Orlando Magic 102, New Jersey Nets 92

by Ben Q Rock on Feb 27, 2008 10:16 AM EST in 2007/2008 Recaps Comment 2 comments

The Magic's Hedo Turkoglu is all-smiles during the Magic's 102-92 victory over the Nets on Tuesday night. Turkoglu score 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter.
Photo by Bill Kostrun, the Associated Press

Here's what Hardwood Paroxysm wrote yesterday in previewing the Magic/Nets game in its daily Ball Movements post:

Nothing Says "Magic" Like New Jersey: Well, then. Here's a nice little recipe. Let's take the team that lost it's franchise point guard and got back an injured youngster point guard, a behemoth underneatoth, and some bits and pieces. Then let's put on the other side a team that has the consistency of a malt with jello chunks in it. Tasty! Now let's put them in a game heading into the playoff stretch run while the rest of the East has improved via trades. Bake for 48 minutes at 500 degrees. Sprinkle with basil, paprika, and half-man, half-season for taste. Enjoy. Orlando at New Jersey, 7:30PM EST.

He got it absolutely right. As my dad would say (and probably did say, if he was watching), that game was not one to put in the time capsule. It was pretty brutal. Thankfully, the good guys prevailed, despite being out-hustled by a Nets team trying to prove its relevance in the East. However, even with their tough play, they needed uncharacteristically hot three-point shooting (the team connects on just 34% of its threes on the season, but managed to go 8-of-17 from deep in the first three periods) just to pull to within three points at the end of the third quarter. Ladies and gentlemen, your New Jersey Nets!

Hedo Turkoglu, as he's done all season, bailed-out the Magic in the final frame. He scored 17 points on 4-of-4 shooting, giving him 25 points for the game. It's a good thing Hedo got his clutch on, too; he and Rashard Lewis, who also finished with 25 points, were the only Magic starters to distinguish themselves.

No, really. Josh Boone outplayed Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson was largely ineffective and played less than half the game, and Maurice Evans -- although he did finish with a solid 14 points -- had his hands full guarding Vince Carter. Stop me if you've heard this one before: the Magic won a game despite not giving a great effort. Fortunately, Keyon Dooling changed the complexion of the game when he entered, scoring 10 points in the first half to give the Magic a one-point lead at the intermission.

Last night's result got me thinking: is this "favorable" schedule down the stretch really a good thing? The Magic have 23 games left to play, just six of which against teams currently above .500. Given last night's (lack of) effort, I worry about our guys getting used to being able to win games with sub-par efforts, which they obviously cannot do in the playoffs. Stan Van Gundy needs to come up with a way to keep his team motivated. Otherwise, [insert your own golf cliche here].

School duty calls, so I'm having to cut this recap short. Check out the boxscore and the GameFlow. The Magic/76ers game thread ~~will be up later~~ is up now. Yes, we play Philadelphia yet again.

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Mr. Third Quarter?

As impressive as Hedo was closing out the game, Rashard was probably even more impressive in the Third Quarter. When he got the ball in his spots he was dominant, and carried the team. Perhaps we should be more appreciative of Rashard, as he helped the team avoid the dreaded third quarter collapse? :-P But seriously, he set the stage for Hedo to close things out, and played a smart efficient game. Although he hasn't been as impressive as one would expect for his contract boxscore-wise this season, I would argue that his impact goes beyond that. He can legitimately carry the team when needed, with his effective post game. And his carrying the team in the third allows Hedo to have energy in key fourth quarter situations. (One thing I've noticed is Hedo looks alot more fresh and active in fourth quarters this year than last. Last year some of his drives to the basket were just ugly. This year, they are consistently impressive.)

Also, though Jameer looked terrible to start the game, he looked like he did at the beginning of the season in the third quarter. He did a good job facilitating and creating.

I also don't think Josh Boone outplayed Dwight. He did play a lot harder and smarter than Dwight, and if he had half the talent then he would have outplayed Dwight. But Dwight played tough defense, showing out on the perimeter, and challenging shots in the lane. (Though Boone definitely rebounded better.) He had a bad game, but still left his mark on the win.

by swamidigital on Feb 27, 2008 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Mr. Third Quarter

As impressive as Hedo was closing out the game, Rashard was probably even more impressive in the Third Quarter. When he got the ball in his spots he was dominant, and carried the team.

He did play exceptionally well in that period, and throughout the game.

But seriously, he set the stage for Hedo to close things out, and played a smart efficient game. Although he hasn't been as impressive as one would expect for his contract boxscore-wise this season, I would argue that his impact goes beyond that.

Oh, absolutely. It's no coincidence that Dwight is averaging a career-high in scoring this season. Lewis has spread the floor for him, and when Dwight's out of the game, he can go to the low block and shoot that fade-away he likes so much.

Also, though Jameer looked terrible to start the game, he looked like he did at the beginning of the season in the third quarter. He did a good job facilitating and creating.

Yes. He played within the flow of the offense, and I'd love for him to keep it up. Just stop shooting!