Tonight's Game: Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic
by Ben Q Rock on Dec 3, 2008 5:06 PM EST
in 2008/2009 Previews
28 comments
Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic, Dec 3, 2008 7:00 PM EST
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 4-12 | 13-5 | |
| December 3rd, 2008 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| Sun Sports | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Randy Foye | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Mike Miller | SG | J.J. Redick |
| Ryan Gomes | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Al Jefferson | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| Jason Collins | C | Dwight Howard |
Jameer Nelson might be available tonight. Brian Schmitz says the Magic will know for sure once they finish their shootaround today. UPDATE: Nelson is out once again, but may be able for Friday's game against Oklahoma City. Keith Bogans says he's ready to play tonight.
No, the Minnesota Timberwolves are not a particularly good team. However, they were good enough to defeat the Orlando Magic last April (see the most maddening GameFlow of all-time), so they're not to be taken lightly. The trouble with that April loss was the Magic's total lack of focus, coupled with hot shooting nights from 'Wolves guards Randy Foye and Rashad McCants. The good news is that the Magic will be exceptionally motivated after getting pummeled in Boston on Monday night. The bad news is they don't have anyone who can guard Foye or McCants... anyone healthy, anyway. The counter to that is, I suppose, that Foye and McCants don't guard anyone either.
Even if they only manage to break even in the backcourt, the Magic should win the battle up front. Al Jefferson is a load in the low post, but he's nothing probable Defensive Player of the Year award-winner Dwight Howard can't handle. The Magic can shift Rashard Lewis to guard Jason Collins, the Timberwolves' offensively challenged starting center. Although he doesn't play many minutes, Lewis shouldn't have much trouble with rookie Kevin Love, Collins' backup.
But Howard vs. Jefferson is clearly the matchup of the night. Jefferson, for all his offensive gifts, still has trouble guarding a traffic cone. Or he used to, anyway. He's changed his defensive attitude, and as such recorded a career-high six blocked shots in a loss to Charlotte last weekend. The trade-off is that he's expending so much energy on defense that it's affected his offense. Even if Dwight has a pedestrian night offensively--say, 18 points on 50% shooting--he should be able to make up for it by shutting Jefferson down on the other end.
Another matchup to watch is McCants vs. J.J. Redick. I see no reason why Redick can't develop into a rich-man's McCants sort of player. Although his career shooting percentages don't bear it out, Redick is a purer shooter than the man they call 'Shaddy, and he likely won't require as many touches to score. He'll also turn the ball over less. Am I nuts?
I really expect a big night from the Magic. Even with a limited, seven-to-eight-man rotation, Stan Van Gundy has a coaching advantage over Randy Wittman, who's talking like a man about to be out of a job (HT: Canis Hoopus). It should be an easy victory... but last April's game should have been, too, just to show you how much that matters. (I tend to be especially bitter about losses I witnessed live and in-person.)
Head over to Canis Hoopus, SB Nation's 'Wolves blog, for the view from up North. Here's the official preview from the Timberwolves' website. The tip's at 7 on Sun Sports. Go Magic.
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New Magic TV Show
I just saw a commercial on a new Magic show coming on Friday the 5th, after David Letterman. it says Midnight Magic on my DVR, so we’ll see what happens. more good Magic TV, awesome!
Being bitter
I feel the same way. I was only able to get over to Orlando for a game once last year. IT was the Utah game a week or two before christmas. They played horrible, Stan had his infamous rant after the game. One of the worst games I’ve ever been too, Milsap tore us apart.
Anyway, should be an easy win, not worried. START LEE!!!!!
YES!
I still have my boble head from that night! sitting right next to my Orlando Magic Christmas ornament amd my bible.
by magic fanatic on Dec 3, 2008 9:47 PM EST up reply actions
Magic lead 23-17 after one
The Magic are outshooting the TWolves 53% to 35% and are 2 of 4 on threes. Magic are getting outrebounded though 15-8. The Magic have yet to grab an offensive rebound.
DH leads with 9 points.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 7:36 PM EST reply actions
Magic lead 44-38 at the half
The Magic lead despite getting pummeled on the boards 28-15, including 12-0 on the offensive boards.
The Magic are outshooting the T-Wolves 50% (16 of 32) to 35% from the field, and are 3 of 7 on threes and 9 of 12 on free throws. The T-Wolves are 0 for 5 from threes and 4 for 6 from the line. Magic have 8 turnovers, the Wolves 6.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 8:09 PM EST reply actions
Maybe a triple/double for Howard?
He has 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks at the half.
Rashard Lewis is the only other Magic in double figures with 11 points.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 8:12 PM EST reply actions
Lee's looking good
He has 4 points on 2 of 3 shooting in 16 minutes. He also has 3 steals and 2 rebounds.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 8:17 PM EST reply actions
Magic STILL don't have an offensive rebound
… but are outshooting the Wolves 53% to 36%.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 8:37 PM EST reply actions
YAY! The Magic finally got an offensive rebound
Thanks to Turk off the Howard FT miss.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 8:51 PM EST reply actions
Magic outscore the Wolves 26-12 in the third
… to lead 70-50. Magic are shooting 54% from the field to just 34% for the Wolves. Magic are 5 for 11 on threes, the Wolves 0-7.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 8:53 PM EST reply actions
DH has 20/11
and 6 blocks.
Courtney Lee is having his best game so far with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 8:55 PM EST reply actions
Three Magic players over 20 points
… Howard, Turk, and Lewis; Lee off the bench with 14 points.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 9:07 PM EST reply actions
Great game for Lee
19 points on 8 of 9 shooting.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 9:19 PM EST reply actions
Magic win 100-89
57% shooting from the Magic, including 48% on threes, while the T-Wolves shot just 42% from the field and 22% on threes.
Magic did have 19 turnovers and were outrebounded 42-31, including 16-3 offensively.
by Mike from Illinois on Dec 3, 2008 9:25 PM EST reply actions
Didn't cath it
But solid win for the Magic. Glad to see Lee have a career night and Dwight come up big against Jefferson.
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