The first 24 minutes are in the book, and I almost like what I see. Aside from the lack of defense, the Magic are making a conscious effort to get Dwight Howard involved in the game. Howard has 14 points and 5 rebounds as the Magic are only down 4. So far, the Magic have committed only 4 turnovers; a huge improvement from last night.
While Howard was on the floor in the first half, he was obviously able to get any shot he wanted. To start the third quarter, we go to who? Kelvin Cato. What?
Ok, we're down 18 in the fourth and the Magic start their last little push to make a game of it. Steve Francis just broke free and threw a no-look pass behind the head to Howard for a nasty dunk. I'm happy to see the kid smile after a dunk like that. It makes me feel good to know there are kids out there who still like to play the game. He's just as excited about that dunk as we are. While we are on the subject of Howard, I like the little jump shot we're seeing tonight.
A Grant Hill jumper, layup and Jameer Nelson three pointer later - we're down 7 with about 4 minutes to go. Howard is very tired, but playing through it. The Magic try to make a game of it at the end, but end up losing a very tough game 110-82.
Howard finishes with 29 points and 12 rebounds on a very solid effort tonight. Nelson chips in 22 points and Francis manages to pickup another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The difference in this game was the bench, again. The bench puts together only 7 points on the night. After having a decent bench al year, the production has all but disappeared. Magic were killed on the boards tonight as well.
I could harp on, but we all know what we do and don't like about the team. I don't want to sound like a broken record. So, let's end on a good note tonight - after a season high in turnovers last night, the Magic commit only 7 tonight (5 by Howard on terrible outlet passes).
