The Dallas Mavericks came into Orlando losing two straight and having not lost three in a row all year. Well, the Magic helped them out with that one. The Magic convincingly beat the Mavericks 108-99 after leading by as many as 18 points.
After a couple good wins, the Magic relax a little and lose a tough game to Minnesota, 103-91. Kevin Garnett did his usual thing and posted 27 points and 19 rebounds. Dwight Howard followed closely behind with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Hopefully, Howard takes away a lesson from each game he plays against Garnett. The lesson for this game, come to play and come to play hard. No matter what the record is.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Magic had a different look about them. There wasn't desperation on their faces. They didn't look like a group of young players looking for an identity. The Magic looked like a team that believed they could win a game. Any game. And tonight, it was at the expense of the Chicago Bulls. Hedo Turkoglu calmly received the ball from Jammer Nelson, dribbled left to avoid a flying defender and promptly sank a jump shot to put the Magic up for good. There was no hesitation in the move at all. It was one fluid movement - like the team rehearsed that play over and over again.
The Magic put together back-to-back wins, defeating the Golden State Warriors 103-92. While Jameer Nelson is easing back into his starting point guard spot, the team is getting great contribution from the bench. The last two games, we have seen Bo Outlaw, Carlos Arroyo and Darko Milicic contribute some productive minutes. Hedo Turkoglu showed big tonight for the Magic with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists. Anytime you get that kind of production from Hedo, you know the Magic have a chance to win.
The Magic lay down a butt-kickin tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 102-73. The team got a great contribution from the bench tonight. It looks as if Brian Hill is finally living up to his promise of playing those who come out to play. Coach said he would play those who earned it in the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, we're just now seeing a good rotation of players. There were games earlier in the year where he was only playing 7 or 8 guys and you cannot win games in the NBA like that.
Magic throw away a game in the fourth quarter, losing 123-118 to the Phoenix Suns. Grant Hill moved to the inactive list with a reaggravated sports hernia, while Jameer Nelson returned to action. Nelson came off the bench tonight, scoring 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes. Darko Milicic grabbed 10 rebounds. Carlos Arroyo had 21 points and 6 assists and Hedo Turkoglu scores 20 and dishes 5 assists.
Magic come out flat in the third quarter and end up losing another game, this time to the Lakers, 102-87. With 16 turnovers in the game and a lack of energy, the Magic just could not get enough going to take advantage of a late fourth quarter run. Carlos Arroyo, Darko Milicic and Grant Hill were the only ones who showed up tonight. It's a shame we couldn't get 2 more guys on the floor in the fourth to steal the game away from the Lakers.
