Orlando Pinstriped Post - Magic at Thunder: Orlando makes rare trip to OKCAn Orlando Magic blog with news, rumors, analysis, and commentaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/21281/orlando-fave.jpg2013-03-16T00:00:03-04:00http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/rss/stream/38730132013-03-16T00:00:03-04:002013-03-16T00:00:03-04:00Magic at Thunder fan prediction contest results
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D3p0kNwhmLnpZ3a-6KXDvw0vS6o=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828023/large_orlandopinstripedpost.com.minimal.new.30795.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Below are the results of Orlando Pinstriped Post's Fan Predictions contest for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic's</a> loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> on March 15th, 2013.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>:
<a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/15/4108972/oklahoma-city-thunder-orlando-magic-2013-nba-schedule-preview" target="new">Magic at Thunder: Complete coverage</a>
</div>
<table cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="silver">
<th valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center">Rank</p>
</th>
<th valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>Username</p>
</th>
<th valign="bottom" width="92">
<p align="center">Points</p>
</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center">1</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>khlotsesh</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="92">
<p align="center">11</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="64" rowspan="3">
<p align="center">2</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>BigMac12111</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="92" rowspan="3">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>Mr.Hoss</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>TheGiantSquid</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="64" rowspan="2">
<p align="center">5</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>fatstan</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="92" rowspan="2">
<p align="center">4</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>guestwhat</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center">7</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>rainman52</p>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="92">
<p align="center">0</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Here are the questions, with the correct answers added in italics:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How many points will the Magic score? <em>104.</em></p></li>
<li><p>How many points will the Thunder score? <em>117.</em></p></li>
<li><p>Which player will lead the game in scoring? <em><span>Kevin Durant</span> and <span>Jameer Nelson</span> had 26 for OKC and Orlando, respectively.</em></p></li>
<li><p>How many rebounds will Magic center <span>Nikola Vučević</span> tally? <em>14.</em></p></li>
<li><p>Which Orlando player will record the team's first steal of the game? <em><span>Beno Udrih</span>.</em></p></li>
<li><p>Will Thunder forward Kevin Durant score more than or less than 24.5 points? <em>More than 24.5 points.</em></p></li>
</ol>
<p><em>Looking for <a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/orlando-magic-tickets?pubid=82145" target="blank">Orlando Magic tickets</a>? Orlando Pinstriped Post has you covered. We invite you to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/oppmagicblog" target="blank">Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter</a> and like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost" target="blank">Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook</a>.</em></p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/16/4110986/oklahoma-city-thunder-orlando-magic-2013-nba-predictionsEvan Dunlap2013-03-15T23:46:14-04:002013-03-15T23:46:14-04:00Magic at Thunder: Durant helps OKC pull away late
<figure>
<img alt="Russell Westbrook and Nik Vučević" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iCgv353oGBcslm6-IAX0IupBVJU=/0x472:2662x2247/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9836521/20130315_jla_ax3_904.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russell Westbrook and Nik Vučević | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Oklahoma City roared out to a 27-point second quarter lead, only to see Orlando come to within four points midway through the fourth quarter before the Magic ran out of gas, as four Orlando starters played at least 40 minutes.</p> <p>League-leading scorer <span>Kevin Durant</span> scored nine of his 26 points late in the fourth quarter, and point guard <span>Russell Westbrook</span> hit a key 3-pointer to help the Oklahoma City Thunder ward off a tremendous comeback effort from the Orlando Magic, 117-104.</p>
<p>Durant added nine rebounds, but turned the ball over six times. Westbrook finished with 23 points and six assists, while power forward <span>Serge Ibaka</span> added 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Strong bench play from Oklahoma City was a big factor, as the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> reserves outscored the <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Magic</a> reserves, 38-6.</p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<table class="box-score">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-left">
<span>Final - 3.15.2013 </span>
</th>
<th>1</th>
<th>2</th>
<th>3</th>
<th>4</th>
<th>Total</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name">
<span class="loss">
<a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>
</span>
</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>20</td>
<td class="highlight">104</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name">
<span class="win">
<a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>
</span>
</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>22</td>
<td class="highlight">117</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p>All five Magic starters hit double figures, led by <span>Jameer Nelson's</span> 26 points and seven assists. Center <span>Nik Vucevic</span> achieved a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds, and guard <span>Arron Afflalo</span> added 20 points despite shooting 0-for-6 from long range.</p>
<p>After <span>Tobias Harris</span> hit a three-pointer to give the Magic their only lead of the game at 3-2, the Thunder went off and rolling, outscoring the Magic, 39-26, in the opening quarter. Oklahoma City shot a blistering 71.5%, led by Westbrook, who scored ten points on 4-of-6 from the field along with four assists. Orlando was led by Vucevic and guard Nelson with eight points apiece.</p>
<p>Things only got worse in the second quarter for the visitors, as the Thunder opened the quarter making six of their first seven shots on their way to an 18-4 run to open up a huge 57-30 lead after two <span>Kevin Martin</span> free throws with 7:42 remaining in the half. Orlando then heated up, finishing the first half making eight of their last 11 shots, while Oklahoma City cooled down, missing eight of its final 14 shots of the half. That enabled the Magic to cut into the Thunder lead, but Oklahoma City still enjoyed a comfortable 73-56 halftime lead, thanks to 64.3 percent shooting, while Orlando shot 50 percent for the half.</p>
<p>The Orlando bench, missing rookie <span>Andrew Nicholson</span> due to illness, was outscored, 29-4, by the Oklahoma City bench in that first half.</p>
<p>The Thunder already had four players in double figures at the half, led by the duo of Westbrook (14 points) and Durant (12 points). Nelson led the Magic with 14 points and six assists, Vucevic had 12 points, and Harris added 11 points.</p>
<p>A <span>Kendrick Perkins</span> free throw gave the Thunder a solid 83-61 advantage five minutes into the third quarter, and looked like they would cruise to an easy victory, but the Magic had no plans to surrender at all. Orlando went on a 21-6 run to cut the Thunder lead to 89-82 with just over a minute remaining in the quarter. Vucevic scored seven points and Afflalo six points during this run to help get the Magic back in the game. The Thunder would get the lead back up to 95-84 entering the fourth.</p>
<p>A Martin jumper stretched the Oklahoma City lead to 101-88 with 10:08 remaining in the game, but Nelson scored five points to lead the Magic on a 11-2 run to cut the Thunder lead to 103-99 with 6:20 remaining. Orlando had three chances to cut the Thunder lead to two, but Afflalo and Nelson failed to convert on jumpers. With the Magic down 104-99, a Nelson layup attempt was blocked by Ibaka on a very close call that could have went either way. A three-pointer from Nelson brought the Magic to within 106-102 with 3:37 remaining, but then Durant went to work to finally help the Thunder seal the victory.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City outshot the Magic 55 percent to 43 percent for the game and pounded the Magic on the boards, 52-33. Normally an excellent free-throw shooting team, the Thunder shot only 67 percent from the charity stripe, though they did outscore the Magic 29-17 on free throws. The Thunder also committed 17 turnovers, compared to just 10 turnovers for the Magic.</p>
<p>In addition to the three Magic players with 20 points or more, Harris scored 19 points along with 6 rebounds, and 3 steals and was a perfect 10 for 10 from the free throw line. Rookie <span>Maurice Harkless</span> chipped in with 12 points and 6 steals.</p>
<p>The Orlando reserves shot a collective 3-of-12 for their six points, as three players scored two apiece.</p>
<p>The Magic travel to Milwaukee for a Sunday matinee.</p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2012-13-recaps/2013/3/15/4111004/orlando-magic-oklahoma-city-thunder-final-score-2013-kevin-durant-jameer-nelsonMike from Illinois2013-03-15T18:00:07-04:002013-03-15T18:00:07-04:00Magic at Thunder GameThread
<figure>
<img alt="DeAndre Liggins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/syZbYP2Rlg-sZ8hZseKlvY4ClZw=/0x1112:2666x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9808701/20130127_kkt_aq2_407.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>DeAndre Liggins | Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Magic play the Thunder on Friday for the first time in over a year.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando Magic</a> visit the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> on Friday, making their first visit to OKC since opening night of the 2011/12 season.</p>
<p>Game time is 7:30 PM on Fox Sports Florida in the Orlando market.</p>
<p>Register all your pre- and in-game comments in this GameThread. </p>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver">2012/2013 NBA Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/incurock31/3QC/Logos/orl_new.jpg" alt="Orlando Magic main logo"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/incurock31/3QC/Logos/oct.gif" alt="Oklahoma City Thunder main logo"></center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center>18-47 (8-22 road)<br>Lost 1</center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center>48-17 (29-4 home)<br>Won 1</center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>March 15th, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Chesapeake Energy Arena</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>8:00 PM</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Fox Sports Florida / 96.5 FM</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Possible Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Jameer Nelson</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240" bgcolor="gold"><span>Russell Westbrook</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Arron Afflalo</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Thabo Sefolosha</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Maurice Harkless</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240" bgcolor="gold"><span>Kevin Durant</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Tobias Harris</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Serge Ibaka</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Nikola Vučević</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Kendrick Perkins</span></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">91.7 (15th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">93.6 (8th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">102.3 (T-24th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">112.9 (1st)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">109.1 (26th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">102.8 (7th)</td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Game Officials</strong></th></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Tony Brothers</td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Mark Ayotte</td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Dick Bavetta</td></tr> <tr><th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"></th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p><em>Looking for </em><a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/orlando-magic-tickets?pubid=82145"><em>Orlando Magic tickets</em></a><em>? Orlando Pinstriped Post has you covered. We invite you to follow </em><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/oppmagicblog"><em>Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter</em></a><em> and like </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost"><em>Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook</em></a><em>.</em></p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/15/4109134/magic-at-thunder-game-time-tv-schedule-and-moreEvan Dunlap2013-03-15T14:45:08-04:002013-03-15T14:45:08-04:00Predict Magic at Thunder
<figure>
<img alt="Rumble" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1AepjI_v99O6TI3oEOSZ-cGntdA=/3x0:3996x2662/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9807181/20130313_ajw_ax3_310.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rumble | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Respond correctly in the comments to the questions posed in this post and earn bragging rights throughout the OPP community.</p> <p>As part of a continuing game-day feature, Orlando Pinstriped Post invites you to predict some outcomes from Friday's game between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>. </p>
<p>The winner of each week's prediction contest will receive a shout-out on OPP. </p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>How many points will the Magic score? A correct response to this question is worth one point.</p>
<ul><li><p>Correctly guessing the winner of the game, regardless of the score, is worth one point. Correctly guessing the final score for one team is worth four points. Correctly guessing the final score for each team is worth a total of ten points.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>How many points will the Thunder score? A correct response to this question is worth one point.</p>
<ul><li><p>Correctly guessing the winner of the game, regardless of the score, is worth one point. Correctly guessing the final score for one team is worth four points. Correctly guessing the final score for each team is worth a total of ten points.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>Which player will lead the game in scoring and how many points will he score?</p>
<ul><li><p>Correctly guessing the player earns you one point; correctly guessing the player and the points scored earns you a total of two points.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>How many rebounds will Magic center <span>Nikola Vučević</span> tally?</p>
<ul><li><p>Correctly guessing the number of rebounds earns you one point.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>Which Orlando player will record the team's first steal of the game?</p>
<ul><li><p>A correct response is worth three points.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>Will Thunder forward <span>Kevin Durant</span> score more than or less than 24.5 points?</p>
<ul><li><p>A correct response is worth three points. </p></li></ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Break a leg.</p>
<p><em>Looking for <a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/orlando-magic-tickets?pubid=82145" target="blank">Orlando Magic tickets</a>? Orlando Pinstriped Post has you covered. We invite you to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/oppmagicblog" target="blank">Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter</a> and like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost" target="blank">Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook</a>.</em></p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/15/4109050/oklahoma-city-thunder-orlando-magic-2013-nba-predictionsEvan Dunlap2013-03-15T14:11:40-04:002013-03-15T14:11:40-04:00Magic at Thunder: Reunion week continues in OKC
<figure>
<img alt="Kevin Durant" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qsEvOcay0In0Pd5LT9BsEJluzs4=/153x120:2253x1520/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9804299/20130313_pjc_ax3_172.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Durant | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After hosting Dwight Howard on Tuesday, the Magic visit some familiar faces in Oklahoma City.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic's</a> reunion tour continues Friday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, who employ former Magic players <span>Daniel Orton</span> and <span>DeAndre Liggins</span>, and from which organization the Magic hired new general manager Rob Hennigan. Tipoff is set for 8 PM Eastern on Fox Sports Florida in the Orlando market. The Orlando Pinstriped Post GameThread will appear at 6 PM in this StoryStream and on the cover.</p>
<p><strong>Orlando's last time out</strong>: In an emotional game in front of a packed Amway Center, the Magic lost to <span>Dwight Howard</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, 1026-97, in Howard's first game in Orlando since the Magic traded him. As a result of coach <span>Jacque Vaughn's</span> strategy, Howard scored 39 points on 25-of-39 shooting from the foul line, with 16 boards and three blocked shots. Magic forward <span>Tobias Harris</span> had 17 points and 15 boards, while <span>Jameer Nelson</span> scored 21.</p>
<p><strong>Oklahoma City's last time out</strong>: The Thunder punked the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a> on Wednesday, 110-87, behind some suffocating defense: Utah shot just 35 percent and none of its starters scored more than eight points. <span>Kevin Durant</span> led all scorers with 23 points in 29 minutes, while <span>Russell Westbrook</span> stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.</p>
<p><strong>The last meeting</strong>: Friday's game is the first between Orlando and Oklahoma City since March 1st, 2012, when the Thunder rallied to beat the Magic, 105-102, at Amway Center. Durant scored 18 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter to erase what had been an 11-point Magic lead.</p>
<p><em>Looking for <a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/orlando-magic-tickets?pubid=82145" target="blank">Orlando Magic tickets</a>? Orlando Pinstriped Post has you covered. We invite you to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/oppmagicblog" target="blank">Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter</a> and like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost" target="blank">Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook</a>.</em></p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/15/4108912/oklahoma-city-thunder-orlando-magic-2013-nba-scheduleEvan Dunlap