Orlando Magic 102, Minnesota Timberwolves 89
by Evan Dunlap on Feb 14, 2012 4:08 AM EST
in 2011/2012 Recaps
Email
PrintA well-balanced scoring effort and sound defense keyed the Orlando Magic to a 102-89 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night. Orlando had six players score between 11 and 17 points, led by Jason Richardson, who continued his hot shooting. J.J. Redick, Hedo Turkoglu, and Jameer Nelson scored 14 apiece, offsetting mediocre nights from usual standouts Ryan Anderson and Dwight Howard (a combined 24 points on 9-of-23 shooting).
Orlando withstood double-doubles from All-Star power forward Kevin Love (19 points and 15 boards) and center Nikola Pekovic (16 points, 13 boards) with stifling defense, and profitted greatly from the Wolves' many mistakes, converting 18 Minnesota turnovers into 17 points.
Of the 10 Timberwolves to take the floor Tuesday, Ricky Rubio was the only one to shoot better than 50 percent from the field. The rookie point guard shot 4-of-7 for 11 points, while his teammates combined to shoot 29-of-73 (39 percent)... and Rubio himself committed five turnovers.
The Magic coasted throughout, taking the lead for good just 68 seconds into the game on a Turkoglu three-pointer. They pulled away in the second with great energy as their bench badly outplayed Minnesota's. Little-used reserve forward Earl Clark scored eight points and snared three rebounds in the period, and his strong play included a putback jam over Love, the NBA's second-leading rebounder.
| Team | Pace | Efficiency | eFG% | FT Rate | OReb% | TO Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timberwolves | 93.9 | 94.8 | 45.0% | 21.3 | 27.1 | 19.2 |
| Magic | 93.9 | 108.6 | 49.4% | 21.2 | 17.8 | 9.6 |
| Green denotes a stat better than the team's season average; red denotes a stat worse than the team's season average. | ||||||
There aren't many negatives to be found in this Magic victory. The most obvious is the continued atrocious play of backup big-man Glen Davis, who shot 1-of-10 from the floor in 23 minutes for two points. Davis' misses got so tiresome that he heard the boo-birds from the Amway Center crowd. His shot-selection, and volume, is awful and too high, respectively. Television color commentator Matt Guokas went so far as to say that Davis shouldn't even try to get open anymore, and should instead focus on setting screens.
And Howard played poorly for the second straight game. He picked up two fouls in the first period and never seemed to get into a rhythm; one can argue Pekovic outplayed him. Fortunately for Orlando, Richardson, Redick, and the rest of the Magic picked up Howard's slack. The team played with great energy and got good, in-rhythm shots because of it. And before you use the "but it's the Timberwolves!" line, consider that Minnesota ranked in the top half of the league's defenses entering Monday's game, just ahead of Orlando.
We invite you to follow Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter and like Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook.
52 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Good win... it's been a while since we've seen a nice start to finish domination by the Magic.
I’m still worried about bench production though… Duhon and Q aren’t looking to be scoring big, JJ’s consistent but not explosive, and Baby’s woefully inefficient.
There's no shame in Pekovic outplaying Dwight. Pek has been outplaying everyone. PEK DESTROY!
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
Also,
good win. The Magic were the better team (mostly through having competent wings).
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 14, 2012 5:24 AM EST up reply actions
You have a nice team going as well
I cannot wait to see the T’wolves get a couple more pieces on the wing in the offseason (or even in a trade in this season). Top 4-5 in the West next year, easy.
If the Magic must trade Dwight, Hedo better stay. He needs to retire a Magic.
by funny80sguy on Feb 14, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Trade Dwight for Pek Nao!
"Number one song and a Grammy, now I'm smashing
Maserati crashing, swerving through the traffic
Wrap it 'round a pole, sell a mil off the tragedy
I defy gravity "
by 4QB on Feb 14, 2012 8:43 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
He's too over-exposed now
At this point, it is just cliche to want Lin.
If the Magic must trade Dwight, Hedo better stay. He needs to retire a Magic.
You're right. Besides, with Otis at the wheel, doing a deal that might actually
help this team is definitely out of the question. Who the hell cares about winning when you can be an anti-conformist.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Other than Glen Davis, the bench played really well
They combined for a collective 31 points on 11 of 18 shooting, if you subtract Davis’s 2 points on 1 of 10 shooting. No Von Wafer sighting for the fifth straight game, but it’s hard to complain about that when the team is winning.
I heard Coach Van Gundy’s post game press conference on the Magic Radio Network. He said that Davis is really going through a major personal problem right now (he didn’t specify what it was), that his focus just isn’t there, and that the fans need to let up on their booing of Davis because that’s not going to make him play better.
Perhaps if SVG would allow Davis some time off to sort out his personal problems it might benefit everyone.
The 1 of 10 shooting from Davis was one of the worst shooting games of his career.
The point guard play was really a big difference in the game. Ricky Rubio and J.J. Barea combined for 12 turnovers, while Jameer Nelson and Chris Duhon combined for only one turnover. Barea’s 7 turnovers was a career-high.
The Magic’s starting wings, J-Rich and Hedo, outscored the T-Wolves starting wings, Webster and Johnson, 31-11.
Chicago Blackhawks... defense and goaltending must get better
Chicago Bears... entering a new era with Phil Emery as GM
"Orlando Pinstriped Post... the best, most modest Magic blog on the planet"
by Mike from Illinois on Feb 14, 2012 5:30 AM EST reply actions
Davis' biological father died suddenly the night before last
cut the guy some slack, he is going thru some craoo right now and shouldnt have even been on the floor but he wants to help this team (I know I know, helping would be not playing but he is getting paid big dollars)
by Magical-OverHauL on Feb 14, 2012 5:53 AM EST up reply actions
Wow, I felt bad before I knew that.
I mean, it’s not like the guy isn’t playing hard when he’s on the floor. He is still setting hard screens, he was still competing hard on defense. When the booing really got going, he was taking open jumpers that were created by the offense. His shot just looks awful right now, so he needs to take it to the rim and post more.
I’m sure someone on the coaching staff is telling him that he’s just in a slump and he needs to shoot when he’s open to break out of it. But he definitely cares. When he came off the floor in the 4th (around the 6 minute mark), he was visibly depressed and teammates were trying to raise his spirits. I could see that even from my promenade seats. I’ll only ever boo someone who quits on a game/team, but that’s just me.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
totally agree
I am a season ticket holder and I cand stand it everytime people start booing him, its wrong, our fans seem so fake at times its unbelievable
by Magical-OverHauL on Feb 14, 2012 10:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agree 100%
I can never bring myself to boo somebody who wants to be on the team. Davis is frustrating to watch sometimes, but I still like him because he is on the Magic.
If the Magic must trade Dwight, Hedo better stay. He needs to retire a Magic.
by funny80sguy on Feb 14, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You don’t boo your own team..simple as that. I don’t understand it and never will.
by Randall1178 on Feb 14, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
So you'd rather tolerate sub-par play
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 14, 2012 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Where did you hear about that story, by the way?
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
uhh......his poor play has been going on for a while. Didn't start last night.
"Generally, when I draw the play, it's just who's going where. Maybe I have not made it clear enough that we would like the ball to go in the basket."
by AB's triple double on Feb 14, 2012 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
He's been great
On the defensive side, it’s just his offense that is straight horrible. He needs to quit taking jumpers and back defenders down once he gets the ball. There is no need to boo him like people were last night. The guy works his ass off…he’s just struggling on offense.
still shouldnt be booed by his own team
He hasnt quit on the team, he is just going thru a slump… no reason to be booed
by Magical-OverHauL on Feb 14, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
His poor *offensive* play has.
He’s still been contributing on D and still sets monster screens. Yeah, he should definitely be contributing more, but again, the guy’s obviously putting effort in.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Thanks for the info
Certainly, Magic fans should be more supportive of Davis considering what he’s going through right now.
Chicago Blackhawks... defense and goaltending must get better
Chicago Bears... entering a new era with Phil Emery as GM
"Orlando Pinstriped Post... the best, most modest Magic blog on the planet"
by Mike from Illinois on Feb 14, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
I think I remember reading his grandmother passed earlier in the season, as well.
All in all, it seems like he’s having a really rough past 6 months.
Our Fair City...a campy post-apocalyptic science fiction radio epic!
by The BBQ Chicken Madness on Feb 14, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
That's correct also
Chicago Blackhawks... defense and goaltending must get better
Chicago Bears... entering a new era with Phil Emery as GM
"Orlando Pinstriped Post... the best, most modest Magic blog on the planet"
by Mike from Illinois on Feb 14, 2012 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
Then take a freakin leave of absense
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 14, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.
Then people go “This guy’s getting paid millions of dollars, suck it up.”
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
NBA players arent robots. If you lost someone close to you and your performance at work suffered, would you want your office telling you to either suck it up or take a leave of absence?
What if you were in the middle of a large project at work and were a new member trying to contribute your part? How easy is it for you to just bolt?
by JeffShann3 on Feb 15, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If that were the case I wouldn't be mailing it in
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 15, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Listen nobody will knock a player if he leaves the team so he can grieve and get some closer on a loved one's passing
Since Davis hasnt done this its affecting his play. That is my problem with him right now. He probably thought he could just deal with this but he cant
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 15, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
*closure
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 15, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
nobody said that we liked his game
There is just absolutely not reason to boo someone that bust his $$$ for our team, he sucks right now, we all see it, but we are supposed to be united as one. When we were loosing during that stretch, the effort wasnt there, that warranted boos,…but Baby is trying hard and playing hard…. unitl he quits on the team he should never be booed, NEVER…
by Magical-OverHauL on Feb 15, 2012 7:13 AM EST up reply actions
I'm sorry I cant watch sports with the team blinders on
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 15, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
I guess SVG doesnt realize that some of those boo's were directed towards him
He’s the guy making the call to put a severely struggling player in the game
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 14, 2012 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
I guess nobody realize they are booing SVG
Because nobody is?
If the Magic must trade Dwight, Hedo better stay. He needs to retire a Magic.
by funny80sguy on Feb 15, 2012 1:00 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I certainly was that game. Right when Dwight picked up his 5th foul he chose to put Davis back in the game over Ryan and Earl
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 15, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
I don't understand booing Glen Davis.
At home I scream and talk crap about him the whole game. But at the game you have to show support even if a guy isn’t playing well. That’s my take on it anyways. How else is he supposed to break out of it?
As for the rest of the game, the Magic are playing more like they were to start the season and that’s good to see. The big difference being our backcourt playing well which they weren’t at the start of the season.
The intensity has to go up, up! Not down...UP! -Stan Van Gundy
by cgsimone on Feb 14, 2012 10:56 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I agree
I was at the the game, booing is no way to get a guy going. as a new guy on the team I’m sure he’s feeling welcome.
Glad Jrich and hedo
Got some bench time. Earl Clark finally got some minutes and played well,But no von wafer!!!! Even in garbage time, c’mon van gundy!!!
I'm not surprised Howard had trouble with Pekovic
He looks just like the goon bad guy from Superman 2, who mostly thrashed Superman.
Where petulance happens
by Satch30 on Feb 14, 2012 11:40 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Amazing hah.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Well with me
The booing him ain’t that bad because he’s continually been bad and everybody (even him) knows it. That said he needs to get whatever it is under control and start taking better shots. good win for the magic. and Clark got some minutes and did good.
Clark indeed looked good.
I’d love to see him play under control on offense like that. It makes him no longer a liability when he’s not missing layups and taking jumpers that are just as bad as Glen’s.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Would it kill him to pump fake and drive???
He’s not even trying anything else. He could be crashing the boards trying to get some easy put backs. He is just settling for bad shots
I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?
by Souwantmyname on Feb 14, 2012 9:32 PM EST up reply actions
He missed two lay-ups and a close turn-around in last night's game.
"We just want to chill" - Chris Bosh.
Proud Jameer and Rashard apologist since '07
Davis is not good at midrange jump shots!
Therefore, when he takes a lot of them I feel booing is warranted.
I’m really sorry to hear about his dad, though. Maybe he ought to have taken a game off.
FInally some real Magic basketball.
I’m too happy to see a stat sheet with a balanced attack with few TOs and a nice win vs a good young upcoming team to even get close the Davis debate. More of this from the Magic please !
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Don't want to sound dismissive ... a win against a good team is always good, but let's not forget that MIN was on its 5th game in 7 nights. A real test would be on Wednesday with PHI in town.
Learning is not compulsory, but have you learned anything today?
But you do sound dismissive.
I’m just kidding. I know that they had a tough schedule, coming in from 3 tough fought loses to Memphis, Dallas and NY and Rubio was out of it. But the fact remains that we have to go back to January 11 and the win vs Portland, to find a game with 6 Magic players in double figures. And 9 TOs to 20 assists is kinda of super considering which team we’re talking about. If I had to b@tch about something, that would be the 13 Off Rebounds they allowed but hey, that’s Minessota. And yes, we got 76ers and the Heat coming up to see if they’ll keep the offense running.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
Davis is a waste
But unnecessary to boo him. Guy is still trying, he just needs to realise he’s not a 20 point scorer and cut out the long 2s.
Solid win despite Dwight not really having it. Bring on Philly.
by eltharion_doa on Feb 14, 2012 9:16 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Orlando Pinstriped Post
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Contact Us
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
- Dwyane Wade’s hot pink pants: The kind of thing you can get away with when you drop 41
- Lamar Odom to New York? Dwight Howard on the move? For now, it’s all talk
- David West hilariously denies each and every one of his young fans a high-five (VIDEO)
