Tonight's Game: Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers
by Evan Dunlap on Nov 21, 2008 10:00 AM EST
in 2008/2009 Previews
Email
PrintOrlando Magic at Indiana Pacers, Nov 21, 2008 7:00 PM EST
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 8-3 | 5-5 | |
| November 21st, 2008 | ||
| Conseco Fieldhouse | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| FSN Florida | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Jameer Nelson | PG | T.J. Ford |
| Mickael Pietrus | SG | Marquis Daniels |
| Hedo Turkoglu | SF | Danny Granger |
| Rashard Lewis | PF | Troy Murphy |
| Dwight Howard | C | Rasho Nesterovic |
I asked Indy Cornrows, SB Nation's Pacers blog, a few questions about the Magic's opponent--and about former Magic point guard/fan favorite Travis Diener. Read the q-and-a after the jump, and check out the role-reversal when I answer his questions at his site.
Some quick notes before the q-and-a:
A Magic victory tonight would make them winners of 9 games in 10 tries.
Rasho Nesterovic used to defend Dwight Howard pretty well. Then the playoffs happened. Dwight needs to get back on track. Hanging a 20/20 on Rasho would be a step in the right direction.
Mickael Pietrus is back after missing Tuesday's game with bruised ribs. Consequently, J.J. Redick is headed for the bench. Le sigh.
Danny Granger is really flippin' good. Although his career scoring average against the Magic is a fairly modest 16.7, his three-point shooting against them is obscene. In 10 games against Orlando, Granger has shot 16-of-28 from beyond the arc, or 57.1%. That ain't fair.
The q-and-a follows the jump.
Third Quarter Collapse: Danny Granger, whom the Magic passed on in the 2005 draft to select Fran Vazquez, is averaging 24.3 points per game this season, tied with Kobe Bryant for the 6th-highest average in the league; only LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, and Dirk Nowitzki score more. What are your thoughts on his development? Is he now, or will he ever be, a viable franchise player as the other players in that list are?
Indy Cornrows: Danny Granger's game has really taken off since about January of last season. Over the summer he was a one man PR machine tirelessly making appearances on behalf of the Pacers. The nice, quiet forward who deferred to Jermaine O'Neal was gone as he opened up himself and his personality to fans. He officially became the face of the franchise.
Now about his game on the court. Last year he proved he could play and score at an elite level. The next step for Danny is playing at that level consistently, night in, night out. So far this year, he's had a couple of average games but for the most part has cranked up his offensive game. He's shooting the ball well from the perimeter but also taking the ball to the hole more often and getting to the line.
I don't know if he'll ever get to the Dwyane Wade, LeBron James level, but Joe Johnson and Dirk Nowitzki are certainly within reach. Along with consistency, Danny needs to improve his ability to create his own shot when things break down. Those type of plays separate a Wade, LeBron or Kobe from other great players.
Third Quarter Collapse: The Pacers are 5-5 despite the absence of last year's second-leading scorer, Mike Dunleavy, who's out indefinitely with right knee tendinitis. How will his return impact the team?
Indy Cornrows: Dunleavy understands what Jim O'Brien expects and his style of play as well as any other player. Dun's ability to handle the ball, pass and move without the ball are reasons he excelled last year. Even though the team has played well much of the season thus far, I think Dunleavy will only help upon his return.
And no, I'm not worried about the defense falling apart. The defensive improvement has been great and Dun is not a great one-on-one defender, so a casual observer may feel his return will soften the D. I don't see it. Dunleavy plays well in the team-oriented defense the Pacers utilize and the fact that better defenders surround him this year will make him appear more productive on defense.
Third Quarter Collapse: How's Travis Diener doing in Indiana? I think a lot of Magic fans were sad to see him leave in free agency.
Indy Cornrows: Travis is a fan favorite for sure and he's a great locker room guy, as well. Unfortunately, he's been dealing with a foot injury since having surgery after last season ended. He hasn't been able to practice or play consistently and sits behind T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack on the depth chart. Once he's healthy, though, he should play more minutes. Jack has been playing a lot of SG with Dunleavy out, which makes room for Travis when he can play. Jim O'Brien recently remarked about how he thinks Travis runs the team at a perfect pace when he's on the floor.
Third Quarter Collapse: Broadly, what are the Pacers' goals for this season? What are the expectations from the fans and from management?
Indy Cornrows: I think the Pacers' primary goal is to make the playoffs. I think most fans have raised their expectations after the first 10 games against solid competition. The first 20 games for the Pacers are brutal. Prior to the season, I felt if they could start 8-12 they'd be in great shape. Unfortunately, the casual fan would see the 12 losses and figure the Pacers weren't worth watching.
Well, they've been very exciting to watch, save for about six quarters and already have 5 wins after 10 games. So, the fact that I'm optimistic with a .500 record tells you that making the playoffs is the point where expectations are set right now.
Third Quarter Collapse: In the last year-plus, the Pacers have traded Stephen Jackson, Jermaine O'Neal, and Shawne Williams; they also packed the things in Jamaal Tinsley's locker and told him not to bother reporting to training camp, if I understand the situation correctly. Is there anything else they can do, or should do, to further repair their image?
Indy Cornrows: Honestly, as far as image goes, there's only one more thing they can do -- win. The team and management have done an incredible job since May of reaching out to the community and making positive impressions with all kinds of events and charity work. The roster has seven new players and all of them have come in an offered themselves up to the community and have been embraced in return. The fact that those new guys are playing so well, working hard and staying humble has made for a lot of positive press and talk around town about the Pacers. It has been an incredible transformation.
Our thanks to Indy Cornrows for his perspective. Tip's at 7. Go Magic.
220 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
This is a game that the 06 team would have lost.
The 07 team showed last year that they were for real by winning the games they were supposed to win (and playoff series they were supposed to win) hopefully the 08 club is up for the same task, both tonight and this season in general.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Nov 21, 2008 1:02 PM EST reply actions
The Pacers have a good team
I think their offense is underachieving by a bit, and their defense is overachieving by a lot. They are a playoff team, will probably win 43 games, but are not on the same level as the Magic. This is a game we should win.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
I like the Pacers' P.A. announcer
He introduced Dwight Howard as “a 6’11” center and a member of the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team." Nice to see Dwight’s accomplishments for his country acknowledged.
And we have a boneheaded Pietrus turnover on the first possession
Steps out of bounds in the corner.
Welcome back, Mickael.
Dwight needs to hit those free throws.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
Nesterovic has nailed 3 open 20-footers
Dwight needs to get out on him. The Magic can’t afford to let Nesterovic get off.
Wish J.J. could have made his first shot
Let’s hope that doesn’t hurt his confidence.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 7:24 PM EST reply actions
This looks to be a high-scoring game
Both teams shooting well, the Magic 59, the Pacers 56.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 7:33 PM EST reply actions
Wow, JJ looks nice on the O, not so much on the D
Though I thought that was a charge. He just needs more confidence on D I think.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
Magic have gone cold
… making just 2 of their last 13 field goal attempts.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 7:47 PM EST reply actions
Johnson doing well off the bench
7 points on 2 of 2 shooting and 2 of 2 free throws
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply actions
I'm sorry...
say what you will about Orlando’s home crowd, but at least we aren’t freaking dead to the world like Indiana’s. Good lord.
At least Howard is back on track
… 14 points already and 5 rebounds after two games in a row without a double-double.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:01 PM EST reply actions
Nice jumper from Howard to end the first half
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:07 PM EST reply actions
First half stats
Both teams shooting 48% from the field, but the Pacers have a big edge at the free throw line 79% to 57%. Magic have made 6 three point field goals and the Pacers just 3 three pointers. Pacers outrebounding the Magic 22-18 and both teams with 7 turnovers.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:11 PM EST reply actions
Yahoo Sports, which I’m following the game on, changed the last bucket of the quarter to Nelson rather than Howard, who they gave credit for the basket earlier.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:14 PM EST reply actions
I thought to myself… wow, Dwight actually made a 20 footer?? Oh well… he did have a good first half though with 16 points and 6 boards and a block.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:17 PM EST reply actions
Nice first half for Nelson, too
12 points on 5 of 7 shooting with a 4/1 assist/turnover ratio.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:19 PM EST reply actions
The Magic need to get to the foul line
That’s where the Pacers have the advantage, really.
It’d also be nice if Rashard Lewis woke up. Only 5 points for him in the first half.
he did flop
What a ridiculous call. There’s no excuse for that—the ref was standing right there.
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 8:32 PM EST up reply actions
We need Turk to pick up his game
He has more turnovers (3) than points (2).
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:34 PM EST reply actions
Cook drives me nuts sometimes
Rushes a 20-footer a few possessions ago, and missed. Now he has a wide-open 3, hesitates, shuffles his feet, dribbles, and gets called for traveling.
Lewis and Turk have only combined for 13 points
We’ll need at least one of them to have a good fourth quarter if the Magic hope to pull this one out.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:39 PM EST reply actions
I can has ball movement?
No, cannot has.
The Pacers have 19 assists on 27 field goals. The Magic have 8 assists on 25 field goals. For more perspective, Rasho Nesterovic has 7 assists on his own.
Hedo's playing awful. LIke, absurdly bad.
He throws it away on one possession, leading to a Marquis Daniels 3-pointer. Pacers 75, Magic 68, with Howard going to the line.
Just got in
Can someone give me a quick evaluation of the game? Does Turk look horendous or is that just the box score?
Not just the box score
Really awful. Not making decisions quickly enough, and his shot is just way off.
4 turnovers to 3 points for Turk says it all
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:48 PM EST reply actions
wow
So is it worth watching the rest of this or should I just watch Ghost Whisperer with my girlfriend. Not sure what will be more painful
by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
Give the Magic a few minutes in the fourth
Remember how hot Hedo started the fourth against Toronto?
The Pacers made that little run at the end of the quarter with Granger on the bench
Then again, Lewis and Nelson were on the bench, too….
Turk scored 16 points the other night in the fourth; hopefully, he can do something similar tonight… 1 of 10 from the field sure stinks.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:52 PM EST reply actions
does he make them
I’m not actually watching…
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
awesome
I had a bad feeling about this game coming into the night. :(
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 8:55 PM EST up reply actions
Pacers are outshooting the Magic from the field, the three point line, the free throw line, and are outrebounding the Magic also.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:55 PM EST reply actions
I hope SVG puts in Nelson pretty soon
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:56 PM EST reply actions
lol seriously
we really should have buried the Pacers, though :-/
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
Magic call timeout. Pacers 81, Magic 75.
Magic 2-of-6 in the period, but that doesn’t count the turnovers; Pacers 1-of-9.
we're down by 6?!
I hadn’t realized. For heaven’s sake…is it really that hard to win against the Pacers??
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
This game is still winnable for the Magic despite everything
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:00 PM EST reply actions
Pacers have only 6 points more than halfway into the quarter
But the Magic only have 7 points.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:06 PM EST reply actions
Javie has it in for the Magic
I’m kidding, of course, but he just called Bogans for a loose-ball foul when Bogans clearly had tied Daniels up
Pacers have gone stone cold
… shooting just 39% now for the game after shooting 48% at the half.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:13 PM EST reply actions
Pacers have the ball with 6.2 seconds to get the shot off
The last time the Magic were in this situation this season, Rudy Gay beat them at the buzzer.
and so did Darius Washington
cool :3
Is the game still going?
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
darn, Daniels isn't in any of my old yearbooks
must’ve transferred to that other school before I got there.
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
play of the day
Can’t imagine how anything else can top that block.
by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
Nelson's missed a couple in a row now
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:30 PM EST reply actions
Dwight in the post. Come Stan, make it happen.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
I still remeber the game against Cleveland when he hit those HUGE free throws in OT.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 9:38 PM EST up reply actions
That was a weird game
Dwight was nearly perfect from the line. The Cavs wore red at home. Keith Bogans made a clutch 3.
Matt Guokas just mentioned the Pacers are the 5th-fastest team in the lead
Love it when he mentions advanced stats
He was wide open... great feed from Nelson
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:35 PM EST reply actions
Rashard Lewis = CLUTCH
speak up ’shard haters!
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Nov 21, 2008 9:35 PM EST reply actions
you won't here it from me
That’s why he makes the big bucks
by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 9:36 PM EST up reply actions
Mr. 4th quarter with the game ending rebound!!!!
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
The first comment of this thread was....
This is a game that the 06 team would have lost.
The 07 team showed last year that they were for real by winning the games they were supposed to win (and playoff series they were supposed to win) hopefully the 08 club is up for the same task, both tonight and this season in general.
Oh, they’re up for the task!
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Nov 21, 2008 9:37 PM EST reply actions
Lewis with the final 7 points for the Magic
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:37 PM EST reply actions
Wow, this win was great. Not as good as the Dallar win only because Indiana shot like crap, but still huge
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
umm, that's *Dallas
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 9:39 PM EST up reply actions
Ok guys, go home and get some sleep
Big task tomorrow. I’m pretty worried, it’s hard for me to expect 6 straight wins especially when it’s against Houston.
they gave the Wiz a drumming in the 4th and won the game :|
My parents are going. I’ll be home coughing up a lung :(
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 9:40 PM EST up reply actions
They also got 19 points from Carl Landry off the bench.
I had Landry on my bench tonight, too.
Frick.
haha and wasn't that better than watching Ghost Whisperer?
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
I must admit, my ladyfriend had it on in the background while I watched the game online. Total twist ending. I almost cried. All I know now is that true love lasts forever.
by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
NBA TV commentators are puzzled that Granger did not get a touch on that final play. Magic held the Pacers to 44 points in the third and fourth quarter and OT!
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:40 PM EST reply actions
103-91 Houston beat the Wizards
Magic going for six in a row tomorrow against the Rockets.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:42 PM EST reply actions
The Magic won despite one of Turks worst games...
He was 1 of 13 from the field with 3 points and 4 turnovers. Nelson, Howard, and Lewis all were over 20 points to pick up the slack.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:47 PM EST reply actions
He looked sick.
Plus Daniels was ballin
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Contact Us
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Roy Hibbert tap-dances to Maine
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
