Savage & Cohen: Magic-Nets Postgame Analysis
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November 5, 2010
By Dan Savage
ORLANDO -- The New Jersey Nets looked like an improved squad in their first visit to Orlando this season, but unfortunately for them their young center continued to look out of his element when facing the Magic’s All-Star big man.
Dwight Howard erupted for game-high 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help the Magic pull past the Nets for a 105-90 home victory on Friday night.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year looked in mid-season form as he blanketed Brook Lopez, holding him to 10 points on 3-for-17 shooting from the field.
“He’s the Defensive Player of the Year,” Nelson said of Howard’s performance. “There’s no doubt about it, he’s the best defensive player in the league on the ball and help defense. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
Lopez struggled mightily against Howard, missing his first 13 buckets. He didn’t knock down his first field goal attempt until early in the fourth quarter when Orlando’s center was resting on the sidelines.
And by that time it was too late.
Orlando erased an early 10-point deficit and surged past New Jersey, leading by as much as 20 points in the final frame.
“I thought the story for us getting a win was our defense in the third quarter,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy explained. “I thought we came out with an outstanding defensive mentality in the third quarter, played the pick-and-rolls much, much better. And I thought that quarter won the game.”
Equally impressive was Orlando’s offensive output over the final two quarters.
Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis each chipped in 10 points after halftime, while Mickael Pietrus fired off nine after the midway point.
Nelson finished with 20 points and six assists before leaving with a sprained left ankle with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Magic’s point guard injured himself after landing on Devin Harris’ foot, while defending his 3-point attempt from the corner.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Nelson said after the contest. “It’s sprained right now so initially it hurts. I just need to get as much treatment as I can, take the medicine they gave me and see how I feel tomorrow.”
X-Rays came back negative on his ankle and he hopes to play against the Bobcats on Saturday.
But before we move on to Charlotte, let’s take a look at what went well, what went wrong and the final observations from Friday’s victory over New Jersey.
By Josh Cohen
WHAT WENT RIGHT
If there was any doubt before this season that Dwight Howard was not already the most ferocious player the game has seen since Shaquille O’Neal was in his prime with the Lakers, then that argument should definitely be put to rest.
The reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year looks more nimble, fiercer and more passionate than ever before.
Howard erupted for 30 points, 16 rebounds and limited the Nets’ leading scorer on the season, Brook Lopez, to 3-of-17 shooting from the field.
“I think Dwight takes the challenge and he has respect for Lopez and plays him with respect and defends him hard,” Stan Van Gundy said.
D12, who led the NBA in field goal percentage last season (61 percent), is shooting 62 percent on the year.
Mickael Pietrus was reportedly upset following Wednesday’s game against Minnesota for his lack of playing time. But like the warrior that he is, MP didn’t let any frustration discourage him against New Jersey.
Air France helped a set a tone late in the first half and into the third quarter with outstanding defense and scorching 3-point shooting. He was so effervescent that Van Gundy decided to start him in the second half.
“I liked his energy,” the head coach said.
To be a championship caliber team, it’s imperative to remain composed even in darker times. Against New Jersey when down by 10 in the second quarter, Orlando tightened up its defense and denied its opponent from expanding its lead.
Nets Head Coach Avery Johnson saw a team that definitely has championship aspirations.
“They’re aggressive,” he said. “They deserve every free throw they get.”
WHAT WENT WRONG
In the first half, the Magic allowed the Nets too many open 3-point looks. New Jersey shot a blistering 8-of-12 from long distance.
“I thought was our pick-and-roll defense was awful,” Van Gundy said about his team in the first half.
After having arguably his best game of the season (20 points, six assists), Jameer Nelson suffered a sprained left ankle when he landed on Devin Harris’ foot late in the fourth quarter.
It’s uncertain whether Nelson will be available for Orlando’s game in Charlotte on Saturday.
FINAL OBSERVATIONS
Howard’s governance in the paint against Lopez and the team’s willingness to elevate their defensive intensity catapulted the Magic to their third win of the season.
“Everybody pushes everybody,” said Brandon Bass, who grabbed nine rebounds off the bench.
If each player, particularly the reserves, accepts their roles from game to game and resists their temptations to focus exclusively on playing time, then the Magic will have very few problems throughout the course of the season.
Besides celebrating another victory in Orlando, it may be worth observing the Miami Heat’s defeat to the New Orleans Hornets.
Trailing most of the game, the Heat suffered their second loss of the season as the supporting cast provided very little assistance to the Big Three.
By Dan Savage
ORLANDO -- The New Jersey Nets looked like an improved squad in their first visit to Orlando this season, but unfortunately for them their young center continued to look out of his element when facing the Magic’s All-Star big man.
Dwight Howard erupted for game-high 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help the Magic pull past the Nets for a 105-90 home victory on Friday night.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year looked in mid-season form as he blanketed Brook Lopez, holding him to 10 points on 3-for-17 shooting from the field.
“He’s the Defensive Player of the Year,” Nelson said of Howard’s performance. “There’s no doubt about it, he’s the best defensive player in the league on the ball and help defense. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
Lopez struggled mightily against Howard, missing his first 13 buckets. He didn’t knock down his first field goal attempt until early in the fourth quarter when Orlando’s center was resting on the sidelines.
And by that time it was too late.
Orlando erased an early 10-point deficit and surged past New Jersey, leading by as much as 20 points in the final frame.
“I thought the story for us getting a win was our defense in the third quarter,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy explained. “I thought we came out with an outstanding defensive mentality in the third quarter, played the pick-and-rolls much, much better. And I thought that quarter won the game.”
Equally impressive was Orlando’s offensive output over the final two quarters.
Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis each chipped in 10 points after halftime, while Mickael Pietrus fired off nine after the midway point.
Nelson finished with 20 points and six assists before leaving with a sprained left ankle with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Magic’s point guard injured himself after landing on Devin Harris’ foot, while defending his 3-point attempt from the corner.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Nelson said after the contest. “It’s sprained right now so initially it hurts. I just need to get as much treatment as I can, take the medicine they gave me and see how I feel tomorrow.”
X-Rays came back negative on his ankle and he hopes to play against the Bobcats on Saturday.
But before we move on to Charlotte, let’s take a look at what went well, what went wrong and the final observations from Friday’s victory over New Jersey.
By Josh Cohen
WHAT WENT RIGHT
The reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year looks more nimble, fiercer and more passionate than ever before.
Howard erupted for 30 points, 16 rebounds and limited the Nets’ leading scorer on the season, Brook Lopez, to 3-of-17 shooting from the field.
“I think Dwight takes the challenge and he has respect for Lopez and plays him with respect and defends him hard,” Stan Van Gundy said.
D12, who led the NBA in field goal percentage last season (61 percent), is shooting 62 percent on the year.
Air France helped a set a tone late in the first half and into the third quarter with outstanding defense and scorching 3-point shooting. He was so effervescent that Van Gundy decided to start him in the second half.
“I liked his energy,” the head coach said.
“They’re aggressive,” he said. “They deserve every free throw they get.”
“I thought was our pick-and-roll defense was awful,” Van Gundy said about his team in the first half.
It’s uncertain whether Nelson will be available for Orlando’s game in Charlotte on Saturday.
“Everybody pushes everybody,” said Brandon Bass, who grabbed nine rebounds off the bench.
If each player, particularly the reserves, accepts their roles from game to game and resists their temptations to focus exclusively on playing time, then the Magic will have very few problems throughout the course of the season.
Trailing most of the game, the Heat suffered their second loss of the season as the supporting cast provided very little assistance to the Big Three.
