Magic win a close game over the Clippers, 91-86. The score was close most of the game and the Magic tried to put it away in the final minutes but the Clippers made things difficult. Jameer Nelson had a huge game, scoring 29 points and dishing out 4 assists with only 1 turnover. This was definitely an improvement for Nelson compared to the last few weeks. Dwight Howard dropped in 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to help the cause.
There were a couple things that I thought the Magic did well tonight. First, you could tell a difference in the defensive intensity. The team played with purpose tonight and that helped them through a few sluggish moments in the first half. Fortunately, the 19 turnovers equaled the Clippers turnovers. Second, Trevor Ariza is starting to get solid minutes and provide this team a all-out effort every night. Ariza finished with 14 points, 2 steals and 5 rebounds tonight - though stats hardly tell the story of how he contributes to the team. The energy he brings to the floor is impressive. Lastly, Bo Outlaw got decent 'energy' minutes tonight. I thought Outlaw provided energy at a time when the Magic were in desparate need. His five rebounds in 16 minutes mostly came off of flat-out hustle plays.
Oh, the fact that Redick is picking up just a few minutes here and there will pay off in a month or so when he is comfortable with the speed of the game. I've been asking for this all season. We don't need major minutes or a rookie of the year campaign from him - but we do need him on the floor. Sadly, as this transition starts - I believe we may have seen the last of Pat Garrity in a Magic uniform. Garrity just hasn't been himself since the knee injury a few years back.
