Today's Game: Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors
by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 7:00 AM EST
in 2008/2009 Previews
358 comments
Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors, Jan 4, 2009 12:30 PM EST
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 26-7 | 13-20 | |
| January 4th, 2009 | ||
| Air Canada Centre | ||
| 12:30 PM | ||
| Sun Sports | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Jameer Nelson | PG | Will Solomon |
| Keith Bogans | SG | Anthony Parker |
| Hedo Turkoglu | SF | Jamario Moon |
| Rashard Lewis | PF | Chris Bosh |
| Dwight Howard | C | Andrea Bargnani |
| Previous Meetings: | ||
| November 18th: Magic 103, Raptors 90 | ||
Your eyes do not deceive you, Orlando Magic fans: the Toronto Raptors are indeed stuck at 13-20, fourth in the Atlantic Division, and currently out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They've won only 3 of their last 10 games, but their most recent one was a 94-73 spanking of the Houston Rockets. This is not a team to be taken lightly, especially not with noted Magic-killer Chris Bosh in the lineup. Since the 2006/2007 season, Bosh has faced the Magic six times. In those games, he's averaged 34.8 points on 57.7% shooting from the field 89.9% from the line. That last number is particularly important, since he's averaged 14.8 free throw attempts against the Magic in that span. His ability to get to the line, convert, and put the Magic in the penalty has kept the Raptors in games against them. I expect no less from him today. The key will be stopping the Raptors' other players from heating up. With all due respect to them, it shouldn't be too difficult.
Indeed, the Magic might not get a better shot at the Raptors than they will today. Starting center centre Jermaine O'Neal (knee) and point guard Jose Calderon (hamstring) are doubtful for today's game, meaning the not-very-deep Raptors will likely be short-handed. Fans in Toronto are fed-up with O'Neal's injury problems. Raptors Republic writes, "I'm not saying he has a low threshold for pain but word on the street is that he sits for an hour after each tackle in Madden '09." Zing.
Even with Bosh available, the Magic have to be heavily favored against a team that may wind up starting Will Solomon and Andrea Bargnani, right? Although Bargnani has put together a few solid games lately (15.8 points per game in his last 5 outings), Jason Kapono and Anthony Parker are very stoppable. With Calderon and O'Neal out, the Magic should win. Then again, the Rockets shouldn't have had much trouble against the Raptors on Saturday, and look what happened there. It's anyone's guess.
The Magic won't be at 100%, either. We knew that Mickael Pietrus would miss another month after breaking his right wrist, but from Kyle Hightower comes word that Keith Bogans was limited in yesterday's shootaround due to "an ongoing ankle ailment" and may be a late scratch. The smart money is on Stan Van Gundy to start Courtney Lee in Bogans' place if he's unable to go, but he could pull a fast one and start J.J. Redick instead. Such a move would keep Lee with the second unit, which thrives on his energy and hustle plays (not to mention jump shot). And Redick can succeed against the Raptors since none of their perimeter players is in any position to exploit him defensively. Redick got his first career start in these teams' first meeting this season, so it wouldn't be an unprecedented move. Just saying.
It's a Sunday matinee, with a 12:30 tip-time. Go Magic.
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The JJ starting over Courtney
thing is an interesting point. I agree with you on the rationale, I would just hate life being JJ Redick though. Think about going to bed one night hating this team and it’s coach out of frustration, then finding out your starting the next morning, then playing the game with the thought of “Oh, well once those guys get back I have no chance anyway”, then missing all of your shots because you are JJ Redick NBA version and watching the rook outplay you in every facet of the game.
I don't think any one of us would "hate life" being JJ. At the end of the day, he's still a multi-millionaire. Bench rider or not.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
I completely disagree actually,
this is the one thing JJ has worked for probably his whole life, and he has not had the success he expected. Imagine being in his position. I would not want to have all of the education and work I have put in to my career sum up to being only marginal.
Did anyone (him included) honestly think he had a chance of making it in the league while he was tearing up the NCAA?
C’mon, the two leagues are SO different… I’d say it’d be hard to find a large number of Magic fans who were happy with that selection on draft night.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
And I never said he wasn't a bust, he surely is. What I did say was it wouldn't suck to live his life making millions
to play (although sporadically) the game he loves.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
I recall
most were pretty happy, including myself. Shooters of his nature are hard to come by and at the time we were empty at the 2 spot. Go figure.
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Plus draft picks are always crap shoots
JJ had the potential to be Steve Kerr when he was first drafted (figuring he would always be open from a Dwight double-team). I was pretty optimistic when he was drafted. It just didn’t pan out.
Even though a hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ George Peppard as Banacek
Can't I make any statement I want and you would automatically believe it?
Oh fine:
http://blogs.chron.com/franblinebury/2009/01/sittin_on_the_dock_of_the_bay.html
Even though a hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ George Peppard as Banacek
haha
I was talking about a game link buddy. Sorry for the confusion.
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
Raptors beating the Rockets
Isn’t that the game where Tracy McGrady crapped out on the Rockets. There seem to be articles being written in Houston condemning the dude.
Even though a hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ George Peppard as Banacek
he would rather rest
Even though a hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ George Peppard as Banacek
Over/under on Chris Bosh for 40
I’m taking the over. He just kills us.
Even though a hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ George Peppard as Banacek
Watching via direct tv w/the ticket, my sun magic feed is not HD...
does SUN carry road games in HD?
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions
Dwight battled 3 Raptors for that board.
No Calderon, No O’Neal.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions
This is why you don't abandon the game plan of feeding Dwight religiously in the first half.
As we saw in Detroit the other night, I’m sure Stan let them have it for that.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 12:44 PM EST reply actions
I wonder if Bosh will go off on the Magic again
He usually does
Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Raptors canning everything
I do not expect Anthony Parker to hit 18-footers off the dribble the entire game.
And Dwight picks up his second foul
Here comes Marcin Gortat.
Dwight had scored all the Magic’s points so far.
Though I have to say, other players get away with that all the time
Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Bogans loses track of Parker, who gets a dunk
Stan would like a timeout.
I imagine Lee is headed into the game for Bogans.
Defense
They are running around like chickens with their headds cut off. We will lose by 20 if this keeps up. What happened to the defensive team that played Miami?
Orlando Magic – Toronto Raptors
LIVE
http://iddaliyim.tr.gg/Canli-Mac-izle-_-salon-3.htm
www.iddaliyim.tr.gg
by milleniumprince on Jan 4, 2009 12:53 PM EST reply actions
Bosh hammered on the drive, misses the shot, gets fouled, no whistle
Welcome to Dwight Howard’s world.
I freakin hate that
and refs do it constantly at every level of the game.
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
Stan will bring Cook in and...
He will hit 15 points in a row with 40 feet 3 pointers to make up for it. He’s about due for one of those type of games this year.
Magic might need to get Cookie or J.J. in there later
One of those “shot in the arm” substitutions. Cook was especially good on that West-Coast trip.
If they play like this in the 2nd quarter
I’m turning the game off. I’ve got better things to do on a Sunday afternoon than watch a basketball team suck it up.
Battie breaks the cycle with a turnaround jumper over Voskuhl on the baseline
Battie vs Voskuhl is nearly as compelling as Howard vs. Bosh
No ball movement in that last possession
Come on…don’t tell me I went to church early for this
Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"
That possession sucked
Great steal, but there was too much dribbling that resulted in turnover and dunk
Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Magic making Toronto look like...
A team that is not last place in fastbreak points
Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"
the sikh, yeah
you can hear him over the mic
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
Is it the SuperFan?
He’s at every home game in the front row, throwing stuff in the air right before an opposing player shoots. He also goes to many of the road games, he was at all of the playoff games in Orlando last year. He had great seats too.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
Dwight with the spin around Bargnani for the dunk
He’s the only Magic player who’s bringing it today
Hedo could have cut it to 6 right there, but missed it badly
Still a good shot and a good find from Jameer
That was some of the greatest ball movement I've seen by them this far.
Too bad Hedo finished it with a brick.
Rashard got lucky
I think he just threw that ball out and Lee had to chase it down
Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Courtney Lee is to errant passes as . . .
Dwight Howard is to errant alley-oop passes. You can throw it anywhere, and those two will catch up to them.
Raptors take a timeout, leading 50-44
Magic have trailed by as many as 16, but have cut it to 6.
This is a much better effort.
I love how Stan
is yelling to stop fouling Bosh. It’s like they’re so afraid of letting him score they foul him, except he gets a bunch of points at the line. haha
Raptors 56, Magic 49 at the half
Magic lucky to be in it, the way they’ve been playing. But they really picked it up in the second quarter. The game is still within reach.
After a full Van Gundy dress down in the locker room . . .
Magic will buckle down on defense in the 2nd half.
Anyone else think the Magic come up with 2 stops to start the 3rd, then Lewis hits 3s on consecutive possessions?
Sounds like a Magic thing. Lewis has gotten plenty of open looks. Just hasn’t hit them…
True, but they should be more active on the offensive glass
only 3 ORebs to 17 DRebs for the Raptors.
Washington up by four against Cleveland
They have no chance, but it would be very helpful if the Cav’s got an L
Proof that we will win
We’ve only won 2 straight, we don’t lose unless we’ve won four in a row. It’s simple math, this game is in the bag!!!
I love how you can pull stuff like this Ben,
and STILL be one of the most respected bball bloggers. haha
Parker drills another long jumper. Raptors lead, 64-56. Stan calls timeout
If he doesn’t adhere Keith Bogans securely to the bench during this timeout, I’m not sure what it’s going to take.
The Magic are getting called for a lot of ticky-tack fouls
Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Howard with the baseline spin, makes the reverse layup
He’s putting on a clinic in the post tonight.
Solomon, Bargs, and Parker
The Raptors’ unlikely big three
Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Lewis has 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists
Showing some versatility here… although all his points have come from three-point range.
time to take over
Magic are the better team, they should take over now that they have the lead. Take advantage of that momentum.
I agree
he’s doing everything else right, the shots will begin to fall if he plays like this. Of course, I’ve been saying that all season.
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
Both teams are shooting well
… Magic at 49, the Raptors at 54.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:27 PM EST reply actions
49 pct to 54 pct that is
… don’t know why the pct symbol doesn’t show up.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions
Hedo earns plenty of fouls.
The thing is he gives the verbal flop and arm flail with every shot, then when he doesn’t get the foul you’re left wondering, why not there?
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
Magic 12 of 26 on threes
… the Raptors just 2 of 9.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:29 PM EST reply actions
Howard spins baseline on Bargnani again, gets the layup, and-1 opportunity
That’s one way to snap out of a scoring slump. He hadn’t gone over 20 since his birthday (Dec. 8)
Raptors a 100 pct at the FT line
… at 11 for 11. Magic are 11 of 14.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:31 PM EST reply actions
How about that little back from San Diego
He was fantastic last night, 325 total yards or something
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
seemed fine to me
San Diego has been royally screwed this year, so if any calls go there way it can be considered karma
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
The Colts committed some dumb penalties in the OT
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
328 total yards
… the third most in postseason history.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Right, but keep in mind he also returns kicks and punts.
A starting running pack (as LT only had 5 carries) who returns kicks and punts should attain at least 250+ in any game, still, pretty impressive.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Hedo: 4-10, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 5 turnoverrs
YAY.
He has half the Magic’s turnovers; 5 other guys have 1 each.
Bosh is actually having an ordinary game against the Magic
… just 16 points on 5 of 11 shooting with 8 boards.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:34 PM EST reply actions
Seriously, who is missing their assignment?
It can’t be a play that is killing just the Magic shooting guards.
J.J. has 8 points (3-of-5 FG) with 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 11 minutes
Only made that one bad defensive mistake when he bumped Kapono
I wonder if Redick or Lee will finish the game
Redick has the hot hand.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:43 PM EST reply actions
Lewis also has a season-high in assists with 9
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:51 PM EST reply actions
Lewis is playing well
but I think it’s safe to say that he won’t be the team’s leading scorer after today
Raptors still perfect from the FT line
… 16 for 16.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:53 PM EST reply actions
thought the same thing
get above .500 first
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
Thats a good timeout for Toronto
Every possesion counts at this point.
Orlando has to win this game. We can’t lose when the Cav’s lose.
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
F'n A Turk
Jameer was wide open and you take a terrible shot. Cmon. Now Ukic puts us in a very bad spot.
If the Raptors played all season with an effort like this...
… they would have a heckuva better record than what they currently have.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 3:07 PM EST reply actions
JJ
makes me sad. I just feel bad. Because you know he’s trying, really hard, it’s jsut the confidence is gone. His swagger.
Well, it all came down to a horrible first period
We played lazy defense and they burned us. Turns out it was too big of a whloe to climb out of.
Well, lets hope Washington can hold on
that way we don’t lose ground on Cleveland. It would be even better if the Knicks could get a win as well.
Magic drop to 22-3 when leading after 3 periods
Toronto improves to 2-17 when trailing after 3 periods.
!
This was probably the Raptors' best win all season
… without two key players, no less. The Raptors shot 54% from the field, 96% from the line and outrebounded the Magic by 8, with just 9 TOs. Great effort by the Raps.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 3:12 PM EST reply actions
They should relish this win while they can
Because they won’t play this well again this season. Not against an elite team, anyway.
DH's 39 point game couldn't carry the Magic to victory
… only two other Magic players in double figures… Lewis (20 points) and Nelson (15 points).
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 3:14 PM EST reply actions
I wish we could've GAINED ground on the
Cavs. But now we’re still where we were at.
Anyone else think that maybe “the elite teams” are coming back down?
The celts, cavs, and magic have all been kind of dissapointing (comparitively) as of late. I just think maybe the whole breaking the Bulls record was kind of early.
Cavs are still in it
they may gain ground on us
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Don't know if any of you switched over
but the Wiz look terrible. they deserve the first overall pick already.
true
They don’t need guys like Rubio or Griffen. I could see them going for Mullins but he looks terrible right now
by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
Ricky Rubio is going to be the truth. That kid has all the makings of being an elite point guard over the next 15 years
any team will be lucky to get him.
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
I agree...
no one rips CP3 3 times, in like 15 minutes, and scores at will against the redeem team as is a joke.
Wizards win 80-77
James misses the last-second three
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 3:34 PM EST reply actions
now it's over
Ok, still a game and a half behind Cleveland. So it’s not a terrible day, but man it would be nice to be a half game behind Lebron.
Magic and Wizards Tuesday night
You all enjoy the rest of your Sunday and the NFL playoffs.
by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 3:38 PM EST reply actions
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