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MickyEyez · 12-12-2007, 12:48 PM

@

Orlando Magic (16-6) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (8-12)

8:00 PM EST, Bradley Center

Milwaukee Bucks

Williams/Redd/Mason/Yi/Bogut

Orlando Magic

Nelson/Bogans/Turkoglu/Lewis/Howard

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Quote:

After losing consecutive games for the first time all season, the Orlando Magic may be getting just what they need to get back on track Wednesday with a matchup against the stumbling Milwaukee Bucks.

The Southeast Division-leading Magic bring the league's best road record to Milwaukee, which is trying to avoid losing a season-high five straight games.

After squandering a 15-point second-half lead in a 115-109 home loss to Indiana on Friday, Orlando (16-6) fell to Atlanta 98-87 at home on Monday. The Magic have lost three of their last five games after losing only three of their first 17.

"It's frustrating, of course, we lost the game, but it's not the end of the world," said Rashard Lewis, who had 15 points and seven rebounds against the Hawks. "We're still 16-6, one of the best records in the league. This happens in the NBA - we lost two in a row."

Orlando's offense has been in a bit of a funk, getting held below 46.1 percent from the field - its season average - in six of the past seven games. The Magic are averaging 19.0 turnovers in their last five games after averaging just 13.0 in their previous five.

They shot a season-low 39.7 percent on Monday while turning the ball over 19 times.

"We have been struggling to find our offensive game but we just have to go back to the drawing board because we have good offensive players so we will eventually figure it out," guard Keyon Dooling said. "Reality is starting to set in a bit. If you don't pay attention to every detail, you won't win, that's the bottom line."

The Magic hope to get things turned around in Milwaukee, as they are an NBA-best 11-2 on the road.

Orlando is averaging 110.8 points in its last four games away from Amway Arena, and in its last game in Milwaukee on April 9, the Magic shot 62.5 percent in a 117-94 victory.

Orlando is winning by an average of 20.0 points during its three-game winning streak over the Bucks (8-12), and has won five of the last six meetings.

The Magic defeated Milwaukee 102-83 in each team's season opener on Oct. 31, as Orlando shot a season-high 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from 3-point range while committing just 10 turnovers.

Lewis scored a game-high 26 points against the Bucks in his Magic debut, and is averaging 26.6 points in his last five games against them while shooting 19-of-32 (59.4 percent) from 3-point range.

Dwight Howard had 16 points and 12 boards against the Bucks in October, and recorded his league-leading 18th double-double on Monday with 14 points and 18 rebounds.

Milwaukee is returning home after ending a five-game western road swing with four straight losses, capped by a 93-90 defeat at Sacramento on Monday. The Bucks have lost eight of their last nine games after winning seven of their first 11.

Things have not been much better at the Bradley Center, either, as Milwaukee has lost its last two home games by an average of 20.5 points after starting the season 6-0 at home.

"We have to rise above," Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "We have to forget what happened the game before. It gets frustrating. In order to win a basketball game, you have to play hard, play smart, and play together. We have been getting two-thirds of it usually."

Michael Redd led the Bucks with 24 points on Monday, but missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds. Redd had 25 points against the Magic earlier this season after scoring just 15 points on 3-of-16 shooting in his only game against them last season, a 99-81 loss on March 5.

Prediction: Magic 98 - Bucks 85

Shard is questionable and due to a sore neck is questionable for tonight's game as he missed the morning practice. Hopefully he is able to suit up.

Babir · 12-12-2007, 02:07 PM

GO MAGIC!
I hope we will end the losing streak...

**Brian34Cook** · 12-12-2007, 02:43 PM

Should get back on track tonight I would think.. got some stuff going on with my life right now thats bothering me so I stopped the Game Threads for now at least.. gotta get some stuff straightened out!

**Blue Magic** · 12-12-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babir

GO MAGIC!
I hope we will end the losing streak...

Yeah, it's a road game so we should win.

Babir · 12-12-2007, 05:22 PM

again too many stupid turnovers, there is no patience with the ball

Babir · 12-12-2007, 05:29 PM

can't watch this damned Jameer Nelson, he is so STUPID!!!

Babir · 12-12-2007, 05:35 PM

Mo Williams is a point guard, Jameer is just a joke

**Brian34Cook** · 12-12-2007, 05:38 PM

Err that was a bad 1st.. down 32-20

YoYoYoWasup · 12-12-2007, 05:50 PM

This team is a complete fraud. 2006-2007 all over again.

YoYoYoWasup · 12-12-2007, 06:09 PM

Dwight's FT shooting is just killing the Magic. Teams will continue to foul him until he can make them consistently. It's so frustrating, too, because he has stretches where he teases you, and then goes back to bricking them. Really frustrating.

**Blue Magic** · 12-12-2007, 06:31 PM

Yes, Turk with a three! were look'n good out of the half!

**Blue Magic** · 12-12-2007, 06:32 PM

Lol @ Yi gaurding Dwight

Babir · 12-12-2007, 07:28 PM

no effort tonight...we'll keep losing with such approach and attitude...

YoYoYoWasup · 12-12-2007, 07:31 PM

Dwight's still got a long ways to go. He's disappeared offensively the last two games.

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