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**Basel** · 04-16-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

The Magic and Sixers are two teams that suffered some untimely injuries down the stretch and didn't finish the season as strong as they would have liked.

Orlando was without Rashard Lewis (right knee tendinitis) for the last three games of the season, and without Hedo Turkoglu (sprained left ankle) for the last two. The Magic weren't at their best to close the season, losing five of their last nine games.

The Sixers lost Thaddeus Young to a sprained right ankle on March 31 and lost six straight games before edging out the Cavs on the final night of the season. At one point late in the season, they had a shot at the fourth seed, but they needed that win in Cleveland just to finish sixth.

Head-to-head

The Magic vs. the trainer's table: If the Magic are healthy and at their best, they should be making their second straight trip to the conference semifinals and would even have a shot to knock off the Celtics. But their late-season injuries are concerning.

Leg injuries can affect shooters, and no team shoots more threes (on a per-possession basis) than the Magic. So if Lewis and Turkoglu aren't 100 percent and aren't shooting well, they could be in trouble.

Even if they're close to full strength, it will take some time for the Magic starters to get back into a rhythm together.

This team had its best season since 1995-96, but it lost Jameer Nelson in early February. And now the Magic have Turkoglu and Lewis going into the postseason banged up. If they manage to crash the conference finals, it will be quite an accomplishment.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/feature...416/index.html

captainobvious · 04-18-2009, 04:57 PM

Well I give the Sixers a better chance against Orlando than I would have against either Boston or Cleveland.
They've got 12 fouls to work with against Howard between Dalembert and Ratliff. Matchups: I like Millers post game against Jameer Nelson. I also think Thad will have the advantage over Turkoglu or Lewis with his speed.

We will need 2 things to happen for the Sixers to win this series:
1) Team defense. The Sixers seem to lose focus at times on the defensive end.
2) Bench contributions. We need good rebounding and solid minutes from Reggie and Ratliff, and Lou Williams will need to protect the ball and put some points on the board.

**Coatesvillain** · 04-19-2009, 12:37 AM

What I want to see is more activity on offense. Less Iguodala isos at the top of the key (ala last year), and more off ball movement. If we're going to iso I'd rather it be Lou Williams, and hopefully his minutes go up while Willie's go down.

Even though he's a rookie I want to see Speights play more minutes than Reggie Evans. When Reggie plays I'd rather him just try to rebound, and use his fouls on Howard. If he's playing PF that means he'll be matched up with Lewis or Turkoglu and he'll be beat off the dribble every time (hell, Wally World was killing him off the dribble the other night).

Also hit jumpers.

I think Thad can have a good series and his development as a player should make things easier for Iguodala (who should work as a playmaker here). This is a better matchup than other teams because the Magic practically play small.

Miller has to stop penetration though which is probably asking way too much of him. Offensively he needs to be picky about when to go for his shot. I'd rather have him going for his in the fourth than to stop everything in the half court to go for his shot early.

Switch the looks on Howard but consistently double him. Force him to beat you with the pass.

**HKF** · 04-19-2009, 12:47 AM

Luckily Miller is playing against Rafer Alston.

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