If you had to ask the one thing the Magic did right in tonight's game, I'd honestly have to say that it was getting J.J. Redick minutes on the floor. Dwight Howard and the rest of the Magic got pounded on the boards tonight by a smaller team. Jeff Foster, JEFF FRIGGIN FOSTER, grabbed 18 rebounds as the Pacers out rebounded the Magic 48-34. Howard managed to score 20 points, but was getting pushed out away from the basket on almost every play. Grant Hill scored 14 points in the first quarter but only finished with 16 total. The Magic lost to the Pacers (again), 94-80.
I'm not quite sure where the team was tonight, but it wasn't in Indiana. While the team played without energy, I have to say that I think the coach might be partially at fault. The rotations seemed a little off tonight and I don't think Coach pulled the trigger early enough on some bench play. Darko Milici, Bo Outlaw and Trevor Ariza should have played a little earlier and more often throughout the game as the starters just weren't getting things done.
Hedo Turkoglu continues to be MIA on the stat sheet. Turk isn't exactly known for his defense either. He's done just enough this year to stay in good graces with the fans, but he will need to step things up a bit to hold on to that starting spot. Personally, I think Grant Hill and Hedo Turkoglu in the starting lineup is a bit much. We could start Grant and bring Turkoglu off the bench where he seems to perform better. Starting Keyon Dooling, Keith Bogans or even Ariza for their defense might make better sense here if we're not going to get the production out of Hedo we need.
With Hedo and Pat Garrity struggling this season, this all the more reason why Redick deserves at least a few minutes every night to see what he can give this team. It certainly can't be any less that what we're getting now. I'm not talking 20 minutes a game, but a few minutes here and there between quarters. If for no other reason than to get him used to playing in front of the crowd and other NBA players.
