| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 | @ |  |
| 21-31 | 38-13 | |
| February 17th, 2009 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| FSN Florida HD | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Raymond Felton | PG | Anthony Johnson |
| Raja Bell | SG | Mickael Pietrus |
| Gerald Wallace | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Boris Diaw | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| Emeka Okafor | C | Dwight Howard |
| Previous Meetings: | ||
| November 16th: Magic 90, Bobcats 85 | ||
UPDATE: the Charlotte Observer reports that Raja Bell and Gerald Wallace may return for tonight's game. If that's the case, Augustin and Radmanovic would move to the bench, and Felton would move to point guard.
The Charlotte Bobcats may have a mediocre record, but they may still prove a tough opponent for an Orlando Magic team that has lost its way without its starting point guard. To no one's surprise, new Bobcats coach Larry Brown has turned-over half the roster; Charlotte has used 23 different players this year. The addition of versatile forward/center Boris Diaw has improved the ball movement offensively,and Diaw appears to positively affect his four most talented teammates.
But there's a catch. The Bobcats are still without franchise small forward Gerald "Crash" Wallace, who is recovering from a collapsed lung. They also are not an efficient offensive team, and turnover-prone to boot. As we've discussed here ad nauseum, the Magic don't force many turnovers. However, they should be able to take advantage of the smallish, two-point-guard backcourt of Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin. Maybe Rashard Lewis, who leads Orlando with 1.1 steals per game, can tip enough of Diaw's passes to disrupt the offense, or to ignite a Magic fast break.
Tip's at 7. If Raymond Felton has a good game, Magic fans won't let Otis Smith hear the end of it. Go Magic.