By Josh Cohen & Dan Savage
Last week was perhaps one of the most extraordinary weeks in Magic history.
It started with two blockbuster trades that delivered Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark to Orlando. Subsequently after two disappointing defeats to Atlanta and Dallas, the Magic earned a blowout win over the Spurs and a stirring comeback victory over the Celtics.
While both those victories were earned differently – offensive brilliance against San Antonio and defensive persistence against Boston – the Magic appear to be back on track after losing eight of nine.
Like he has proved several times this season, Jameer Nelson continues to be Mr. Clutch. Against the Celtics with his team staring at a potential loss, Nelson buried two critical 3-pointers, including a go-ahead trey with 1:19 remaining. Earlier this year, Mighty Mouse connected on a game-winning coast-to-coast drive in New Jersey.
In spite of not having a winning record, the Nets have played better as of late. Ignited by a recent trade of its own that sent seven-year veteran Sasha Vujacic to the Garden State, New Jersey has won three of its last five games.
Vujacic, who played his first six seasons all with the L.A. Lakers, has recorded double figures in scoring in his last three games.
Also playing well is Devin Harris, who racked up 21 points and eight assists in the Nets’ last game against the Hornets. A member of the Mavericks team that advanced to the NBA Finals in 2006, Harris has overcome frequent trade speculation to enjoy a productive season thus far.
During the offseason when trade talks involving Carmelo Anthony heated up, reports circulated that Harris could be a part of the deal. For now, though, Harris remains a vital component to a team with playoff aspirations.
While almost two feet of snow landed in the tri-state area, both the Magic and Nets hope to heat up inside the Prudential Center in Newark. Watch all the action starting with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. on Sun Sports.
With a completely new look and a pool of talent that is still searching for their identity, the Cavaliers hope to eventually figure it all out this season before their playoff dreams are all but terminated.
On Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Orlando Magic will get their second look at the Cavs when the two teams square off at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers have lost 14 of their last 15 games and are currently tied for last place with the Wizards in the Eastern Conference.
Much of Cleveland’s problems became evident when its former hero, LeBron, and the Miami Heat crushed it earlier this month in one of the most watched regular season NBA games in league history.
With noticeable inspiration to prove a point, James erupted for 38 points and eight assists against the team that drafted him first overall in 2003.
Earlier this season, Orlando rolled over Cleveland at Amway Center. Dwight Howard tallied 23 points and 11 rebounds and Jameer Nelson posted 20 points and six assists.
With the Cavs lacking any sort of interior depth, Howard expects to be able to dominate inside like he has always done against Cleveland.
Two seasons ago in the conference finals against the Cavs, Superman racked up 40 points in Game 6 to help Orlando advance to the NBA Finals.
The matchup that always seems to cause intrigue is that of Nelson vs. Mo Williams – two point guards who always want to show they belong in the elite class at their position.
Tune in to FS Florida starting 6:30 p.m. for the pregame show before the Magic and Cavaliers tip off at 7 p.m.
And New Yorkers have Amar’e Stoudemire to thank.
The prized free agent acquisition has helped return the Knicks to relevance in NYC, by playing at a MVP level this season.
STAT is currently averaging an East-best 26.2 points per game, while pulling down 9.3 rebounds per contest.
"Amare's the best out there, maybe the best in the league right now,” Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni said recently. "I'm excited about this team and excited about where we can go. I'm excited about what we have.”
As a result of Stoudemire’s sensational play, the Knicks (18-12) are out to their best start in a decade and on pace to their first playoff appearance since 2004.
Their offense is nearly unstoppable, erupting for 107.9 points per game, most in the NBA.
But the Knicks are about to run into a defensive-minded Orlando Magic squad that despite all its adversity – injuries, illness and trades – still ranks as one of the league’s top 5 defenses.
Dwight Howard continues to be a force on that end of the floor, blocking 2.4 shots per game (fourth best in the NBA) and pulling down 13.1 rebounds per affair (second best).
“Great players in this league can help you win every night, because they’ll find a way,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy. “Dwight does that with his defense.”
He’ll attempt to find a way to lead Orlando to a victory against New York when the two squads go head-to-head on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
In Orlando – house of perhaps the most famous mouse in the world – Mighty Mouse still reigns supreme.
And on Christmas Day against the Celtics, Jameer Nelson displayed exactly why no one is on their way to taking his job as the floor leader of the Magic.
The Magic’s starting point guard erupted for 10 fourth-quarter points to lead Orlando to an exhilarating victory over Boston.
“I thought Jameer Nelson, he’s got the biggest heart on that team,” Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers explained. “He’s just a warrior and he does it all the time. Give him credit, I thought he was phenomenal.”
Nelson was simply amazing over the final two minutes and 32 seconds of the contest, draining two critical treys, including the go-ahead bucket with 1:19 left, to help the Magic snap the Celtics 14-game winning streak.
“I thought he was the guy on that floor, he just kept pushing and you could see it,” Rivers added. “That’s what he does and I think a lot of people miss that in him.”
Despite scoring just two points until that phenomenal fourth-quarter stretch, Nelson explained after the game that he never considered hesitating on his shot or becoming simply a distributor. And that’s why his head coach loves having him on this team.
“Jameer is never afraid,” said Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy. “Jameer has made a lot of big shots here and he’s tough in those situations and he’s been in them a lot.”
Which is exactly why Orlando will want Nelson as its starting point guard when the Magic start their Finals run this April.
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