Tonight's Game: Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic - J.J. REDICK TO START
by Ben Q Rock
on Nov 18, 2008 6:28 PM EST
in 2008/2009 Previews
62 comments
Toronto @ Orlando
RED-ALERT ULTRA MEGA UPDATE: J.J. Redick will make his first career start tonight for the Orlando Magic, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Brian Schmitz. Mickael Pietrus will miss the game with bruised ribs. Adonal Foyle will replace Pietrus on the active roster.
| 2008/2009 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| 5-4 | 7-3 | |
| November 18th, 2008 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| Sun Sports | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Will Solomon | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Anthony Parker | SG | J.J. Redick |
| Andrea Bargnani | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Chris Bosh | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| Jermaine O'Neal | C | Dwight Howard |
First thing's first: there's a chance that Jose Calderon, the Toronto Raptors' star point guard who is ailing with a sore right hamstring, could still play tonight. He did some drills yesterday and will undergo treatment today. The Magic would much rather he sit tonight's game out. His backup, Will Solomon, played capably against the Miami Heat on Sunday night, but he's still shaky at best. The more the Magic see of him, and the less of Calderon, the better.
Second: the Raptors are a changed team from when the Magic defeated them in the playoffs. They removed all traces of purple from their logo, unveiled a sleek black alternate uniform, and put a nifty new third logo at the center of their home floor. But the changes they made were more than cosmetic: consider the trade in which they obtained center Jermaine O'Neal, a six-time All-Star. While he's not contributing much offensively--just 12.9 points per game on 40.4% shooting--he's anchoring the defense and, more importantly, rebounding. Yet for all the beefiness he's added to the Raptors' front line, they're still 29th in offensive rebound rate and 20th in defensive rebound rate this season. Furthermore, their opponents are getting 28% of their shot attempts close to the basket--the same percentage as last year--and they're making 51.1% of them. Those numbers will improve in time, and I believe the acquisition of O'Neal will turn out to be a net positive for Toronto in the final analysis.
The front lines of both teams will be under great scrutiny tonight. Orlando's trio of Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard presents mis-matches galore, but the Raptors may have found a way to negate those mis-matches: by going tall themselves. Sunday against the Heat, they started 7'00" Andrea Bargnani, drafted first overall in 2006 as a center in the Dirk Nowitzki mold, at small forward alongside Chris Bosh (6'10") at power forward and O'Neal (6'11") at center. John Hollinger of ESPN wrote that it's tallball, not smallball, that's fashionable now. The strategy, surprisingly to me, worked, and Raptors beat reporter Doug Smith says all signs point toward the Raptors continuing to use it this season. How the Magic handle the Raptors' height will be interesting. Bargnani stands no chance to guard Turkoglu on the perimeter, but likewise Turkoglu is ill-suited to guard Bargnani when he posts up, as he did successfully against Miami. Perhaps more problematic for Orlando is the chore of having to defend Bosh, who has eaten Howard's lunch several times in their head-to-head matchups. He also outplayed Howard in the Olympics. I hope Dwight is sufficiently motivated to exact some revenge.
Indeed, we'll learn a lot about the Magic tonight. This game is their biggest of the season to date. A victory, especially a blowout, would go a long way toward proving their streak of seven wins in eight tries is not a fluke.
Tip's at 7 on Sun Sports, so buy this shirt while there's still time. Go Magic.
0 recs |
62 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I’m disappointed not to see Pietrus play tonight. Good opportunity for Redick though, hopefully he makes something of it.
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 7:19 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Bosh is killing us
What else is new
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 7:42 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Toronto has 8 TO's already, but we are losing
Hopefully that starts to balance out
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 7:44 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Jermaine O’Neal’s defense was impressive in the first quarter. Could be a tough night if he keeps that up.
I think the perimeter guys need to penetrate more. Especially Hedo. that’s where all the joy came from in the playoffs last season. Bargnani at SF was let off the hook in the first quarter on too many possessions, he can’t guard Hedo.
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 7:44 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
21 points and 9 rebounds from Jermaine and Bosh in the first 14 minutes.
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 7:46 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
they have almost twice as many rebounds
ouch
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 7:50 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Good play from the Magic over the past 2 minutes or so. Starting to get some footing in this game. Encouraging.
They’ve done well to keep the game close while they’ve struggled, and while Jermaine/Bosh and the Raptors have been so successful
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 8:00 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Damn it Nelson, got to take advantae of that TO
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:02 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Great run by the Magic to close the half. You could see that one coming. They’re in good position to win this game now.
Toronto will be a bit deflated, and got perhaps the best half of basketball they’ve gotten from O’Neal. It might be hard for them to repeat some of that quality from the first half.
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 8:10 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
They came turning the ball over like they did, the Raptors have no shot. Lately we have been a second half team. We’ll see if that trend continues.
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:13 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Solomon was jittery in the first half with 5 turnovers. Hard to play composed with good floor leadership from the point.
I think Dwight Howard may have gotten into his head with that early block.
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 8:15 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Rashard and Jameer are killing it at the half
Rashard is 4-6 and 2-2 from beyond the arc. He’s got 10 points and three steals.
Jameer is 5-9 and leading the team in points with 11. Both of them are playing great.
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:20 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Magic go on a 18-8 run to close the first half
Nice job by the Magic to tie the game.
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 8:21 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Stop bitchin Dwight
you definitely fouled him
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:25 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Chris Bosh has 4 fouls
THEY ARE GIVING US THIS GAME
lets take it.
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:26 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
The Raptors really miss Calderon at the point
Six turnovers from Solomon so far!
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 8:26 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Thats what I like to see JJ. Your killen it
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:32 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
J.J. is doing really well
10 points… 3 boards and a steal… not bad for a guy pressed into an emergency start!
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 8:33 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
That’s a big foul there. Fourth foul on Jermaine, and three FTs for Lewis.
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 8:39 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Turk only 2 of 11 shooting so far
… but does have 6 assists and 3 steals.
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 8:42 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
And that's what is kind of great this year
Say what you want about the bench, but at least we don’t live and die by three players this season.
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:43 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Magic are 5-11 from the three :))
Raptors are 0-9. I like that the Magic have taken fewer three attempts—it shows they realized the threes aren’t falling and they need to make better decisions by driving to the basket.
by TheGiantSquid on
Nov 18, 2008 8:43 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
listening to the Toronto tv crew
Comparing Orlando’s make up to the championship Spurs teams. I like.
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:45 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Battie has four fouls
Not a good thing
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:50 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Magic had an 11 point lead cut to six
Hopefully they can hang on in the fourth.
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 8:51 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
B-B-B-B-Bogans with the three
nice
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 8:57 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Taking quick shots
We have the lead, take your time!
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 9:05 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Nice free throw shooting by the Magic
16 of 21… just under 80%.
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 9:07 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Good strip Nelson
He has really stepped his game up on both ends
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 9:08 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Bosh is 13-18 from the field tonight for 33 points. He’s 8-9 in the second half.
Why are they going away from him? Odd decisions from his teammates.
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 9:09 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
This team sucks without Jose
No if and or buts about it
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 9:10 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Bargnani
For a number one draft pick like he was three years ago, Andrea Bargnani has been a huge disappointment for them. His stats tonight… 1 for 7… 3 points.
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 9:13 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
I don’t like him at small forward. Pity Bosh and him both have the same natural position.
by NBR on
Nov 18, 2008 9:19 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Really Jameer?
What did he think he was gonna do, block Bosh on the break?
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 9:16 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Five points in a row by the Raptors
…Magic need to finish them off here in the last two and a half minutes.
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 9:17 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
yay! :3
I thought it was a well-played game. Toronto kept struggling up, but instead of folding, the Magic recovered and shot the ball. I liked what I saw tonight.
by TheGiantSquid on
Nov 18, 2008 9:25 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Nice win for the Magic
They had their best game shooting threes… 11 for 23! They were also able to force 21 Toronto turnovers and were able to overcome a huge game from Bosh.
Tough back-to-back coming up… at indiana Friday and at home against Houston Saturday.
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 9:28 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Three Magic players scored 22 points
… Nelson, Lewis, and Turkoglu. Turk had 16 fourth quarter points if I’m not mistaken.
by Mike from Illinois on
Nov 18, 2008 9:30 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
I hate to say I told you so, but...
After we lost to the Blazers everyone here was complaining and saying all sorts of bad stuff about the bench, Rashard, Reddick, etc. I told you all to calm down because we still won four out of five games, loses are bound to happen. I told ya’ll they would win four out of five again and what happened? Feels good to be right.
Anyway, good win against a team with a terrible point guard. I’m enjoying the win but lets face it, they gave us the game.
Turk was on fire in the fourth, but what is new. Rashard played well and so did Jameer. JJ also stepped up when he got the call, something most Magic fans love to see. I’m happy, I hope they can beat Indiana on the road. Not expecting a win against Houston the next night though, that is asking for a bit much I think.
Your Orlando Magic have won 8 of their last 9!!!!!
by magic fanatic on
Nov 18, 2008 9:32 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Hey, lowered expectations means not being as let down later down the road.
Coping mechanism and all that. Because basketball is srs bsns ;)
If the Magic keep up this level of play, yes they will do very well, but it’ll be hard. I hope (and think) they can do it.
by TheGiantSquid on
Nov 18, 2008 9:38 PM EST
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Damn
… Bosh was in beast mode tonight.
Nice win for the Magic, albeit its not as impressive since Calderon was hurt. Still, a win’s a win.
Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Nov 18, 2008 10:29 PM EST
reply
actions
0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
New FanPost
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
