Tonight's Game: Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic
by Ben Q Rock on Nov 24, 2008 1:34 PM EST
in 2008/2009 Previews
32 comments
Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic, Nov 24, 2008 7:00 PM EST
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 7-8 | 9-4 | |
| November 24th, 2008 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| Sun Sports | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Luke Ridnour | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Charlie Bell | SG | Mickael Pietrus |
| Richard Jefferson | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Luc R. Mbah a Moute | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| Andrew Bogut | C | Dwight Howard |
What we have here, folks, is a classic trap game. The Orlando Magic's five-game winning streak ended Saturday night when the Houston Rockets amped-up their defense in the second half. The Milwaukee Bucks enter tonight's game just a shade below .500 despite having played most of the season without Michael Redd, their leading scorer and franchise player. Scott Skiles, the former Magic point guard who still owns the team record for total assists and assists per game, has certainly made an imprint on the team. Luc-Richard Mbah a Moute, a second-round draft pick known for his defense, rebounding, and high basketball I.Q., has already supplanted Charlie Villanueva, best known for his ability to score in bunches, in the starting lineup. Additionally, the Bucks employ Austin Croshere. That much speaks for itself.
That's really just a long way of saying the Bucks are probably a lot better than their record indicates, and the Magic should take them seriously. Orlando should win easily if its defense is up to par. As with most Skiles-coached teams, the Bucks struggle offensively. Their offensive efficiency of 102.2 is 26th in the league, and their turnover rate of 17.9 is 28th. But, as that link indicates, they are one of the league's top rebounding teams. Dwight Howard will certainly be tested tonight.
Burning question: if Hedo Turkoglu once again misses the game with the flu, who should start in his place? The Magic elected to go with Keith Bogans against the Rockets, shifting Mickael Pietrus to small forward in the process. Neither played well, and Bogans is probably best suited to be a reserve UPDATE plus, he's out for 4-to-6 weeks due to a fractured thumb sustained against the Rockets, so he isn't an option. The Magic could afford to start J.J. Redick, as Charlie Bell is not much of an offensive threat. By the same token, they could also start Courtney Lee to see how well he plays with the rest of the starting unit that's under contract after this season. Decisions, decisions.
Tip's at 7 on Sun Sports. Check out BrewHoop and The Bratwurst for Milwaukee's point of view. Go Magic! Yeah!
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Broken Thumb
Bogans is out for 4-6 weeks
'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 24, 2008 12:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the tip
FanShotted the Sentinel’s story.
by Ben Q Rock on Nov 24, 2008 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That was unexpected
A win is though
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Admiral Ackbar began his career as Captain Obvious before changing his name and being promoted
I agree, though, I think we’ll win.
by TheGiantSquid on Nov 24, 2008 2:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Fun Tidbit
… I played against Mbah a Moute when he was at Montverde in varsity basketball a few years back when I went to high school in Orlando. Irony is that Montverde was a joke in sports before they went out and started recruiting guys like him.
Glad to see he’s doing well in the NBA though.
Magic should win tonight btw, don’t think Milwaukee has the offensive firepower to match us.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Nov 24, 2008 3:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hedo is back in the line-up
Yeah, we should be fine. Hedo is gonna want to make up for his performance against Indiana.
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 4:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was gonna ask since he’s on my fantasy team. it’s between him and George Hill, and he’s been hot lately. I’m coming after you if he’s not playing
by GuapoDCole on Nov 24, 2008 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
14 first half points
say thank you
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm hoping for a break out offensive game from the Boyz'
I know the Bucks have been playing good D, but still. Dwight should own and with more minutes for Pietrus I think he’ll have a huge night.
'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 24, 2008 5:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Bucks have essentially won against every bad team and lost to every good team, though they always seem to put up a good fight (surprising to say that after last year).
It’ll be interesting to see how the Bucks defend Lewis and Hedo—with Mbah a Moute and Jefferson they can probably cover those guys a little better than most teams. Still, the Bucks have been plagued by foul trouble this year and guys like Dwight and Hedo can obviously put them under pressure in that regard.
The Bucks’ only real hope is if Bogut can stay on the court and avoid getting completely schooled. Elson and Gadzuric are garbage, so the Bucks will be in trouble if they have to play major minutes.
by Frank Madden on Nov 24, 2008 6:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Very good first quarter for the Magic
They’re shooting 67% from the field, 100% from the free throw line, and outrebounding the Bucks 11-6.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 7:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Magic lead 58-47 at the half
The Magic continue to outshoot the Bucks 58% to 48, including 50 from the three point line. Magic are shooting well also from the free throw line at 83% and are outrebounding the Bucks 18-16. Nine turnovers is a bit high for the Magic, but they have 13 assists and are passing the ball well. The reserves are pitching in with 13 points combined.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 8:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Turk must be feeling lots better
He leads the Magic with 14 points on 4 of 6 shooting. Lewis has 12 points; Nelson has a 6/0 assist/turnover ratio.
Tough half for Howard, though, as he committed three fouls and has just 4 points. He also has 4 turnovers.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 8:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Last year, this team fell when Dwight was off his game. He got frustraded, so did they.
This year if he’s off, the team steps up. That’s probably what has impressed me the most about this start.
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 8:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah… it’s nice to know the other guys step up their game if Dwight gets in foul trouble or isn’t playing well.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 8:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good time out
Bucks were taking the momentum
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 8:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Did Dwight's last free throw really just go in???
He shot it like a bullet. Good bounces for us.
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 8:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Magic have 18 more free throw attempts than the Bucks
They’ve made 22 of 29 for 76%.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 8:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Superman
four points in the first half, 13 in the 3rd quarter
3rd quarter collapse my ass.
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 8:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Magic 85-74 over the Bucks entering the fourth
Magic continue to shoot the ball well at 54% and 44% from three point range.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 8:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone know why Jameer Nelson isn't playing?
They took him out with ten minutes in the third.
Courtney Lee is playing the point now, with Redick at SG.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 9:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Don't know, watching on mute
Maybe they are testing different line ups. They always said they thought Lee could run the point.
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 9:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s kinda weird that Jameer hasn’t come back in the game since the ten minute mark of the third quarter. He was having a good game with 8 points and 6 assists, with 0 turnovers.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Johnson is doing pretty good in Nelson's place
Hopefully Lee can show something, too.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 9:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Three Magic players with 20 points
Howard, Lewis, and Turk.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 9:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good win
but I think everyone expected it.
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 9:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Magic win 107-101
Even though the Bucks outscored the Magic 84-70 from the field, the Magic outscored the Bucks 37-17 from the free throw line.
Magic attempted 54 free throws, the Bucks 21… a 33 free throw attempt difference!
Next game at Philly Wednesday night on ESPN.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 9:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Make that 108-101 Magic
…and a 38-17 free throw advantage for the Magic.
by Mike from Illinois on Nov 24, 2008 9:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thats not good
We can’t lose Nelson for very long. We can’t have Anthony Johnson as our starting pg.
by magic fanatic on Nov 24, 2008 10:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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