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Final: Utah Jazz 113 - Orlando Magic 94
December 21, 2007 - Amway Arena
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By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com
RECAP
The Magic were unable to start a winning streak as they fell to the Utah Jazz 113-94 at Amway Arena despite another double-double effort from Dwight Howard (20 points, 13 rebounds) and a season-high 27 points from Hedo Turkoglu.
Utah (15-13) had seven players score in double figures led by Paul Milsap's career-high 28 points off the bench, and the Jazz bench as a whole dominated the Magic's bench outscoring them 50-20.
Orlando (18-10) took a 50-49 lead into the half before getting outscored by the Jazz 64-44 in the second half.
The Magic did not take good care of the basketball turning the ball over 20 times leading to 30 Jazz points.
Things don't get any easier for the Magic as they travel to Boston to take on the Eastern Conference leading Celtics Sunday night.
FOURTH QUARTER
Paul Milsap continues his domination down low with the first two points of the final period. The Jazz string a together a little run to begin the fourth and the Magic have quickly dug themselves a 13 point deficit. Van Gundy calls a timeout two minutes into the quarter with the Magic trailing 86-73.
The Magic desperately need something to get them going and a turnover by Nelson leading to two points for Milsap probably isn't the answer.
Dwight scores a hook and as he runs back to the defensive end, he rips off his elbow pads and throws them into the crowd. I think that pretty much sums up the Magic's feelings of frustration as Boozer converts a three-point play giving the Jazz a 91-77 lead.
The Magic have committed 19 turnovers leading to 28 Utah points and their carelessness with the basketball has really fueled Utah's offensive production.
Arroyo and Dooling check into the game for Van Gundy as the Magic will probably look to increase the tempo to try and get themselves back in this ballgame. Arroyo hits a jumper but the Magic still trail 96-80 halfway through the final period.
Here is a great stat depicting why the Magic are trailing by 15, the Utah bench is outscoring the Magic bench 48-11. Yeah...48-11.
Another Magic turnover leads to another Jazz fast-break bucket causing the Amway crowd to head for the exits with their team trailing 104-85 with four minutes remaining in the game.
J.J. Redick enters the game and the fans who have stayed cheer loud for him as he heads to the bucket and converts on a floater in the lane without messing up his perfect hair.
Van Gundy is obviously upset with his first unit as the team currently on the floor consists of Arroyo, Redick, Evans, Augustine, and Foyle. The second unit is doing much better and the Jazz lead is 113-92 with under a minute to go.
The Jazz bring in their scrubs and the only thing keeping the 12 Magic fans in their seats is J.J.'s hair.
Another disappointing loss at home brings out a couple of boos as the game ends.
Final: Utah Jazz 113, Orlando Magic 94
THIRD QUARTER
The teams come out for the second half having played a tight, hard fought first half which saw six ties and eight lead changes as Dwight Howard increases the Magic lead with a dunk. Howard follows with a pretty hook shot and another dunk on a fine alley-oop from Jameer Nelson.
Howard and Boozer share the same stat line with their 12 points and six rebounds and Dwight looks to add on as the Magic have come out in the second half feeding the big fella on each of their first five possessions.
Deron Williams ties up the ballgame at 56 four minutes into the third period and Ronnie Brewer gives the lead back to Utah with a 15 foot jump shot.
Continuing to look for Howard, the Magic feed Dwight who gets fouled and heads to the line. Dwight splits the pair and the Magic cut the lead to one at 58-57.
A good sign for the Magic as they are being aggressive and getting to the fould line as Hedo gives the Magic back the lead with two from the charity stripe. The back-and-forth game continues as Kirilenko scores to give the Jazz a 60-59 advantage.
Dwight's ninth point of the quarter gives the Magic a one point lead but only for a moment as Deron Williams scores on a touch layup. The Jazz lead 64-63 with 5:54 left in the third period.
Paul Milsap is killing the Magic down low and has 20 points off the Jazz bench. Right on cue, Milsap buckets back-to-back hoops giving the Jazz their largest lead at ten points.
A Mo Evans three-point calms down Milsap briefly as the Magic head into the final period trailing 79-70.
End Of Third: Utah Jazz 79, Orlando Magic 70
SECOND QUARTER
The Magic can't find the mark to start the second and the Jazz string together a couple of buckets forcing a Van Gundy timeout two minutes into the second and the Magic trailing 32-27.
Jameer Nelson ends the Jazz streak by nailing a jumper and on the next Magic possession Hedo Turkoglu gets fouled and heads to the line. Turk buckets both and the Magic pull within one halfway through the second period.
Lewis nails a triple from the corner and Rashard has gotten off to a great start tonight scoring 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Lewis passes up another three to feed an open Turkoglu who stokes a three.
Harpring answers with a triple of his own but Hedo nets another three ball giving the Magic a 40-39 lead with five minutes left in the half.
Nobody seems to be guarding the perimeter as both teams are drilling threes as Bogans and Kirilenko hit their third each and Hedo nets one of his own tying the ballgame at 48 with 1:42 to go in the first half.
Hedo gets fouled and heads to the line where he makes ending the half with the Magic leading 50-49.
A Howard block on Carlos Boozer leads to a fast-break opportunity and a dunk from Mo Evans but the Jazz answer with a 6-0 run forcing Van Gundy to call a timeout with the Jazz ahead 71-65 with 4:25 to go in the third.
Halftime: Orlando Magic 50, Utah Jazz 49
FIRST QUARTER
What's up Magic fans, happy holidays and welcome to Amway Arena for tonight's contest between the Magic and the Utah Jazz.
Dwight Howard wins the opening tip giving the Magic the first possession of tonight's ballgame and Dwight starts the game by grabbing an offensive rebound and laying it back in for two.
The Magic start the game with Nelson, Bogans, Turkoglu, Lewis, and Howard and the Jazz counter with Deron Williams, Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, and one of the Collins twins.
It is a track meet here to start the game and you wouldn't know that these two teams are currently in slumps as the Magic are shooting 71 percent and the Jazz close to 60 percent.
Bogans nails his second triple of the game and the Magic lead 12-8 just three minutes into the game. The Magic are scoring at will as Nelson and Lewis convert on back-to-back layups.
Lewis nails a three from the left as the Magic have made three of their first five attempts from beyond the arc. Kirilenko answers with a triple of his own to make the score Magic 19, and the Jazz 15.
A transition alley-oop, Nelson to Lewis, forces Utah coach Jerry Sloan to call a much needed timeout for everyone with 4:46 to go in the first as the Magic lead 21-15.
Dwight gets an easy transition layup out of the timeout, he must be bored of dunking because he really could have slammed that one down. Van Gundy has to be very pleased with the Magic's start offensively.
Keyon Dooling checks into the game and makes his presence felt immediately stroking a jumper giving the Magic a 25-22 lead at the two minute mark to go in the first.
Former Magic player Matt Harpring scores back-to-back buckets putting the Jazz ahead 28-27 as the opening quarter concludes.
End Of First: Utah Jazz 28, Orlando Magic 27
KEYS TO THE GAME
Take Care Of The Basketball
When the Magic struggle, they tend to be careless on offense turning over the ball leading to easy transition buckets by the opposition. Taking care of the basketball will be especially important tonight against the Jazz who are second in the NBA in steals per game (9.44).
Free-Throw Shooting
The Magic currently rank second in the league in drawing fouls at 24 a game and the Jazz rank second in committing them. So...it is obvious the Magic will get plenty of opportunities for some easy points from the charity stripe, and it will be important for them to take advantage of these opportunities.
Help D12 On The Boards
The Jazz are fourth in the NBA in rebound differential (+3.4), so the Magic must help out Dwight Howard down low who will have his hands full with Carlos Boozer. The Magic must not allow the Jazz second chance opportunities because the Jazz rank second in field-goal percentage shooting 49 percent.
SHOOTAROUND
The Magic went through shootaround Friday morning at Amway Arena a bit bruised and battered after coming off a hard fought win in Houston.
"We are a group now that has to fight for our wins because we are banged up and aren't firing on all cylinders," said head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Van Gundy continued, "We are bit of a banged up group right now and Rashard is really struggling but he is hanging in there and fighting with us to get some wins. Keith Bogans is struggling with his knee which is continuing to swell and Jameer and Carlos have been banged up too."
Lewis and Bogans did not participate in this morning's shootaround, but Van Gundy expects everyone to be ready.
"Anytime you have a guy who doesn't participate in shootaround you have to wait and see, and we are hoping that everyone's swelling will go down but we expect everyone to play."
Rashard Lewis, as coach stated, has been fighting through neck spasms and spoke about his health and the MRI he took on Thursday.
"Everything is fine and there is just a little swelling in that area of my neck," commented Lewis. The doctor's said it was nothing real serious and the main reason for getting the MRI was to make sure there was nothing serious. They said I am able to continue to play through it but that I will just experience some discomfort when I play."
Lewis said the first sign of his neck pain came on the night before their December 10th home game against the Atlanta Hawks. Lewis woke up the next morning and went through shootaround with a stiff neck and has been uncomfortable since.
Even with the pain in his neck, Lewis has only missed one game with the injury and has played through pain.
"It seems like every time we play, I aggravate it and I have to go back to square one," Lewis said. "I get a lot of treatment and I will just ice, ice, and ice until it starts to heal."
Lewis continued, "It is feeling a lot better today and I finally feel like it is starting to heal a little bit. I will be playing tonight, don't worry."
Perhaps the Magic's biggest worry will be having to deal with a good Utah team which features two outstanding players in Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams.
As stated below, Boozer is having a career season and Van Gundy is well aware of Boozer's capabilities.
"With Boozer you get a guy who can take you into the post score, shoot the 17 foot jump shot, or take you off the dribble to the basket, so he is a tough match-up for anyone," said Van Gundy.
Van Gundy explained how the Magic intend to guard the talented Boozer.
"We will run a lot of different people at him and whoever guards him will need a lot of help so it will be more of a team approach when guarding him."
Guarding Deron Williams will be Magic point guard Jameer Nelson who gives up nearly four inches and 20 pounds and Nelson spoke about how he plans to guard the bigger Williams.
"I am just going to try and stay in front of him forcing him to shoot over me and make it as tough as possible on him."
Making the game tough for the Jazz will be something the Magic expect to accomplish as they look to hand Utah their eighth straight road loss.
PREGAME
The Magic come home tonight hoping to start a winning streak at Amway Arena as they face the 14-13 Utah Jazz.
The team spent much of this week in the Lonestar state, splitting their Texas two-step with a close loss at Dallas followed by a close win in Houston.
Utah comes into the game having dropped eight of their last nine games, including losses in seven straight road games.
Coming off their most successful season (post Stockton-Malone) in 2006-2007 where they reached the Western Conference Finals, Utah continued their winning ways this season beginning with a 13-5 record.
However, the Jazz are in the midst of a challenging portion of their schedule with 10 out of their 13 games on the road - a stretch that has left them staring at a 5-11 record.
Despite Utah's rough stretch, the team has an extremely bright future and a solid foundation developed by future Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan. That group includes Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko and fast rising star Deron Williams.
Williams is the floor general and catalyst at the point guard position, currently ranking fourth in the NBA with 8.8 assists per game to go along with his 19.9 points average.
Boozer is Utah's workhorse and low post presence who has arguably had the best season of any big man in the league.
Arguing that statement would be Orlando's Dwight Howard and the match-up showcases two players who rank among the NBA's best in several statistical categories.
For example:
Boozer ranks fourth in scoring at 25.3 points per game while Howard's 23.5 average places him eighth.
Howard leads the league in rebounding averaging 15.1 boards and Boozer ranks tied for fifth at 11.8.
Howard's 62 percent field-goal percentage ranks him second in the league whereas Boozer's 57 percent puts him seventh.
Howard and Boozer rank first and second respectively in double-doubles with Howard posting 23 and Boozer tallying 21.
Containing Boozer, along with Deron Williams, will be the key for the Magic as they look to snap a three game home losing streak.
MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Carlos Arroyo – Questionable, sore left foot, day-to-day.
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder – underwent successful surgery on Oct. 24; will likely miss the entire season.
Rashard Lewis – Probable, neck spasms, day-to-day.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Dec. 21 vs. Utah (Orlando, FL): Orlando is 16-21 vs. Utah (10-9 at home, 6-12 at Utah) during regular season action, including 2-0 last season...Orlando has won eight of the last 11 regular season meetings overall...Orlando has won six of the last eight matchups at home and three of the last five in Salt Lake City…Carlos Arroyo spent two-plus seasons with the Jazz from 2002-05…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Utah, see p. 287 of the media guide.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. JAZZ: 43 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ Orlando, 2-18-04)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 40 pts., Karl Malone (@ Orlando, 3-12-03)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| JAZZ | 28 | 21 | 30 | 34 | 113 |
| MAGIC | 27 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 94 |
By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com
RECAP
The Magic were unable to start a winning streak as they fell to the Utah Jazz 113-94 at Amway Arena despite another double-double effort from Dwight Howard (20 points, 13 rebounds) and a season-high 27 points from Hedo Turkoglu.
Utah (15-13) had seven players score in double figures led by Paul Milsap's career-high 28 points off the bench, and the Jazz bench as a whole dominated the Magic's bench outscoring them 50-20.
Orlando (18-10) took a 50-49 lead into the half before getting outscored by the Jazz 64-44 in the second half.
The Magic did not take good care of the basketball turning the ball over 20 times leading to 30 Jazz points.
Things don't get any easier for the Magic as they travel to Boston to take on the Eastern Conference leading Celtics Sunday night.
FOURTH QUARTER
Paul Milsap continues his domination down low with the first two points of the final period. The Jazz string a together a little run to begin the fourth and the Magic have quickly dug themselves a 13 point deficit. Van Gundy calls a timeout two minutes into the quarter with the Magic trailing 86-73.
The Magic desperately need something to get them going and a turnover by Nelson leading to two points for Milsap probably isn't the answer.
Dwight scores a hook and as he runs back to the defensive end, he rips off his elbow pads and throws them into the crowd. I think that pretty much sums up the Magic's feelings of frustration as Boozer converts a three-point play giving the Jazz a 91-77 lead.
The Magic have committed 19 turnovers leading to 28 Utah points and their carelessness with the basketball has really fueled Utah's offensive production.
Arroyo and Dooling check into the game for Van Gundy as the Magic will probably look to increase the tempo to try and get themselves back in this ballgame. Arroyo hits a jumper but the Magic still trail 96-80 halfway through the final period.
Here is a great stat depicting why the Magic are trailing by 15, the Utah bench is outscoring the Magic bench 48-11. Yeah...48-11.
Another Magic turnover leads to another Jazz fast-break bucket causing the Amway crowd to head for the exits with their team trailing 104-85 with four minutes remaining in the game.
J.J. Redick enters the game and the fans who have stayed cheer loud for him as he heads to the bucket and converts on a floater in the lane without messing up his perfect hair.
Van Gundy is obviously upset with his first unit as the team currently on the floor consists of Arroyo, Redick, Evans, Augustine, and Foyle. The second unit is doing much better and the Jazz lead is 113-92 with under a minute to go.
The Jazz bring in their scrubs and the only thing keeping the 12 Magic fans in their seats is J.J.'s hair.
Another disappointing loss at home brings out a couple of boos as the game ends.
Final: Utah Jazz 113, Orlando Magic 94
THIRD QUARTER
The teams come out for the second half having played a tight, hard fought first half which saw six ties and eight lead changes as Dwight Howard increases the Magic lead with a dunk. Howard follows with a pretty hook shot and another dunk on a fine alley-oop from Jameer Nelson.
Howard and Boozer share the same stat line with their 12 points and six rebounds and Dwight looks to add on as the Magic have come out in the second half feeding the big fella on each of their first five possessions.
Deron Williams ties up the ballgame at 56 four minutes into the third period and Ronnie Brewer gives the lead back to Utah with a 15 foot jump shot.
Continuing to look for Howard, the Magic feed Dwight who gets fouled and heads to the line. Dwight splits the pair and the Magic cut the lead to one at 58-57.
A good sign for the Magic as they are being aggressive and getting to the fould line as Hedo gives the Magic back the lead with two from the charity stripe. The back-and-forth game continues as Kirilenko scores to give the Jazz a 60-59 advantage.
Dwight's ninth point of the quarter gives the Magic a one point lead but only for a moment as Deron Williams scores on a touch layup. The Jazz lead 64-63 with 5:54 left in the third period.
Paul Milsap is killing the Magic down low and has 20 points off the Jazz bench. Right on cue, Milsap buckets back-to-back hoops giving the Jazz their largest lead at ten points.
A Mo Evans three-point calms down Milsap briefly as the Magic head into the final period trailing 79-70.
End Of Third: Utah Jazz 79, Orlando Magic 70
SECOND QUARTER
The Magic can't find the mark to start the second and the Jazz string together a couple of buckets forcing a Van Gundy timeout two minutes into the second and the Magic trailing 32-27.
Jameer Nelson ends the Jazz streak by nailing a jumper and on the next Magic possession Hedo Turkoglu gets fouled and heads to the line. Turk buckets both and the Magic pull within one halfway through the second period.
Lewis nails a triple from the corner and Rashard has gotten off to a great start tonight scoring 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Lewis passes up another three to feed an open Turkoglu who stokes a three.
Harpring answers with a triple of his own but Hedo nets another three ball giving the Magic a 40-39 lead with five minutes left in the half.
Nobody seems to be guarding the perimeter as both teams are drilling threes as Bogans and Kirilenko hit their third each and Hedo nets one of his own tying the ballgame at 48 with 1:42 to go in the first half.
Hedo gets fouled and heads to the line where he makes ending the half with the Magic leading 50-49.
A Howard block on Carlos Boozer leads to a fast-break opportunity and a dunk from Mo Evans but the Jazz answer with a 6-0 run forcing Van Gundy to call a timeout with the Jazz ahead 71-65 with 4:25 to go in the third.
Halftime: Orlando Magic 50, Utah Jazz 49
FIRST QUARTER
What's up Magic fans, happy holidays and welcome to Amway Arena for tonight's contest between the Magic and the Utah Jazz.
Dwight Howard wins the opening tip giving the Magic the first possession of tonight's ballgame and Dwight starts the game by grabbing an offensive rebound and laying it back in for two.
The Magic start the game with Nelson, Bogans, Turkoglu, Lewis, and Howard and the Jazz counter with Deron Williams, Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, and one of the Collins twins.
It is a track meet here to start the game and you wouldn't know that these two teams are currently in slumps as the Magic are shooting 71 percent and the Jazz close to 60 percent.
Bogans nails his second triple of the game and the Magic lead 12-8 just three minutes into the game. The Magic are scoring at will as Nelson and Lewis convert on back-to-back layups.
Lewis nails a three from the left as the Magic have made three of their first five attempts from beyond the arc. Kirilenko answers with a triple of his own to make the score Magic 19, and the Jazz 15.
A transition alley-oop, Nelson to Lewis, forces Utah coach Jerry Sloan to call a much needed timeout for everyone with 4:46 to go in the first as the Magic lead 21-15.
Dwight gets an easy transition layup out of the timeout, he must be bored of dunking because he really could have slammed that one down. Van Gundy has to be very pleased with the Magic's start offensively.
Keyon Dooling checks into the game and makes his presence felt immediately stroking a jumper giving the Magic a 25-22 lead at the two minute mark to go in the first.
Former Magic player Matt Harpring scores back-to-back buckets putting the Jazz ahead 28-27 as the opening quarter concludes.
End Of First: Utah Jazz 28, Orlando Magic 27
KEYS TO THE GAME
Take Care Of The Basketball
When the Magic struggle, they tend to be careless on offense turning over the ball leading to easy transition buckets by the opposition. Taking care of the basketball will be especially important tonight against the Jazz who are second in the NBA in steals per game (9.44).
Free-Throw Shooting
The Magic currently rank second in the league in drawing fouls at 24 a game and the Jazz rank second in committing them. So...it is obvious the Magic will get plenty of opportunities for some easy points from the charity stripe, and it will be important for them to take advantage of these opportunities.
Help D12 On The Boards
The Jazz are fourth in the NBA in rebound differential (+3.4), so the Magic must help out Dwight Howard down low who will have his hands full with Carlos Boozer. The Magic must not allow the Jazz second chance opportunities because the Jazz rank second in field-goal percentage shooting 49 percent.
SHOOTAROUND
The Magic went through shootaround Friday morning at Amway Arena a bit bruised and battered after coming off a hard fought win in Houston.
"We are a group now that has to fight for our wins because we are banged up and aren't firing on all cylinders," said head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Van Gundy continued, "We are bit of a banged up group right now and Rashard is really struggling but he is hanging in there and fighting with us to get some wins. Keith Bogans is struggling with his knee which is continuing to swell and Jameer and Carlos have been banged up too."
Lewis and Bogans did not participate in this morning's shootaround, but Van Gundy expects everyone to be ready.
"Anytime you have a guy who doesn't participate in shootaround you have to wait and see, and we are hoping that everyone's swelling will go down but we expect everyone to play."
Rashard Lewis, as coach stated, has been fighting through neck spasms and spoke about his health and the MRI he took on Thursday.
"Everything is fine and there is just a little swelling in that area of my neck," commented Lewis. The doctor's said it was nothing real serious and the main reason for getting the MRI was to make sure there was nothing serious. They said I am able to continue to play through it but that I will just experience some discomfort when I play."
Lewis said the first sign of his neck pain came on the night before their December 10th home game against the Atlanta Hawks. Lewis woke up the next morning and went through shootaround with a stiff neck and has been uncomfortable since.
Even with the pain in his neck, Lewis has only missed one game with the injury and has played through pain.
"It seems like every time we play, I aggravate it and I have to go back to square one," Lewis said. "I get a lot of treatment and I will just ice, ice, and ice until it starts to heal."
Lewis continued, "It is feeling a lot better today and I finally feel like it is starting to heal a little bit. I will be playing tonight, don't worry."
Perhaps the Magic's biggest worry will be having to deal with a good Utah team which features two outstanding players in Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams.
As stated below, Boozer is having a career season and Van Gundy is well aware of Boozer's capabilities.
"With Boozer you get a guy who can take you into the post score, shoot the 17 foot jump shot, or take you off the dribble to the basket, so he is a tough match-up for anyone," said Van Gundy.
Van Gundy explained how the Magic intend to guard the talented Boozer.
"We will run a lot of different people at him and whoever guards him will need a lot of help so it will be more of a team approach when guarding him."
Guarding Deron Williams will be Magic point guard Jameer Nelson who gives up nearly four inches and 20 pounds and Nelson spoke about how he plans to guard the bigger Williams.
"I am just going to try and stay in front of him forcing him to shoot over me and make it as tough as possible on him."
Making the game tough for the Jazz will be something the Magic expect to accomplish as they look to hand Utah their eighth straight road loss.
PREGAME
The Magic come home tonight hoping to start a winning streak at Amway Arena as they face the 14-13 Utah Jazz.
The team spent much of this week in the Lonestar state, splitting their Texas two-step with a close loss at Dallas followed by a close win in Houston.
Utah comes into the game having dropped eight of their last nine games, including losses in seven straight road games.
Coming off their most successful season (post Stockton-Malone) in 2006-2007 where they reached the Western Conference Finals, Utah continued their winning ways this season beginning with a 13-5 record.
However, the Jazz are in the midst of a challenging portion of their schedule with 10 out of their 13 games on the road - a stretch that has left them staring at a 5-11 record.
Despite Utah's rough stretch, the team has an extremely bright future and a solid foundation developed by future Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan. That group includes Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko and fast rising star Deron Williams.
Williams is the floor general and catalyst at the point guard position, currently ranking fourth in the NBA with 8.8 assists per game to go along with his 19.9 points average.
Boozer is Utah's workhorse and low post presence who has arguably had the best season of any big man in the league.
Arguing that statement would be Orlando's Dwight Howard and the match-up showcases two players who rank among the NBA's best in several statistical categories.
For example:
Boozer ranks fourth in scoring at 25.3 points per game while Howard's 23.5 average places him eighth.
Howard leads the league in rebounding averaging 15.1 boards and Boozer ranks tied for fifth at 11.8.
Howard's 62 percent field-goal percentage ranks him second in the league whereas Boozer's 57 percent puts him seventh.
Howard and Boozer rank first and second respectively in double-doubles with Howard posting 23 and Boozer tallying 21.
Containing Boozer, along with Deron Williams, will be the key for the Magic as they look to snap a three game home losing streak.
MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Carlos Arroyo – Questionable, sore left foot, day-to-day.
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder – underwent successful surgery on Oct. 24; will likely miss the entire season.
Rashard Lewis – Probable, neck spasms, day-to-day.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Dec. 21 vs. Utah (Orlando, FL): Orlando is 16-21 vs. Utah (10-9 at home, 6-12 at Utah) during regular season action, including 2-0 last season...Orlando has won eight of the last 11 regular season meetings overall...Orlando has won six of the last eight matchups at home and three of the last five in Salt Lake City…Carlos Arroyo spent two-plus seasons with the Jazz from 2002-05…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Utah, see p. 287 of the media guide.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. JAZZ: 43 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ Orlando, 2-18-04)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 40 pts., Karl Malone (@ Orlando, 3-12-03)
