FINAL: Orlando Magic 103 Seattle Supersonics 76
November 13, 2007 - Amway Arena
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By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com
RECAP
The Magic bounced back from their loss Saturday with a 103-76 victory over the Seattle Supersonics at Amway Arena.
Despite committing a season-high 26 turnovers leading to 26 Sonic points and being outscored by Seattle in points in the paint, second chance points, and fast-break points, the Magic still managed to come away with a sizeable victory.
Five Magic players scored in double figures as Rashard Lewis led the attack against his former team by posting 22 points. Trevor Ariza sparked the Magic coming off the bench tallying a double-double with 11 points and tying a career high with 11 rebounds. Other double figure scorers included Hedo Turkoglu (17), Dwight Howard (13), and Keith Bogans (16) who made five three-pointers.
Nick Collison led the Sonics with 15 points as the Magic held Seattle to just 34 percent shooting from the field.
Orlando looks to begin another winning streak as they head to Cleveland tomorrow night to face the Cavaliers.
FOURTH QUARTER
Kevin Durant scores the first points of the final quarter. The Magic have done a tremendous job on the Sonics leading scorer holding him to just 10 points thus far. The teams trade buckets but the Magic still lead comfortably at 89-60 three minutes into the final period.
The Magic start the fourth with their second unit and they continue to pile it on forcing another Sonic timeout. The first timeout of every fourth quarter brings out the Magic's Jet Blue Crew and their T-Shirt guns which causes me to duck under the media table and hide. Image about ten out-of-control, caffeine induced people running around with loaded arousal guns pumping up the crowd with one hand while the other loosely holds the trigger of that gun which points directly at your head in the second row. I bet Sonic head coach P.J. Carlesimo would gladly switch spots with me.
The Magic still lead by 29 points at 95-66 with five minutes remaining in the game. James Augustine and Bo Outlaw enter into the game to the pleasure of the Amway crowd and Bo wastes no time throwing up a hook shot which he fails to convert. Not to worry though as Bo gets out on the break and finishes a layup. Bo Outlaw, aka instant offense, scores again adding insult to injury for the Sonics as they now trail the Magic by 30 points at 101-71.
Bo Outlaw has to be the most entertaining 12th year goggle wearing 15th man in the entire league. He commits a moving screen foul and then seconds later draws an over-the-back call. It was great for the Magic to bounce back after suffering the loss to Phoenix with a big win tonight. Hopfully they can keep the moment going tomorrow night as they visit the great city of Cleveland to face the Cavaliers. The Magic finish the game winning 103-76.
Final: Orlando Magic 103, Seattle Supersonics 76
THIRD QUARTER
If I told you that the Magic would lead by 13 after a 16 turnover first half with Dwight Howard scoring just one point...you would tell me im crazy. But then I would remind you that the Magic are playing the winless Sonics. The Magic start the half strong while looking to get Dwight involved and maintain their 13 point advantage at 55-42. Dwight finally gets going converting back-to-back three-point plays. Turkoglu strokes a three from the corner increasing the Magic lead to 61-44 with 7:41 left in the third.
The first half was rather sloppy and the second half is no different. Each team has been very careless with the basketball and the Sonics have shot poorly from the field shooting 30 percent. Lewis and Nelson have back-to-back hoops and the Sonics want to talk it over. The Magic have their largest lead of the game at 20 points with a 68-48 advantage.
A Howard block leads to a fast-break ending in a nice dish by Rashard to an open Bogans who cans a triple from the corner. Bogans becomes the third Magic player to score in double figures with his tenth point of the game. Rashard and Turkoglu have 22 and 17 points respectively. Arroyo checks in for Jameer Nelson who is quietly having an all-around productive game tallying 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Bogans nails another three and the Magic lead is up to 26 points at 80-54. Orlando has shot very well from beyond the arc converting on half their attempts going 10-for-20. Dwight makes two free-throws and he has bounced back from Saturday's poor free-throw performance going 6-for-8 tonight. from the charity stripe. The Sonics once again go back to the zone defense and the Magic are exploiting it by finding Dwight open in the middle of the paint. The Magic end the half with a comfortable 29 point lead.
End of Third: Orlando Magic 85, Seattle Supersonics 56
SECOND QUARTER
The Magic come out in the second quarter looking to continue their good shooting which saw them hit 10 of their last 14 shots. The Sonics score first in the quarter on a Jeff Green jump hook in the lane. Ariza heads to the line after making an aggressive move to the hoop. Ariza has provided a nice spark of the bench for the Magic tonight after the Magic got off to a slow start.
Dwight comes back into the game for the Magic as Jeff Green converts on back-to-back hoops cutting the Magic lead to nine at 29-20 three mintues into the second. Green was the other first round pick for the Sonics and is off to a great start scoring his eight point off the bench. Turk ends the Sonics run with a bucket giving the Magic a 31-23 advantage. Bogans nails a triple and Nelson gets a transition layup forcing a timeout from the Sonics. The Magic lead 36-23.
I had talked about the Sonics playing zone prior to the game but Seattle has played Orlando man-to-man the entire game so far. Both teams seem a bit sluggish and the Magic have already committed 11 turnovers which has been the most in a half for the team this season. It figures as soon as I mention the Sonics haven't played any zone defense, they come out of a timeout featuring their 2-3 matchup zone.
Collison hits a jumper from the top of the key to cut the Magic lead to ten but Lewis answers with a two of his own. The zone seems to be creating some problems for the Magic as they turn the ball over resulting in a three-pointer by Delonte West at the other end. A Turk miss from beyond the arc turns into a Sonic transition opportunity as Jeff Green gets fouled and makes two free-throws. Rashard continues his superb shooting as he nets another three. Lewis has 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting and bumps the Magic lead back to double digits at 42-32 with 2:49 left in the half.
The Sonics come out of a timeout with a 3-2 zone which Lewis picks apart bucketing another two. A Howard block leads to a Bogans three and the Magic increase their lead to 47-33 with under two minutes to go in the half. Ridnour and West combine for three points as the Magic control the ball to conclude the half. Nelson drives to the hoop drawing a goal tend and the very sloppy half ends with the Magic ahead by 13 points.
Halftime: Orlando Magic 49, Seattle Supersonics 36
FIRST QUARTER
Welcome back Magic fans to Amway Arena for the second home game in the last four days as the Magic face the Seattle Supersonics. Let's hope the Magic can bounce back from Saturday's loss to the Suns by coming out strong against the winless Sonics.
The Magic win the tip as they start with the normal starters: Jameer Nelson, Keith Bogans, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard. The Sonics counter with Luke Ridnour, Damien Wilkins, Kevin Durant, Chris Wilcox, and Nick Collison.
Wilcox scores the first two of the game and the Magic start slow at the offensive end. Dwight splits a pair from the line, let's hope he and the Magic rebound from their 47 percent free-throw performance on Saturday. Durant shows why he was the second player taken in the NBA draft by blocking a Bogans attempt and then taking the ball coast-to-coast finishing with a layup to give the Sonics an early 6-1 lead with 8:46 left in the first.
The Magic can't buy a hoop going 0-for-8 to start the game, but Rashard ends that with a three-pointer from the corner cutting the Sonic lead to 8-4. The Magic seem real flat tonight and need something to get them going. Right on cue, Hedo gets fouled while finishing a floater in the lane. He converts the three-point play and the Sonics lead 10-7 with 6:50 to go in the opening quarter.
Jameer with a pretty bucket cuts the Sonic lead to one but Durant answers with a dunk in transition at the other end. The Magic call a timeout and trail 12-9 with just under six minutes left in quarter number one.
Rashard hits a three out of the timeout to even the score at 12 a piece getting the Amway crowd back into the game. Turk drives to the basket on Durant and throws one down with the right hand giving the Magic their first lead of the game at 14-12. Foyle gets a lucky goal tend call causing a timeout from the Sonics as the Magic lead 16-12 with 3:56 left in the first.
Rashard does what he did out of the last timeout and hits a three-pointer from the corner. Jameer Nelson grabs a rebound, his fifth of the first quarter and Turk scores on the other end. Jameer and the Magic are going to have to help out on the glass as Dwight Howard sits with two early fouls.
Dooling hits a pair of free-throws and the Magic lead 21-13 at the two minute mark in the first. Ariza with a nice block leads to a Lewis bucket. Lewis is off to a great start against his old team with 10 points thus far on 4-of-5 shooting. Ariza makes another great play fighting for an offensive rebound and putting it back for two. The Magic control the ball with seconds left in the first as Lewis drives to his right converting on a floater at the buzzer giving the Magic a 28-14 lead.
End of First: Orlando Magic 28, Seattle Supersonics 14
TIP-OFF
I spoke earlier today with assistant coach Bob Beyer and he told me that the Magic would see a lot of zone defense from the Sonics tonight. The 2-3 zone is beneficial in dealing with match-up problems but is vulnerable around the perimeter and susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds. As a result, look for the Magic to have a lot of three-point opportunities and for Dwight Howard to have a big night on the offensive boards.
I also got a chance to speak with Kevin Durant after the Sonics shootaround today and he is very soft-spoken and respectful at his young age of 19. He was humble and spoke well, much like Dwight Howard. I think attitude is key in becoming a franchise player and Dwight along with Durant possesses a great attitude.
SHOOTAROUND
All the hype of tonight's game has been centered on Rashard Lewis facing his old team for the first time and his match-up against the number two overall pick in this season's NBA draft, Kevin Durant.
However, at this morning's shootarounds, both Orlando and Seattle were more focused on team concepts rather than the hype.
Coach Van Gundy spoke specifically about the team's emphasis at the defensive end.
"We spent a lot of time these last couple of days working on our defense," said Coach Van Gundy, "working specifically on our post defense, weak side help, and overall rotation on defense."
The emphasis comes after surrendering an average of 111 points per game in their two loses at home, and although the Sonics are winless, they like to score the basketball.
"It is hard to believe but I could legitimately tell the guys that we are going to be playing a team tonight which plays at a faster pace than Phoenix," commented Van Gundy referring to the Sonics' offense which leads the League in fast-break points. "That ball is going to fly up and down the floor tonight, and we have not done particularly well defending that type of pace."
Sonics first year head coach P.J. Carlesimo explained the reason for his up-tempo style of play.
"We don't have a real dominate post presence so that kind of forces us to play an up-tempo style of game looking for good looks at the basket in transition."
Much like Van Gundy, Carlesimo was quick to point out his main emphasis which is their defense.
"Our main emphasis is on our defense," said Carlisimo, "and we have improved on decreasing our opponent's field goal percentage but we are not at the level we want to be."
Despite each coach's emphasis on defense, look for another fast paced, high scoring game tonight.
PREGAME
Looking to avenge their defeat from three nights ago, the Magic return to Amway Arena Tuesday looking to bounce back against the winless Seattle Supersonics.
Seattle's struggles derive from the loss of their two best players to free-agency.
Orlando was lucky enough to land one of those players in Rashard Lewis who will face the franchise he spent his entire NBA career with, prior to joining the Magic this summer, for the first time.
"It is going to be a little different obviously seeing the Seattle Supersonics on the other bench," stated Lewis, "but it is going to be good to see a lot of my old friends and the people in the organization I had spent my entire career with."
In nine seasons with the Sonics, Lewis averaged 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while making one all-star appearance in 2005.
Lewis has continued his success with the Magic this season averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists through seven games.
The Sonics in hopes to replace Lewis' talent, drafted Kevin Durant with the second overall pick in this year's draft.
Durant, like Lewis, is a long, athletic forward at 6'10 who can score from anywhere on the floor.
"They both have similar body types and can shoot the ball well from the perimeter for their height," added Coach Van Gundy.
Durant has been the only bright spot for Seattle (0-7) averaging 21.7 points and 5.4 rebounds.
"I've seen him play and he is a great talent," Lewis stated, "but we are not going to just focus on trying to stop one guy."
Lewis doesn't look at the game as a battle between Durant or his former team, and isn't treating the game any differently.
"I am just going to go out there, play hard, and treat it like just another game."
MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder – underwent successful surgery on Oct. 24; will likely miss the entire season.
J.J. Redick – Questionable, back spasms; Day-to-day.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Nov. 13 vs. Seattle (Orlando, FL): Orlando is 14-22 all-time vs. Seattle (10-8 at home, 4-14 at Seattle) during regular season play, including 2-0 last season…The Magic have won the last three meetings with the Sonics, and six of the last 10 overall…Orlando has won seven of the last nine matchups at home, but lost six of the last 10 games at Seattle…Rashard Lewis played nine seasons with the Sonics (1998-2007) and ranks among Seattle’s all-time list in seven different categories…Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing spent one season with the Sonics (2000-01)…Assistant Coach Brendan Malone served as a consultant with the Sonics during their run to the 1996 NBA Finals…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Seattle, see p. 283 of the media guide.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. SONICS: 41 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ Seattle, 11-19-02)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 45 pts., Rashard Lewis (@ Orlando, 1-11-06)
 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |  |
|
| SONICS | 14 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 76 | ||
| MAGIC | 28 | 21 | 36 | 18 | 103 |
By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com
RECAP
The Magic bounced back from their loss Saturday with a 103-76 victory over the Seattle Supersonics at Amway Arena.
Despite committing a season-high 26 turnovers leading to 26 Sonic points and being outscored by Seattle in points in the paint, second chance points, and fast-break points, the Magic still managed to come away with a sizeable victory.
Five Magic players scored in double figures as Rashard Lewis led the attack against his former team by posting 22 points. Trevor Ariza sparked the Magic coming off the bench tallying a double-double with 11 points and tying a career high with 11 rebounds. Other double figure scorers included Hedo Turkoglu (17), Dwight Howard (13), and Keith Bogans (16) who made five three-pointers.
Nick Collison led the Sonics with 15 points as the Magic held Seattle to just 34 percent shooting from the field.
Orlando looks to begin another winning streak as they head to Cleveland tomorrow night to face the Cavaliers.
FOURTH QUARTER
Kevin Durant scores the first points of the final quarter. The Magic have done a tremendous job on the Sonics leading scorer holding him to just 10 points thus far. The teams trade buckets but the Magic still lead comfortably at 89-60 three minutes into the final period.
The Magic start the fourth with their second unit and they continue to pile it on forcing another Sonic timeout. The first timeout of every fourth quarter brings out the Magic's Jet Blue Crew and their T-Shirt guns which causes me to duck under the media table and hide. Image about ten out-of-control, caffeine induced people running around with loaded arousal guns pumping up the crowd with one hand while the other loosely holds the trigger of that gun which points directly at your head in the second row. I bet Sonic head coach P.J. Carlesimo would gladly switch spots with me.
The Magic still lead by 29 points at 95-66 with five minutes remaining in the game. James Augustine and Bo Outlaw enter into the game to the pleasure of the Amway crowd and Bo wastes no time throwing up a hook shot which he fails to convert. Not to worry though as Bo gets out on the break and finishes a layup. Bo Outlaw, aka instant offense, scores again adding insult to injury for the Sonics as they now trail the Magic by 30 points at 101-71.
Bo Outlaw has to be the most entertaining 12th year goggle wearing 15th man in the entire league. He commits a moving screen foul and then seconds later draws an over-the-back call. It was great for the Magic to bounce back after suffering the loss to Phoenix with a big win tonight. Hopfully they can keep the moment going tomorrow night as they visit the great city of Cleveland to face the Cavaliers. The Magic finish the game winning 103-76.
Final: Orlando Magic 103, Seattle Supersonics 76
THIRD QUARTER
If I told you that the Magic would lead by 13 after a 16 turnover first half with Dwight Howard scoring just one point...you would tell me im crazy. But then I would remind you that the Magic are playing the winless Sonics. The Magic start the half strong while looking to get Dwight involved and maintain their 13 point advantage at 55-42. Dwight finally gets going converting back-to-back three-point plays. Turkoglu strokes a three from the corner increasing the Magic lead to 61-44 with 7:41 left in the third.
The first half was rather sloppy and the second half is no different. Each team has been very careless with the basketball and the Sonics have shot poorly from the field shooting 30 percent. Lewis and Nelson have back-to-back hoops and the Sonics want to talk it over. The Magic have their largest lead of the game at 20 points with a 68-48 advantage.
A Howard block leads to a fast-break ending in a nice dish by Rashard to an open Bogans who cans a triple from the corner. Bogans becomes the third Magic player to score in double figures with his tenth point of the game. Rashard and Turkoglu have 22 and 17 points respectively. Arroyo checks in for Jameer Nelson who is quietly having an all-around productive game tallying 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Bogans nails another three and the Magic lead is up to 26 points at 80-54. Orlando has shot very well from beyond the arc converting on half their attempts going 10-for-20. Dwight makes two free-throws and he has bounced back from Saturday's poor free-throw performance going 6-for-8 tonight. from the charity stripe. The Sonics once again go back to the zone defense and the Magic are exploiting it by finding Dwight open in the middle of the paint. The Magic end the half with a comfortable 29 point lead.
End of Third: Orlando Magic 85, Seattle Supersonics 56
SECOND QUARTER
The Magic come out in the second quarter looking to continue their good shooting which saw them hit 10 of their last 14 shots. The Sonics score first in the quarter on a Jeff Green jump hook in the lane. Ariza heads to the line after making an aggressive move to the hoop. Ariza has provided a nice spark of the bench for the Magic tonight after the Magic got off to a slow start.
Dwight comes back into the game for the Magic as Jeff Green converts on back-to-back hoops cutting the Magic lead to nine at 29-20 three mintues into the second. Green was the other first round pick for the Sonics and is off to a great start scoring his eight point off the bench. Turk ends the Sonics run with a bucket giving the Magic a 31-23 advantage. Bogans nails a triple and Nelson gets a transition layup forcing a timeout from the Sonics. The Magic lead 36-23.
I had talked about the Sonics playing zone prior to the game but Seattle has played Orlando man-to-man the entire game so far. Both teams seem a bit sluggish and the Magic have already committed 11 turnovers which has been the most in a half for the team this season. It figures as soon as I mention the Sonics haven't played any zone defense, they come out of a timeout featuring their 2-3 matchup zone.
Collison hits a jumper from the top of the key to cut the Magic lead to ten but Lewis answers with a two of his own. The zone seems to be creating some problems for the Magic as they turn the ball over resulting in a three-pointer by Delonte West at the other end. A Turk miss from beyond the arc turns into a Sonic transition opportunity as Jeff Green gets fouled and makes two free-throws. Rashard continues his superb shooting as he nets another three. Lewis has 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting and bumps the Magic lead back to double digits at 42-32 with 2:49 left in the half.
The Sonics come out of a timeout with a 3-2 zone which Lewis picks apart bucketing another two. A Howard block leads to a Bogans three and the Magic increase their lead to 47-33 with under two minutes to go in the half. Ridnour and West combine for three points as the Magic control the ball to conclude the half. Nelson drives to the hoop drawing a goal tend and the very sloppy half ends with the Magic ahead by 13 points.
Halftime: Orlando Magic 49, Seattle Supersonics 36
FIRST QUARTER
Welcome back Magic fans to Amway Arena for the second home game in the last four days as the Magic face the Seattle Supersonics. Let's hope the Magic can bounce back from Saturday's loss to the Suns by coming out strong against the winless Sonics.
The Magic win the tip as they start with the normal starters: Jameer Nelson, Keith Bogans, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard. The Sonics counter with Luke Ridnour, Damien Wilkins, Kevin Durant, Chris Wilcox, and Nick Collison.
Wilcox scores the first two of the game and the Magic start slow at the offensive end. Dwight splits a pair from the line, let's hope he and the Magic rebound from their 47 percent free-throw performance on Saturday. Durant shows why he was the second player taken in the NBA draft by blocking a Bogans attempt and then taking the ball coast-to-coast finishing with a layup to give the Sonics an early 6-1 lead with 8:46 left in the first.
The Magic can't buy a hoop going 0-for-8 to start the game, but Rashard ends that with a three-pointer from the corner cutting the Sonic lead to 8-4. The Magic seem real flat tonight and need something to get them going. Right on cue, Hedo gets fouled while finishing a floater in the lane. He converts the three-point play and the Sonics lead 10-7 with 6:50 to go in the opening quarter.
Jameer with a pretty bucket cuts the Sonic lead to one but Durant answers with a dunk in transition at the other end. The Magic call a timeout and trail 12-9 with just under six minutes left in quarter number one.
Rashard hits a three out of the timeout to even the score at 12 a piece getting the Amway crowd back into the game. Turk drives to the basket on Durant and throws one down with the right hand giving the Magic their first lead of the game at 14-12. Foyle gets a lucky goal tend call causing a timeout from the Sonics as the Magic lead 16-12 with 3:56 left in the first.
Rashard does what he did out of the last timeout and hits a three-pointer from the corner. Jameer Nelson grabs a rebound, his fifth of the first quarter and Turk scores on the other end. Jameer and the Magic are going to have to help out on the glass as Dwight Howard sits with two early fouls.
Dooling hits a pair of free-throws and the Magic lead 21-13 at the two minute mark in the first. Ariza with a nice block leads to a Lewis bucket. Lewis is off to a great start against his old team with 10 points thus far on 4-of-5 shooting. Ariza makes another great play fighting for an offensive rebound and putting it back for two. The Magic control the ball with seconds left in the first as Lewis drives to his right converting on a floater at the buzzer giving the Magic a 28-14 lead.
End of First: Orlando Magic 28, Seattle Supersonics 14
TIP-OFF
I spoke earlier today with assistant coach Bob Beyer and he told me that the Magic would see a lot of zone defense from the Sonics tonight. The 2-3 zone is beneficial in dealing with match-up problems but is vulnerable around the perimeter and susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds. As a result, look for the Magic to have a lot of three-point opportunities and for Dwight Howard to have a big night on the offensive boards.
I also got a chance to speak with Kevin Durant after the Sonics shootaround today and he is very soft-spoken and respectful at his young age of 19. He was humble and spoke well, much like Dwight Howard. I think attitude is key in becoming a franchise player and Dwight along with Durant possesses a great attitude.
SHOOTAROUND
All the hype of tonight's game has been centered on Rashard Lewis facing his old team for the first time and his match-up against the number two overall pick in this season's NBA draft, Kevin Durant.
However, at this morning's shootarounds, both Orlando and Seattle were more focused on team concepts rather than the hype.
Coach Van Gundy spoke specifically about the team's emphasis at the defensive end.
"We spent a lot of time these last couple of days working on our defense," said Coach Van Gundy, "working specifically on our post defense, weak side help, and overall rotation on defense."
The emphasis comes after surrendering an average of 111 points per game in their two loses at home, and although the Sonics are winless, they like to score the basketball.
"It is hard to believe but I could legitimately tell the guys that we are going to be playing a team tonight which plays at a faster pace than Phoenix," commented Van Gundy referring to the Sonics' offense which leads the League in fast-break points. "That ball is going to fly up and down the floor tonight, and we have not done particularly well defending that type of pace."
Sonics first year head coach P.J. Carlesimo explained the reason for his up-tempo style of play.
"We don't have a real dominate post presence so that kind of forces us to play an up-tempo style of game looking for good looks at the basket in transition."
Much like Van Gundy, Carlesimo was quick to point out his main emphasis which is their defense.
"Our main emphasis is on our defense," said Carlisimo, "and we have improved on decreasing our opponent's field goal percentage but we are not at the level we want to be."
Despite each coach's emphasis on defense, look for another fast paced, high scoring game tonight.
PREGAME
Looking to avenge their defeat from three nights ago, the Magic return to Amway Arena Tuesday looking to bounce back against the winless Seattle Supersonics.
Seattle's struggles derive from the loss of their two best players to free-agency.
Orlando was lucky enough to land one of those players in Rashard Lewis who will face the franchise he spent his entire NBA career with, prior to joining the Magic this summer, for the first time.
"It is going to be a little different obviously seeing the Seattle Supersonics on the other bench," stated Lewis, "but it is going to be good to see a lot of my old friends and the people in the organization I had spent my entire career with."
In nine seasons with the Sonics, Lewis averaged 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while making one all-star appearance in 2005.
Lewis has continued his success with the Magic this season averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists through seven games.
The Sonics in hopes to replace Lewis' talent, drafted Kevin Durant with the second overall pick in this year's draft.
Durant, like Lewis, is a long, athletic forward at 6'10 who can score from anywhere on the floor.
"They both have similar body types and can shoot the ball well from the perimeter for their height," added Coach Van Gundy.
Durant has been the only bright spot for Seattle (0-7) averaging 21.7 points and 5.4 rebounds.
"I've seen him play and he is a great talent," Lewis stated, "but we are not going to just focus on trying to stop one guy."
Lewis doesn't look at the game as a battle between Durant or his former team, and isn't treating the game any differently.
"I am just going to go out there, play hard, and treat it like just another game."
MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder – underwent successful surgery on Oct. 24; will likely miss the entire season.
J.J. Redick – Questionable, back spasms; Day-to-day.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Nov. 13 vs. Seattle (Orlando, FL): Orlando is 14-22 all-time vs. Seattle (10-8 at home, 4-14 at Seattle) during regular season play, including 2-0 last season…The Magic have won the last three meetings with the Sonics, and six of the last 10 overall…Orlando has won seven of the last nine matchups at home, but lost six of the last 10 games at Seattle…Rashard Lewis played nine seasons with the Sonics (1998-2007) and ranks among Seattle’s all-time list in seven different categories…Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing spent one season with the Sonics (2000-01)…Assistant Coach Brendan Malone served as a consultant with the Sonics during their run to the 1996 NBA Finals…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Seattle, see p. 283 of the media guide.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. SONICS: 41 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ Seattle, 11-19-02)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 45 pts., Rashard Lewis (@ Orlando, 1-11-06)
