The Orlando Magic will have one less solid defensive option to contend with Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelto Anthony this evening. As Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports, Quentin Richardson bruised his left elbow tangling with Dwight Howard during Monday's practice and X-Rays taken today proved inconclusive.
Richardson has served as the Magic's starting small forward 18 times in 24 games, but gave way to Rashard Lewis two games ago, freeing the power forward slot for Brandon Bass to man. He received his only Did Not Play-Coach's Decision against the L.A. Clippers on Sunday night, with coach Stan Van Gundy electing to deploy Mickael Pietrus as Lewis' backup.
Richardson ranks seventh on the team in per-game scoring (7.4) and ties Lewis for fourth in rebounding (4.3). Signed primarily for his ability to knock down open three-pointers, Richardson's shooting 33.3 percent from the outside and 38.5 percent overall.
However, some injury news for tonight's game favors the Magic. Pietrus bruised his knee in the win against L.A., but the team has cleared him to play tonight. Point guard Chris Duhon, who may have lost his second-string job to Jason Williams, will return from the back strain which held him out of Sunday's game as well. Most importantly, Nuggets coach George Karl termed Chauncey Billups, his all-star point guard and a Magic-killer of the highest order, as "doubtful" due to a wrist injury.