Savage's Synopsis: Magic 91, Bobcats 88
Related Images
By Dan Savage
November 6, 2010
GAME RECAP
The Orlando Magic handled their first close contest of their 2010-11 campaign with complete composure.
Despite Dwight Howard’s foul trouble and a late injury to Vince Carter, Orlando still found a way to win.
Rashard Lewis erupted for 19 of his 22 points in the second half as the Magic held off the Charlotte Bobcats for a 91-88 road victory on Saturday night.
“I’ve been struggling with my shot lately, but I have to keep shooting and that’s what I did tonight,” Lewis explained. “I finally knocked a couple down and I got my confidence back.”
Lewis delivered 11 straight points for Orlando in the third quarter and then followed it up with an eight-point final frame. He capped off a sensational second half with a crucial jumper with 1:26 remaining in the game.
“I thought he hit big shots tonight,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy said. “It was nice to see him breakout. I thought he did a really good job.”
Quentin Richardson, who was absent from the Magic’s starting lineup the past two games, returned to the top of the rotation and delivered with a big bucket.
Orlando’s small forward drove to the basket and drilled a game-clinching layup with 9.8 seconds left to help seal the Magic’s win over the Bobcats.
“Q made a nice drive. He put the ball on the floor and took it to the basket.”
The Magic watched a 13-point fourth-quarter lead fall to one, before Richardson came through. Van Gundy attributed the collapse to a pour defense effort.
“I thought we defended very well until we went up 18,” Van Gundy said. “Then I thought we had four to five minutes of the most lackadaisical, careless defense we played all year. They got rolling, got back into the game and got excited and hit some difficult shots.”
Carter suffered a strained right hip flexor after slipping on the court with 1:45 remaining in the game. He's listed as day-to-day.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Fourth Quarter: Magic 91, Bobcats 88
Notable Storylines: The Orlando Magic were able to survive foul trouble from Dwight Howard and an injury to Vince Carter and hold on for a 91-88 victory in Charlotte. Howard picked up his fifth foul with 7:45 remaining in the contest, while Carter left with an injury with 1:45 left. Howard finished the night with 22 points and eight rebounds. Rashard Lewis continued a strong second-half showing with eight fourth-quarter points, including a critical jumper with 1:26 remaining.
Player of the Period: Rashard Lewis
Standout Moment/Stat: Quentin Richardson drove to the basket and drained a game-clinching layup with 9.8 seconds left in the contest.
Third Quarter: Magic 73, Bobcats 62
Notable Storylines: After a relatively quiet first half, Rashard Lewis exploded in the third quarter. Sweet Lewis fired off a team-high 11 points in the period and now has 14 overall. Vince Carter put his phenomenal hops on display, out-leaping Tyrus Thomas – who is four inches taller – for a jump ball with 3:13 left in the quarter. The Bobcats remain in the hunt, courtesy of a 17-5 run late in the period.
Player of the Period: Rashard Lewis
Standout Moment/Stat: Rashard Lewis scored 11 straight points for the Magic in the third, draining three 3-pointers and one jumper during that timeframe.
Second Quarter: Magic 43, Bobcats 36
Notable Storylines: The Charlotte Bobcats turned up their defensive intensity in the second quarter, holding the Orlando Magic to just 20 points in the period. Magic backup big man Brandon Bass had five of those 20, scoring them in three consecutive possessions midway through the period. Gerald Wallace erupted for seven points in the quarter and also lived up to his nickname. “Crash” did just that late in the second, smashing into Marcin Gortat, who then plowed into a cameraman.
Player of the Period: Brandon Bass
Standout Moment/Stat: The Charlotte Bobcats received a little taste of Vinsanity as Vince Carter blew past Stephen Jackson for a fantastic one-handed flush with 4:36 left in the second quarter.
First Quarter: Magic 23, Bobcats 15
Notable Storylines: The Orlando Magic made two changes in their starting lineup on Saturday. Quentin Richardson returned to the starting rotation, replacing Ryan Anderson and Chris Duhon stepped in at point guard for the injured Jameer Nelson (sprained left ankle). Although he was held scoreless in the opening frame, Duhon dished out four assists, while pulling down two rebounds. The shift in the lineup didn’t appear to affect All-NBA center Dwight Howard, who erupted for 13 first-quarter points.
Player of the Period: Dwight Howard
Standout Moment/Stat: It was a sensational start for the Magic's All-Star center. Dwight Howard scored the Orlando’s first eight points.
November 6, 2010
GAME RECAP
The Orlando Magic handled their first close contest of their 2010-11 campaign with complete composure.
Despite Dwight Howard’s foul trouble and a late injury to Vince Carter, Orlando still found a way to win.
Rashard Lewis erupted for 19 of his 22 points in the second half as the Magic held off the Charlotte Bobcats for a 91-88 road victory on Saturday night.
“I’ve been struggling with my shot lately, but I have to keep shooting and that’s what I did tonight,” Lewis explained. “I finally knocked a couple down and I got my confidence back.”
Lewis delivered 11 straight points for Orlando in the third quarter and then followed it up with an eight-point final frame. He capped off a sensational second half with a crucial jumper with 1:26 remaining in the game.
“I thought he hit big shots tonight,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy said. “It was nice to see him breakout. I thought he did a really good job.”
Quentin Richardson, who was absent from the Magic’s starting lineup the past two games, returned to the top of the rotation and delivered with a big bucket.
Orlando’s small forward drove to the basket and drilled a game-clinching layup with 9.8 seconds left to help seal the Magic’s win over the Bobcats.
“Q made a nice drive. He put the ball on the floor and took it to the basket.”
The Magic watched a 13-point fourth-quarter lead fall to one, before Richardson came through. Van Gundy attributed the collapse to a pour defense effort.
“I thought we defended very well until we went up 18,” Van Gundy said. “Then I thought we had four to five minutes of the most lackadaisical, careless defense we played all year. They got rolling, got back into the game and got excited and hit some difficult shots.”
Carter suffered a strained right hip flexor after slipping on the court with 1:45 remaining in the game. He's listed as day-to-day.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Fourth Quarter: Magic 91, Bobcats 88
Notable Storylines: The Orlando Magic were able to survive foul trouble from Dwight Howard and an injury to Vince Carter and hold on for a 91-88 victory in Charlotte. Howard picked up his fifth foul with 7:45 remaining in the contest, while Carter left with an injury with 1:45 left. Howard finished the night with 22 points and eight rebounds. Rashard Lewis continued a strong second-half showing with eight fourth-quarter points, including a critical jumper with 1:26 remaining.
Player of the Period: Rashard Lewis
Standout Moment/Stat: Quentin Richardson drove to the basket and drained a game-clinching layup with 9.8 seconds left in the contest.
Third Quarter: Magic 73, Bobcats 62
Notable Storylines: After a relatively quiet first half, Rashard Lewis exploded in the third quarter. Sweet Lewis fired off a team-high 11 points in the period and now has 14 overall. Vince Carter put his phenomenal hops on display, out-leaping Tyrus Thomas – who is four inches taller – for a jump ball with 3:13 left in the quarter. The Bobcats remain in the hunt, courtesy of a 17-5 run late in the period.
Player of the Period: Rashard Lewis
Standout Moment/Stat: Rashard Lewis scored 11 straight points for the Magic in the third, draining three 3-pointers and one jumper during that timeframe.
Second Quarter: Magic 43, Bobcats 36
Notable Storylines: The Charlotte Bobcats turned up their defensive intensity in the second quarter, holding the Orlando Magic to just 20 points in the period. Magic backup big man Brandon Bass had five of those 20, scoring them in three consecutive possessions midway through the period. Gerald Wallace erupted for seven points in the quarter and also lived up to his nickname. “Crash” did just that late in the second, smashing into Marcin Gortat, who then plowed into a cameraman.
Player of the Period: Brandon Bass
Standout Moment/Stat: The Charlotte Bobcats received a little taste of Vinsanity as Vince Carter blew past Stephen Jackson for a fantastic one-handed flush with 4:36 left in the second quarter.
First Quarter: Magic 23, Bobcats 15
Notable Storylines: The Orlando Magic made two changes in their starting lineup on Saturday. Quentin Richardson returned to the starting rotation, replacing Ryan Anderson and Chris Duhon stepped in at point guard for the injured Jameer Nelson (sprained left ankle). Although he was held scoreless in the opening frame, Duhon dished out four assists, while pulling down two rebounds. The shift in the lineup didn’t appear to affect All-NBA center Dwight Howard, who erupted for 13 first-quarter points.
Player of the Period: Dwight Howard
Standout Moment/Stat: It was a sensational start for the Magic's All-Star center. Dwight Howard scored the Orlando’s first eight points.
