Tonight's Game: Orlando Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves
by Evan Dunlap on Dec 27, 2008 9:03 PM EST
in 2008/2009 Previews
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PrintOrlando Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves, Dec 27, 2008 8:00 PM EST
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 23-6 | 5-23 | |
| December 27th, 2008 | ||
| Target Center | ||
| 8:00 PM | ||
| FSN Florida | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Jameer Nelson | PG | Kevin Ollie |
| Keith Bogans | SG | Randy Foye |
| Hedo Turkoglu | SF | Ryan Gomes |
| Rashard Lewis | PF | Craig Smith |
| Dwight Howard | C | Al Jefferson |
| Previous Meetings: | ||
| December 3rd: Magic 100, 'Wolves 89 | ||
The last time the Minnesota Timberwolves played the Orlando Magic, they were on a two-game losing streak. They had lost eleven more consecutive games until last night, when they defeated the New York Knicks. In that same time period, the Magic have gone 9-1. Yup, definitely a Tale of Two Cities sort of thing going on.
Beating the Timberwolves should be pretty simple. After all, they lose almost five times as often as they win.
Shut down Al Jefferson--much easier said than done, to be sure, but Orlando has the personnel to do it;
Keep them off the offensive glass, where rookie Kevin Love excels (second among all qualified NBA players in offensive rebound rate);
and control the pace. Three of Minnesota's five wins have come against teams ranked in the top-10 in pace factor. The Magic fall into that category, so they must caution themselves against getting too shot-happy. Then again, given how horribly Minnesota defends in transition--remember Courntey Lee picking them apart earlier this month?--maybe they can afford to get out and run a little bit.
Tip's at 8 on FSN Florida. Check AM 580 WDBO for the radio broadcast if you're like every other cable subscriber in the Orlando area. For what it's worth, Minnesota fans can't always see or hear their favorite team in their own market, either. If Keith Bogans, who has shot 5-of-29 from the field for 15 points in his last five games, starts tonight instead of Mickael Pietrus, I will be very surprised.
Go Magic.
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Ben
.. the Magic’s record is 23-6, not 23-9. Just a heads up, figured that was a typo.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Considered yourself surprised ..
Keith Bogans is starting tonight.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Magic are 9 1/2 point favorites tonight
The Magic haven’t won 7 games in a row since Brian Hill was coach… March and April of 2006.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:07 PM EST reply actions
hey!
I can’t believe they finally got past five! I thought that was a hurdle the Magic would never get past. :)
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 8:09 PM EST up reply actions
im in the tampa bay area and FSN is showing best damn sports show instead of the game
anyone else have this problem? know why?
that's strange o.O
here’s a live feed online, if FSN doesn’t cooperate.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
Wow... another quick start for the Magic
… Turk, Nelson, and Howard with 5 pts each to lead the Magic as they lead 15-2.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:16 PM EST reply actions
Howard with a 17 foot bank shot
… according to Yahoo! Sports. That might be his longest make of the season.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:29 PM EST reply actions
T-Wolves shooting just 5 of 18 so far
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:30 PM EST reply actions
Could have been a four point play by the T-Wolves
…but McCants missed the free throw.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:35 PM EST reply actions
T-Wolves outscore Magic 20-14 after Magic jumped out to a 17-2 lead
Magic only shot 5 of 14 after making 5 of their first 6.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:39 PM EST reply actions
I'm watching the Bulls/Hawks game as I'm following the Magic game
Hawks are winning 86-82 in the third.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:40 PM EST reply actions
think I'll root for the Bulls
anything to keep the Hawks lower than the Magic in the standings :)
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
Magic have made only 6 of their last 20 shots
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:47 PM EST reply actions
You mean Dwight turns the ball over
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
haha yeah
I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
I give the T-Wolves credit for battling back after falling behind so quick
I could just imagine how ticked SVG must be right about now
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:00 PM EST reply actions
he's gonna rip them to shreds
wish I could watch >:(
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
lol I don't think you do
maybe it was the feed, but they looked like they were wearing ’80s nostalgia, with really big hair and leotards.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:06 PM EST up reply actions
why anyone would subject the unsuspecting public to that is beyong me :((
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
whyyy? :(
never celebrate the 80s. They wore leg warmers.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
A black cat crossed my path today
While I was driving through my neighborhood. Took it as a bad sign for the game tonight.
Just saying.
I have a cat that is all black
… but she’s good luck for me :-)
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:09 PM EST up reply actions
Wolves getting a standing ovation going into the half
55-53, Wolves lead.
It was 15-2, Orlando, at one point.
Disgusting.
You guys are some real guards away .....
….from being really, really dangerous. How is Courtney Lee coming along? He looked good against the Wolves last time.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
Lee's awesome
Dumb turnovers (see previous travel) but overall he’s a plus defender. Good on offense, too, especially on the break.
TWolves 4 of 5 from three point range Magic 5 of 11
SVG has got to be ticked about the Magic D… 33 points allowed in the second.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:13 PM EST reply actions
we lost our final regular home game last season to them as well.
my dad was at the game, sitting on the floor for the first time ever. >:(
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
my dad didn't care
he was too happy to be sitting in those seats, but it pissed me the hell off.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:17 PM EST up reply actions
The Wolves started out the season trying to be...
…a slow-paced defensive team under Randy Wittman. They have since given that up and are starting to rev things up a bit under McHale. They have 2 guards who can get into the lane (Bassy + Foye) and 2 guys who can really, really stroke the 3 (Miller + McCants). Orlando plays quickly enough where they can play the style of play that best fits what they should be doing.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
The radio is recapping the Magic's trade of Mike Miller for Drew Gooden and Gordan Giricek
I’d rather not relive that moment in Magic history.
I hate that damn LeBron-throwing-chalk-into-the-air-everone-else-do-it-too! commercial
I hate everything right now! >:( RAWR.
I hope the Magic can take care of business in the second half
… so we all can be a little happier
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
yeah this game isn't helping my RAGE
especially after hearing that the judge in the Watchmen case ruled FOR Fox *cries * Meaning WB might not be able to release it DDDDDDD:
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
Hawks are about to beat the Bulls
… they lead 121-112, even though Rose has a career-high 27 points. Hawks continue to impress.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:24 PM EST reply actions
yeah, poor Wiz
only their 5th win :-/ alllmost beat the Cavs the other night, too.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
Hopefully he's found his touch after shooting terrible the previous four games
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:33 PM EST up reply actions
he's been reeeally off lately
after playing so well when Pietrus was out. Dunno what’s up with him.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:33 PM EST up reply actions
I know he played for the Magic once
How many different NBA teams has he played for? I would bet at least 8.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:33 PM EST up reply actions
WOW
I gotta check basketball-reference.com later on to see all the teams he played for.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:36 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks for the research Ben
Now I don’t have to look later on.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:39 PM EST up reply actions
The experts are right... we need a point guard
… now maybe Jameer will go off and wind up with about 25 points.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:37 PM EST up reply actions
You'd think that McHale....
…would have learned from the 1st quarter that his starting lineup doesn’t exactly match up well and we’re seeing a repeat of the game’s first 8 minutes. Craig Smith and Kevin Ollie don’t belong out there against these guys.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
Yes...
…Bassy is able to get into the lane at will against the Magic guards.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
Can he do anything with it while he's in there?
He’s shooting 32%. I guess he could try getting the drive-and-kick game going.
He's slowly developing...
….some shot discretion. He only took 1 three last night and got to the line 13 times. He’s given up the floater and done little more than drive, kick, or get to the line since he made his way out of the dog house.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
Probably won't live up to the hype
But the way you tell it makes it sound like he’ll be at least a competent, replacement-level player.
He has the tools to be an above average starter....
…and I’m not comparing him to Parker, but he needs to take a page from the TP handbook: give up the 3 ball, get into the lane, and either go for the layup or the kickout. I think only TP and Westbrook are quicker with the ball than he is. With guys like McCants and Miller on the perimeter and Love and Gomes in the high post/mid range wing, he should be able to get 8-10 apg just by driving and kicking.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
Think he's enjoying his year off
Maybe he’ll go to grad school or something. I’m sure the Magic would welcome him into the community ambassador role with Anderson and Bo.
well that was a lot of crap that just happened
missed lob by Dwight, Wolves advance, turn it over, but Johnson loses it, Wolves get it back, then make three attempts before scoring.
*cries*
how many points has that resulted in for the Wolves?
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:53 PM EST up reply actions
Does howard always hit this many people in the face?
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
he gave Jameer a knock to the jaw last year, and was teh reason Battie was out the entire 07-08 season, and why Brian Cook was out during the finals
so yes
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
...and that was "the" reason... not "teh"
another typo TGS … just teasing again :-)
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
Magic up, 79-74, going into the final period
It’s been a rough night. Dennis Neumann just said, “How has this team won only 5 games all year?”
At least our defense was better
… Magic outscored the T-Wolves 26-19 in the third.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 9:53 PM EST reply actions
Wolves countering with Telfair, McCants, Carney, Gomes, and Love
Their going small is hurting the Magic.
Weird to think the Magic’s “small ball” lineup includes playing the 6’10" Turkoglu at PF.
T-Wolves 8 of 11 on threes
They shot them well last night against the Knicks also…. 13 of 27 I believe
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:00 PM EST reply actions
Wow... bad news
Jameer’s streak of scoring in double digits will probably end… he has 8 points.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
jammed toe's got to hurt, though
jammed my pinky finger years ago and it was no picnic
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
CLee is minus 12 in just 12 minutes
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:01 PM EST reply actions
Magic get a bucket coming out of the timeout, then force a 24-sec. violation
Just what Stan wanted to see, I imagine.
Thank goodness the Wolves are struggling from the line
… just 14 of 24.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:04 PM EST reply actions
which is just sad, b/c we really should be dominating this team
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
Wolves are shooting 73% on threes, just 58% from the free throw line
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
I tried to take a picture of the stats at the GSW game, but for a while it showed the Magic shooting 60% from the line and 70% from three
Or something like that.
I kept forgetting to take the actual picture, though.
by Evan Dunlap on Dec 27, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
sad
but our good FT shooting tonight has really helped make up for a lot of other deficiencies.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
5:37 to play
if the Wolves keep drilling threes, that lead will evaporate quickly.
Then again, they have to be able to get actual shots off first.
by Evan Dunlap on Dec 27, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
true
ugh I hope our defense keeps up. This game is giving me heartburn.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Turk with 7 rebounds, Lewis with 6 boards, DH with 5 boards
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:13 PM EST reply actions
Al Jefferson is struggling
just 7 of 21 from the field for 16 points.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:14 PM EST reply actions
Anyone else think it's funny that Lee is our crunch-time shooting guard?
He leapfrogged Bogans and Pietrus in that role very quickly
consistency
we need it, and he delivers :)
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
McCants with 21 off the bench leads the T-Wolves
He’s 4 of 5 on threes, 3 of 8 from the FT line…. go figure!
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:15 PM EST reply actions
He has as many blocks as rebounds also
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
I believe the 17 points is Howard's high since he came back from sitting out the two games
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:20 PM EST reply actions
I got his signed shoe, btw!!
it’s huge o.O
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
Does anyone else wish like me that Dwight should skip the slam-dunk contest this year?
… to rest his knee.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:21 PM EST reply actions
As someone who has been in a dunk contest...
…I don’t think that’s the thing you worry about. It’s the All Star game itself. so much more can go wrong. The guy pretty much puts on a dunk contest in warmups every night.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
he's very determined to do it
I think he thinks it’s expected of him to defend his title, or something…
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
seriously, where's this Turk been all year??
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
He woke up against New Orleans
Maybe he’s snapping out of his season-long slump
by Evan Dunlap on Dec 27, 2008 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
wow :3
that’s so awesome….and coupled with the Celtics losing last night. Ahhh I’m in heaven.
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
Holy Crap... Jameer has 20 points now!
… after we were all teasing that the Magic should get rid of him\ because he’s a bum
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:24 PM EST reply actions
Magic lead, 114-94, with a little over a minute to play
Nelson, Lewis, and Turkoglu combine for 70.
70!
mm cherry...
I wonder if I have any to go on my ice cream
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:25 PM EST up reply actions
See?! You were all upset for nothing at the half!
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
lol
but I have to overreact!! Then when we win, I’m pleasantly surprised :D
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:30 PM EST up reply actions
What an awesome fourth quarter for the Magic
… outscoring the Wolves 39-20!
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:27 PM EST reply actions
Give the Wolves their credit
they played very well in the first half. Definitely gave the Magic a run for their money.
The Magic have gained 2 games on the Celtics since Christmas
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:28 PM EST reply actions
Magic stats
42 rebounds, 20 assists, 53.8% from the field, 80.0% on FTs, 50.0% on threes, 9 steals, 14 TOs, 8 blocks
Wolves' stats
40 rebounds, 17 assists, 41.2% from the field, an icy 57.1% on FTs, 61.5% on threes, 12 steals (!), 14 TOs, 4 blocks
After falling behind 60-53 early in the third, Magic outscored the Wolves 65-34
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:32 PM EST reply actions
Remember early in the season we were all concerned because the Magic weren't shooting threes well?
The Magic continue to tear it up from three point range; they shot 12 of 24 tonight.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:34 PM EST reply actions
I was just thinking about that!
it seemed like at the beginning of the season that so many things weren’t working out. It’s funny that so many of our guys getting injured ended up as a blessing in disguise :)
by TheGiantSquid on Dec 27, 2008 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
Remember the first game against the Hawks?
Magic shot something like 4 of 25 on threes.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
ahhh great game, all
I need ice cream now, and would totally want a cigarette if I smoked ;D Night, all!
We wouldn't want you to start smoking!
Stick with the ice cream :-) Talk to ya later TGS… goodnight
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
Magic have won 7 in a row for the first time since March-April of 2006
… when Brian Hill was coach.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:38 PM EST reply actions
Three Magic players with 20 or more...
Turk 26 pts; Lewis 24 pts; Nelson 20 pts.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 27, 2008 10:43 PM EST reply actions
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