, with more energy and intensity.
PREGAME
The Magic host their second preseason game in three days as Southeast Division foe the Charlotte Bobcats come into town. Orlando looks to improve upon a 94-93 loss handed to them by the Atlanta Hawks Monday night.
Despite the loss, Dwight Howard had a very impressive night scoring 31 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and blocking four shots.
Howard looks to have another big night as he squares off against Charlotte's Emeka Okafor.
Dwight has been quoted as stating Okafor as the player which Howard looks forward to playing the most.
Howard and Okafor's rivalry began back in 2004 when Howard was drafted with the first overall pick and Okafor was drafted second overall. Dwight states this as the reason for their rivarly.
"It's just because we were picked one and two in the draft."
The two up-and-coming post players were drafted by two teams in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division meaning they would go head-to-head for at least four games a year.
In their rookie seasons, Howard and Okafor were both named to the NBA's All-Rookie Team and Okafor was awarded NBA Rookie of the Year. Okafor averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds whereas Howard averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds.
As their careers have progressed, Howard has become a bigger star in the NBA. Howard has been named to an All-Star Game, led his team to the playoffs, and starts at Center for Team USA. For his NBA career Dwight has played in every game for the past three seasons averaging 15.1 points and 11.6 rebounds.
Okafor has been plagued with injuries in his three seasons and has averaged 14.5 points and 10.9 rebounds over that span.
The players are similiar in their physical attributes with Howard standing at 6'10, 250 pounds, and Okafor standing 6'10, 257 pounds.
Although Howard vs. Okafor is the marque matchup, the Magic and the Bobcats feature other intriguing matchups:
Former NCAA rivals J.J. Redick and Adam Morrison each have an NBA season under their belts as they look to improve in their sophomore seasons.
Newly aquired, high profile free-agents Rashard Lewis and Jason Richardson, face each other for the first time with their new teams.
MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder
Keyon Dooling – Day to Day, groin
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Oct. 10 vs. Charlotte (preseason): Orlando is 6-6 all-time vs. Charlotte (5-1 at home, 1-5 on the road), including 2-2 last season…Orlando is 1-0 all-time vs. Charlotte during preseason action...The Bobcats recorded their first win in franchise history over the Magic on Nov. 6, 2004 (111-100)...Keith Bogans played in 113 career games for the Bobcats from 2004-06…J.J. Redick played collegiately at Duke University…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Charlotte, see p. 237 of the media guide.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. BOBCATS: 28 pts., Grant Hill (@ Orlando, 3-24-05)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 32 pts., Sean May (@ Charlotte, 12-14-06)
