Tonight's Game: Sacramento Kings at Orlando Magic
by Evan Dunlap on Nov 1, 2008 5:00 AM EDT
in 2008/2009 Previews
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PrintSacramento Kings at Orlando Magic, Nov 1, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 0-2 | 0-2 | |
| November 1st, 2008 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| Sun Sports | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Beno Udrih | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Kevin Martin | SG | Mickael Pietrus |
| John Salmons | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Mikki Moore | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| Spencer Hawes | C | Dwight Howard |
The Orlando Magic suffered an embarrassing defeat last night at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, blowing a lead that had ballooned to as much as 15 points to a team that started 3 rookies. As hard as it is to believe, the Sacramento Kings might have had it worse last night. They dropped a 103-77 decision to the Miami Heat in South Beach, shooting 38.2% from the field and 10.5% from three-point range. They also turned the ball over on 27.1% of their possessions... and those were just the offensive problems. They let six Heat players score in double-figures. Before the season, Britt Robson of The Rake named the Kings the least-talented team in the league. So far, they haven't done anything to refute that notion.
The preview continues after the jump.
Indeed, the talent gap between the Magic and their opponent is wide, which should bode well for them. But they had the talent edge in the last two games and came up empty on both occasions. I think the third time will be the charm for Orlando tonight. Second-year center Spencer Hawes, starting for the suspended veteran Brad Miller, has played solidly on offense so far, but is a sieve on defense. Dwight Howard should have a field day on both ends of the floor; defensively, he'll check veteran forward Mikki Moore, who is only a threat on offensive rebounds and dump-offs. Dwight should be free to roam the lane for shot-blocks, because I don't believe the Beno Udrih/Bobby Jackson point guard tandem has what it takes to find the open man once Howard challenges their shot.
The only way I can tolerate a loss tonight is if the Magic bust their butts. That's it. If the Magic go all-out against the Kings and lose, it's because Kevin "Speed Racer" Martin scored 60 points on 15 shots. I wouldn't put it past him.
I am, frankly, sick of watching this team which starts three All-Star-caliber players in its frontcourt get outworked, consistently, night after night. It's time to buck the trend. With apologies to Kings coach Reggie Theus, a former Magic player, and to Tom Ziller, one of the blogosophere's finest writers, I want Orlando to romp over Sacramento. By, like, 20 points or more. Please.
Tip's at 7. I'm incommunicado basically all day and may not be around for the tip, but y'all can keep the fort down. Go Magic.
P.S. how do you like the Magic's 20th Anniversary logo in the matchup table at the top? I thought I'd use it for the second night of back-to-backs.
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If we win, please use the logo for every game. Thanks.
Yes Ben, this team’s destiny is in your hands.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
Magic lead, 59-49, at halftime. 54% shooting, only 5 TOs.
Solid performance so far. Turk is 6-of-7 for 15 points.
Let's keep it up in the second half
Yeah, very encouraging so far. Magic are dominating the boards also 24-14.
Very important… the Magic have got to finish these guys off in the second half, and not let what happened against Memphis happen again. I would hope the Magic could put the game away in the third quarter and go into the fourth with a 20 point lead… we’ll see.
I feel kinda bad for Redick… I don’t think he’s made a field goal in three games.
The starters all played well in the first half.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 1, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions
Pulling away a bit
Magic lead by 9 after a Dwight layup. Still has a free-throw to go after drawing Mikki Moore’s fourth foul.
We're getting Good Mickael tonight
15 points, 4-of-6 from the field, 7-of-7 from the line. No turnovers.
All five starters in double figures
Magic are almost at a hundred with more than eight minutes left… there’s the Magic offense that had disappeared the first two games
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 1, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions
AJ doing well off the bench
3 of 4 for 7 points, 3 assists, and a steal
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 1, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions
Huge Pietrus 3-pointer bumps the lead to 14 with a shade under 3 minutes to play
Great game from Mickael. Good bounce-back game for everyone.
20 points for Pietrus in two of three games… he only has three fouls also.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 1, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions
whoops… make that four fouls on Pietrus
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 1, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions
First win for the Magic!
Four of five starters in double figures… 55% FG shooting… 83% FT shooting… a solid rebounding advantage…. a good assist/turnover ratio…
You said it, Ben… it’s been too long.
Magic will have to play well against an improved Bulls team Monday to get back to .500
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 1, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions
Correction… all five starters in double figures… four of five with 20 pts or more.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 1, 2008 9:34 PM EDT reply actions
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