Miami Heat 118, Orlando Magic 85

Hedo had a very efficient stat line of 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 13 minutes.

The other four starters combined to shoot 9 of 39 (23.1%) from the field, including 1 for 12 (8.3%) on threes, and 4 of 8 (50%) on free throws for 23 points, and they played between 30 and 32 minutes each.

Looking forward to a much better effort against Miami in Orlando.

then Miami went on a run and then the half came and then we collapsed in the third…

But those first 2 quarters weren’t half bad! :D?

that we need a new starting PG..Jameer cannot distribute the ball to Dwight well.. he would be the perfect 6th man (a la Jason Terry), but he just can’t cut it as the starting PG for this team if we want Dwight to improve and be happy. I really think Jameer is also butt hurt from hearing how Dwight wanted Arenas back (especially because Arenas could deliver the ball to Dwight better than Nelson), and the CP3 signs in Orlando. Hopefully we can swing a deal for Monta Ellis or Devin Harris (Utah might be interested in Jameer since his contract is shorter and Harris is probably not in their future plans).

Glen Davis did not impress that much at all..hopefully it is due to not being familiar with our system yet

I was glad to see Redick and Anderson ball it up..and Turk was playing efficiently before getting hurt…J Rich looked good too in the beginning offensively

However, I’m not panicking too much from this game considering the Heat are the best team in the NBA and have better chemistry. But I do think it would be great if we could get Harris or Ellis somehow..Harris would probably be more reailstic

Sheesh. I’m fighting a fever.

Dwight really looked disinterested to me. I’ll chalk that up to the first preseason game for now.

The Clippers have 5 PG’s on their roster: Paul, Billups, Eric Bledsoe, Mo Williams, Willie Warren… 6 if you count Randy Foye who’s more of a combo guard.

Paul isn’t going anywhere. Bledsoe is a good young player who should back up Paul. Billups and Foye will probably share the SG duties because they literally don’t have any one else to do so.
That leaves the veteran Mo Williams, and the good young prospect Willie Warren as possible trade bait. Either one of them should be better than Duhon as a bench option, and could push Nelson for starters minutes.
Maybe if we give them some wing players (Wafer or Q + Hughes) to fill out their roster and a 2nd round pick, we could pry one of them away.

The Orlando Magic’s thrilling preseason run comes to an abrupt end. Let it endure in the annals of basketball lore for generations to cherish henceforth into eternity.

defensive rotations were really good. Every time we moved the ball around to the next guy they almost always had someone waiting there with a hand in there face.

I also thought at times we made unnecessary extra passes or dribbled to much. On more than one occasion I saw both JJ and Jameer get past a screen into space and pass up on an open look , then pass to someone who was being defended and watch them put up junk.

I know its pre-season but it’s not like we had a huge roster overhaul or anything. Most of them know the SVG’s system already.

He was doing well early with average position and trying to use his speed against guys who are roughly his size which is what he should do in that situation. But in others it seemed he was trying to force up a shot when he was almost a little bit closer than the foul line. That’s not the shot he should be looking for. What also ticked me off was when he had the ball in the latter situation and a second defender came, he didn’t pass the ball out. I saw three instances where JJ or Jameer was open for a three and he didn’t get the ball to them. I get it’s the preseason and he’s the best big man in the game, but if you see a guy open and you’re double-teamed, pass it! Also, I can’t read too much into Jameer shooting 0-10. I’d say 7 or 8 of those shots were quality shots that just didn’t go in. Most were short and you can blame that on the tired legs. Only J-Rich and Anderson looked to have rested legs and have the energy to play. Jameer still had 7 assists so he wasn’t a waste, he just needs to use his size and speed to his advantage and take it to the hoop. He did that some last night but not to the extent most people would like. Turk was also doing great until that injury. I wouldn’t say he’s in “09” form, but he definitely looks better than last year and looks like he can bring a ton to the team as the secondary ball handler/facilitator when healthy. Last thing: Anderson should definitely be starting, and, depending on how JJ does in the next couple games, you could make the case for Redick to start too. He got to the line more than J-Rich and shot better than him imo, but if J-Rich drives to the hoop like he started to do in the first quarter, I think we can have a great 1-2 punch at the two-guard spot. That’s what I got from the game and I just hope the Magic come out with some more energy and rested legs. Maybe we can get a blow-out and play some rookies :P Go Magic!

1) Preseason. Matters, not.

2) Basketball is back, baby!!!!