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MickyEyez · 01-16-2008, 09:33 AM

@

Orlando Magic (24-16) vs. Charlotte Bobcats (14-23)

7:00 PM EST, Charlotte Bobcats Arena

Charlotte Bobcats

McInnis/Felton/Richardson/Wallace/Okafor

Orlando Magic

Nelson/Evans/Turkoglu/Lewis/Howard

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Quote:

The Orlando Magic may be a little disappointed to see their season series against the Charlotte Bobcats conclude.

The Southeast Division-leading Magic look for their first ever season-series sweep over the Bobcats as they meet Wednesday in Charlotte.

Orlando (24-16) defeated Chicago 102-88 on Tuesday to win for just the second time in seven games in 2008. The Magic led by five points at the half before outscoring the Bulls 32-10 in the decisive third quarter.

"Coach (Stan Van Gundy) came into the locker room and got onto us about our energy at home," Magic forward Dwight Howard said. "We need to really pick up the intensity."

Howard had 15 points and 11 rebounds on Tuesday, and has been a big reason for Orlando's success over Charlotte this season.

The Magic, who are 6-1 in the Southeast, have won their first three games over the Bobcats by an average of 12.7 points, and their 103-87 victory in Charlotte on Dec. 14 snapped a three-game losing streak there.

Howard had 33 points on 11-of-16 shooting and 18 boards in Charlotte last month, and is averaging 27.3 points on 67.5 percent shooting and 18.7 rebounds against the Bobcats this season.

Rashard Lewis had 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting - including 4-of-5 from beyond the 3-point arc - against the Bulls. Lewis is averaging 23.2 points in his last five games after averaging 16.1 points in his previous 11.

"It's time for me to get a little more aggressive," Lewis said. "I can't just sit out on the wing and be a three-point shooter. That's really not my game. I can do a lot more things for this team."

Lewis has not had much success against Charlotte, however, averaging 14.3 points on 38.5 percent shooting in the three games.

The Bobcats (14-23) defeated Denver 119-116 on Monday to win their first game since stunning NBA-best Boston last Wednesday.

Charlotte, which has won three of five, followed up its win over the Celtics with a double-overtime loss to Cleveland and a disputed overtime defeat to Detroit on Monday, in which a basket interference call with 1.5 seconds left in overtime wiped out the Bobcats' go-ahead basket.

"The Bobcats are a whole lot better team than their record shows," Nuggets center Marcus Camby said. "They beat Boston. I saw the game against Detroit and I thought they should have had that one. They're coming together as a team."

Charlotte, which scored a season high on Monday, is averaging 107.0 points in its last five games after scoring 94.0 per game in its previous three - all losses.

Gerald Wallace had another sensational performance on Monday, scoring a season-high 40 points on 13-of-24 shooting, grabbing eight rebounds and hitting a 3-pointer with 47 seconds left that put the Bobcats ahead 117-112. Wallace, who was two points shy of matching his career high Monday, is averaging 26.4 points on 40.5 percent shooting from 3-point range (17-of-42), 9.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in his last nine games.

"We're having a chance to see a superstar form right in front of our eyes," Charlotte coach Sam Vincent said of Wallace. "The way he's shooting the ball on the outside, the way he's attacking the rim, the way he's rebounding and blocking shots and getting steals, he's just really becoming a very dynamic player."

Wallace has had minimal success against the Magic this season, however, averaging just 14.3 points - his lowest-scoring average against any team he has played more than once - and 5.0 rebounds.

GO MAGIC!

Babir · 01-16-2008, 04:20 PM

5 turnovers in the first 5 minutes

Babir · 01-16-2008, 05:07 PM

Carlos Arroyo had a great second quarter...

MickyEyez · 01-16-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babir

Carlos Arroyo had a great second quarter...

5-5 so far and 2-2 at the charity stripe... not bad at all. just wish he would look to pass more often before he decides to shoot.

we are dominating the game so far at the half, but have way too many turnovers (13) compared to Charlotte's 7... we are dominating the boards, shooting 58%, 10-11 FT, and 46% 3 balls (6-13). We should easily be winning by at least 20.

Babir · 01-16-2008, 05:43 PM

How can the player like Carrol punish you like that???

Babir · 01-16-2008, 05:44 PM

Bobcats cut the lead to 3...terrible 3rd quarter, no energy...

Babir · 01-16-2008, 05:53 PM

game is tied at 75...can't believe we gave up such a huge lead...

Feed_Dwight · 01-16-2008, 06:29 PM

Wallace gets paid half as much and puts up twice the numbers as Rashard in this game. And he plays defense. Makes me sad that we could have had him instead last summer.

MickyEyez · 01-16-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feed_Dwight

Wallace gets paid half as much and puts up twice the numbers as Rashard in this game. And he plays defense. Makes me sad that we could have had him instead last summer.

it was evident here that Wallace may have been the better sign... but the strategy when signing Lewis was to spread the floor and who woulda thought that he would have his worst season in 5 years. He hasn't taken as many shots this year as he had in seattle either.

i'm not making excuses, but Wallace has been the only guy on Charlotte to do anything offensively this year and in years past Wallace hasn't proved he can stay healthy (another reason it would've been a riskier sign). his jump shot has really developed which his helped his all-around game, but didn't provide the same kind of things that Shard brings to the table.

i still think that Lewis is extremely overpaid and underplays, but what's done is done and he is ours and isn't going anywhere, so it's pointless to continue to look back and complain.

this loss doesn't fall solely on Lewis as the whole team was turning the ball over and no one decided to lock down and play some defense in the second half.

dissappointing loss, but the whole team seems lethargic and doesn't seem to know what the hell is going on anymore. at the beginning of the season the team looked like they were on a mission and they were going to put a solid season together with all the weapons that we have... but it's becoming very evident that the team loses focus easily and may not be able to put together a solid 82 game season.

just my 2 cents after watching tonight's game.

Idunkonyou · 01-17-2008, 12:00 AM

I refuse to even root for the Magic any more until I see them play with some heart, some urgency, some passion, all 4 quarters, etc. Seriously, the team needs a shake up period. They play one quarter like they are contenders and the next like they just came out of the NBADL. Tonight was a prime example. First half they looked like world beaters. 2nd half, they looked disinterested, confused, lost and flat out pathetic. As far as I'm concerned, I would rather have 5 guys on the court who have average skill playing 100% on every play, than have very good skill players who play a half and then take off the rest of the game. Otis better make a trade before the deadline. We need to bring in a passionate veteran who will kick every one in the butt when they start getting big headed. We don't have that and until we do, the Magic will never do much in the NBA.

Babir · 01-17-2008, 02:32 AM

we need to stop playing this damned-stupid "small ball"!!!

YoYoYoWasup · 01-17-2008, 04:10 AM

Dwight didn't get the ball nearly enough in the fourth quarter. This is becoming a theme.

MickyEyez · 01-17-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idunkonyou

I refuse to even root for the Magic any more until I see them play with some heart, some urgency, some passion, all 4 quarters, etc. Seriously, the team needs a shake up period. They play one quarter like they are contenders and the next like they just came out of the NBADL. Tonight was a prime example. First half they looked like world beaters. 2nd half, they looked disinterested, confused, lost and flat out pathetic. As far as I'm concerned, I would rather have 5 guys on the court who have average skill playing 100% on every play, than have very good skill players who play a half and then take off the rest of the game. Otis better make a trade before the deadline. We need to bring in a passionate veteran who will kick every one in the butt when they start getting big headed. We don't have that and until we do, the Magic will never do much in the NBA.

i miss tony...

JT3000 · 01-17-2008, 08:54 AM

Why do they even ACT like they want to win? In fact, why do they even show up to the games?

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