[hobojoe]

Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 7 p.m. ET


Orlando Magic
Coached by: Johnny Davis

Projected Starting Lineup:

S. Francis | C. Mobley | Grant Hill | D. Howard | K. Cato

Key Reserves:

T. Battie | H. Turkoglu | J. Nelson





Milwaukee Bucks
Coached by: Terry Porter

Projected Starting Lineup:

M. James | M. Redd | K. Van Horn | J. Smith | D. Gadzuric

Key Reserves:

Z. Pachulia | D. Mason |E. Strickland





Key Matchup:
Battle of the Shooting Guards-

Cuttino Mobley vs. Michael Redd


Game Preview

A surprise team in the NBA a year ago, the Bucks won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year, including the Magic. Milwaukee doesn’t have a franchise player, but they have several key cornerstones in Desmond Mason, Michael Redd and Erick Strickland, who all averaged over 13 points a game in the pre-season and combined for over 49 percent of the team’s scoring. The Bucks went an even 4-4 in October, losing three of their last four by an average of nearly 10 points a game. On the other hand, in the squad’s four wins, the team edged out their opponent by only a combined 10 points. Preseason Record: 4-4


The Magic are taking a huge swing of momentum into the regular season after winning their last four pre-season tests. With a win against Southeast-division rival Miami in their last game, Orlando proved to the league that it could indeed hang with anyone in the NBA. So what was that difference in the wins and losses? The team turned the ball over more than 21 times in the first three games, and only 15 times in the last four. While that number is still too high for Magic Coach Johnny Davis, the only number he will ultimately care about from now on is the one on the scoreboard. Preseason Record: 4-3


Last Meeting: The Magic fell 105-97 on March 3, 2004, at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando. Tracy McGrady tallied 31 for the home team, which only had one other player score more than 12 points in the losing effort. The Bucks, however, shot 51 percent and got 87 points from their starting five as they won their fourth contest in a row.

All-Time Series: The Magic trail in the all-time series with the Bucks 22-34, but Orlando leads 15-13 at home.

Injured List:
The Orlando Magic has placed Andrew DeClercq (right knee rehabilitation), Brandon Hunter (right Achilles tendinitis) and Mario Kasun (left knee patella tendinitis) on the Injured List.

Opening Night Festivities...include a pre-game Fan Fest on the north side of TD Waterhouse Centre; the debut of the Magic BMX Team as part of the Magic’s Total Team Entertainment stable of performers, which also includes the Magic Dancers, Stuff, Scotty B, the SMT, the new Magic Jamskaters, and more; and special performances by the Florida A&M Drumline. In addition, 10,000 Office Depot & Sunshine Network Magic Team Trading Card sets will be given away. And, as part of the NBA’s Premier Week, the Magic will also help celebrate the Basketball New Year.


My Prediction: Orlando pick's up where they left off in the preseason and beat the Bucks 102-96.

[JNice]

Nice job. So is it official that Gadzuric is starting?

This team is gonna miss Brian Skinner.

[hobojoe]

Originally posted by <b>JNice</b>!
Nice job. So is it official that Gadzuric is starting?

This team is gonna miss Brian Skinner.

I don't think anything is official in terms of the center position for Milwaukee, but from the way Porter was talking I think it's going to be Gadzuric or possibly Santiago starting opening night at least. I'm sure it'll fluxuate as the season progresses, and Zaza will get his chance, but I think to start out the season it'll be Gadzuric or Santiago.

You sure are right about Skinner, that guy is one of my favorite players in the league, and in my opinion one of the most underrated. Milwaukee tried to cover the loss by signing Etan Thomas, but of course Washington matched that offer. Skinner will be missed though, people don't realize how good he is. Good rebounder, tough defender, scrappy scorer in the post and a hard worker.

[hobojoe]

Here's what Porter said by the way:

As far as our big guys, we are still working on that. Dan Gadzuric has not played in any preseason games yet so it’s hard fore me to talk about everyone. But Daniel Santiago was a solid contributor for us last year. We have some new guys -- Zendon Hamilton, who brings a physical presence with rebounding and good defense. Zaza Pachulia is a young man who I think is just starting to get his feel for this league, 21 and he can defend around the floor extremely well. Jelani McCoy, who we have in camp and has been around the league, could do some things.

LINK

[dominikan_balla1]

should be a good game but im goin with the magic on this one

magic-95
bucks-89

[hobojoe]

Game starts in about an hour. Let's kick off the 04-05 season the right way by putting this one in the W column.

Good news for the Magic; Mike James is out for this game, so the Bucks are extremely thin at point guard. Looks like all they have there for today is Erick Strickland and Mo Williams. Dan Gadzuric is expected to start the game at center too, by the way.

[JNice]

Originally posted by <b>hobojoe</b>!
Good news for the Magic; Mike James is out for this game, so the Bucks are extremely thin at point guard. Looks like all they have there for today is Erick Strickland and Mo Williams. Dan Gadzuric is expected to start the game at center too, by the way.

Good news for two reasons:

1) Orlando PGs should have it easy
2) I picked Strickland for my fantasy team

[hobojoe]

Originally posted by <b>JNice</b>!


Good news for two reasons:

1) Orlando PGs should have it easy
2) I picked Strickland for my fantasy team

Hopefully Francis and Nelson can take advantage. I think we may even see Anthony Goldwire for the Bucks tonight. We really should win this game against a team about on the same level as us in the eyes of many. They're dealing with injuries already, and it's important to start the season on a high note.

[JNice]

Originally posted by <b>hobojoe</b>!


Hopefully Francis and Nelson can take advantage. I think we may even see Anthony Goldwire for the Bucks tonight. We really should win this game against a team about on the same level as us in the eyes of many. They're dealing with injuries already, and it's important to start the season on a high note.

I have a feeling Orlando wins this game handily.

I am excited to actually see Hill playing in a real game that counts. So much for all those people who said he'd never play another game for Orlando.

[JNice]

Sombody is lying about the 7'1" Mario Kasun, unless Dwight Howard is 7'1" also because side by side they looked about the exact same height.

[Captain Obvious]

What a dunk by Francis!!! 13-13.

[hobojoe]

A blistering pace so far, 17-15 Bucks with about 5 minutes to play in the first quarter. Francis had a huge dunk that you'll be seeing on SportsCenter tomorrow. Hill's looked great so far, creating plays and already has 6 points. We need to step up our D though, particularly inside. It may be hard to do though with Howard and Cato already with a foul each.

[Amareca]

Good opportunity for Dwight to start the season with a bang against a sorry frontcourt like Milwaukee.