| 2009/2010 NBA Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 | @ |  |
| 17-11 | 21-7 | |
| December 23rd, 2009 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| FSN Florida / NBA TV | ||
| Probable Starters | ||
| Aaron Brooks | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Trevor Ariza | SG | Vince Carter |
| Shane Battier | SF | Mickael Pietrus |
| Luis Scola | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| Chuck Hayes | C | Dwight Howard |
| Game Officials | ||
| Monty McCutchen | ||
| Curtis Blair | ||
| Zach Zarba | ||
The Orlando Magic continue their long homestand to end 2009 when they host the Houston Rockets tonight at Amway Arena. Houston's been up-and-down this season--they've yet to string together more than three consecutive wins--but have exceeded expectations with a plus-.500 record without franchise center Yao Ming. Without him, the Rockets are a bunch of career role-players surrounding former superstar guard Tracy McGrady, who's recovering from multiple knee operations and playing 8 minutes per game off the bench. How the mighty--just 5 years ago, McGrady had enough clout to demand the Magic trade him, which they did--have fallen.
As Josh Robbins explains here, the Magic can't get complacent tonight. Houston is a dangerous team with speedy wings who play the passing lanes (Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier, and Aaron Brooks) as well as strong, tough big men (Chuck Hayes, Carl Landry, and Luis Scola). The Rockets are more than capable of stealing a game tonight, especially if Orlando takes them lightly.
Tip's at 7. Once again, I'm at The Am.