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Tonight's Game: Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers

Orlando @ Indiana


2008/2009 NBA Regular Season
Orlando Magic main logo
@
Indiana Pacers main logo
8-35-5
November 21st, 2008
Conseco Fieldhouse
7:00 PM
FSN Florida
Probable starters:
Jameer Nelson PG T.J. Ford
Mickael Pietrus SG Marquis Daniels
Hedo Turkoglu SF Danny Granger
Rashard Lewis PF Troy Murphy
Dwight Howard C Rasho Nesterovic

I asked Indy Cornrows, SB Nation's Pacers blog, a few questions about the Magic's opponent--and about former Magic point guard/fan favorite Travis Diener. Read the q-and-a after the jump, and check out the role-reversal when I answer his questions at his site.

Some quick notes before the q-and-a:

  • A Magic victory tonight would make them winners of 9 games in 10 tries.

  • Rasho Nesterovic used to defend Dwight Howard pretty well. Then the playoffs happened. Dwight needs to get back on track. Hanging a 20/20 on Rasho would be a step in the right direction.

  • Mickael Pietrus is back after missing Tuesday's game with bruised ribs. Consequently, J.J. Redick is headed for the bench. Le sigh.

  • Danny Granger is really flippin' good. Although his career scoring average against the Magic is a fairly modest 16.7, his three-point shooting against them is obscene. In 10 games against Orlando, Granger has shot 16-of-28 from beyond the arc, or 57.1%. That ain't fair.

The q-and-a follows the jump.

Star-divide

Third Quarter Collapse: Danny Granger, whom the Magic passed on in the 2005 draft to select Fran Vazquez, is averaging 24.3 points per game this season, tied with Kobe Bryant for the 6th-highest average in the league; only LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, and Dirk Nowitzki score more. What are your thoughts on his development? Is he now, or will he ever be, a viable franchise player as the other players in that list are?

Indy Cornrows: Danny Granger's game has really taken off since about January of last season. Over the summer he was a one man PR machine tirelessly making appearances on behalf of the Pacers. The nice, quiet forward who deferred to Jermaine O'Neal was gone as he opened up himself and his personality to fans. He officially became the face of the franchise.

Now about his game on the court. Last year he proved he could play and score at an elite level. The next step for Danny is playing at that level consistently, night in, night out. So far this year, he's had a couple of average games but for the most part has cranked up his offensive game. He's shooting the ball well from the perimeter but also taking the ball to the hole more often and getting to the line.

I don't know if he'll ever get to the Dwyane Wade, LeBron James level, but Joe Johnson and Dirk Nowitzki are certainly within reach. Along with consistency, Danny needs to improve his ability to create his own shot when things break down. Those type of plays separate a Wade, LeBron or Kobe from other great players.

Third Quarter Collapse: The Pacers are 5-5 despite the absence of last year's second-leading scorer, Mike Dunleavy, who's out indefinitely with right knee tendinitis. How will his return impact the team?

Indy Cornrows: Dunleavy understands what Jim O'Brien expects and his style of play as well as any other player. Dun's ability to handle the ball, pass and move without the ball are reasons he excelled last year. Even though the team has played well much of the season thus far, I think Dunleavy will only help upon his return.

And no, I'm not worried about the defense falling apart. The defensive improvement has been great and Dun is not a great one-on-one defender, so a casual observer may feel his return will soften the D. I don't see it. Dunleavy plays well in the team-oriented defense the Pacers utilize and the fact that better defenders surround him this year will make him appear more productive on defense.

Third Quarter Collapse: How's Travis Diener doing in Indiana? I think a lot of Magic fans were sad to see him leave in free agency.

Indy Cornrows: Travis is a fan favorite for sure and he's a great locker room guy, as well. Unfortunately, he's been dealing with a foot injury since having surgery after last season ended. He hasn't been able to practice or play consistently and sits behind T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack on the depth chart. Once he's healthy, though, he should play more minutes. Jack has been playing a lot of SG with Dunleavy out, which makes room for Travis when he can play. Jim O'Brien recently remarked about how he thinks Travis runs the team at a perfect pace when he's on the floor.

Third Quarter Collapse: Broadly, what are the Pacers' goals for this season? What are the expectations from the fans and from management?

Indy Cornrows: I think the Pacers' primary goal is to make the playoffs. I think most fans have raised their expectations after the first 10 games against solid competition. The first 20 games for the Pacers are brutal. Prior to the season, I felt if they could start 8-12 they'd be in great shape. Unfortunately, the casual fan would see the 12 losses and figure the Pacers weren't worth watching.

Well, they've been very exciting to watch, save for about six quarters and already have 5 wins after 10 games. So, the fact that I'm optimistic with a .500 record tells you that making the playoffs is the point where expectations are set right now.

Third Quarter Collapse: In the last year-plus, the Pacers have traded Stephen Jackson, Jermaine O'Neal, and Shawne Williams; they also packed the things in Jamaal Tinsley's locker and told him not to bother reporting to training camp, if I understand the situation correctly. Is there anything else they can do, or should do, to further repair their image?

Indy Cornrows: Honestly, as far as image goes, there's only one more thing they can do -- win. The team and management have done an incredible job since May of reaching out to the community and making positive impressions with all kinds of events and charity work. The roster has seven new players and all of them have come in an offered themselves up to the community and have been embraced in return. The fact that those new guys are playing so well, working hard and staying humble has made for a lot of positive press and talk around town about the Pacers. It has been an incredible transformation.

Our thanks to Indy Cornrows for his perspective. Tip's at 7. Go Magic.

Poll
Who will win tonight's game?
The Orlando Magic
26 votes
The Indiana Pacers
3 votes

29 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 220 comments

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Comments

Display:

This is a game that the 06 team would have lost.

The 07 team showed last year that they were for real by winning the games they were supposed to win (and playoff series they were supposed to win) hopefully the 08 club is up for the same task, both tonight and this season in general.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Nov 21, 2008 1:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Win or lose, tonight isn’t the game I’m worried about. Tomorrow on the other hand…

by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Pacers have a good team

I think their offense is underachieving by a bit, and their defense is overachieving by a lot. They are a playoff team, will probably win 43 games, but are not on the same level as the Magic. This is a game we should win.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like the Pacers' P.A. announcer

He introduced Dwight Howard as “a 6’11” center and a member of the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team." Nice to see Dwight’s accomplishments for his country acknowledged.

by Ben Q Rock on Nov 21, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dwight needs to hit those free throws.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 7:19 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nesterovic has nailed 3 open 20-footers

Dwight needs to get out on him. The Magic can’t afford to let Nesterovic get off.

by Ben Q Rock on Nov 21, 2008 7:22 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This looks to be a high-scoring game

Both teams shooting well, the Magic 59, the Pacers 56.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 7:33 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow, JJ looks nice on the O, not so much on the D

Though I thought that was a charge. He just needs more confidence on D I think.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 7:33 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magic have gone cold

… making just 2 of their last 13 field goal attempts.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 7:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm sorry...

say what you will about Orlando’s home crowd, but at least we aren’t freaking dead to the world like Indiana’s. Good lord.

by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 7:57 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least Howard is back on track

… 14 points already and 5 rebounds after two games in a row without a double-double.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:01 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

First half stats

Both teams shooting 48% from the field, but the Pacers have a big edge at the free throw line 79% to 57%. Magic have made 6 three point field goals and the Pacers just 3 three pointers. Pacers outrebounding the Magic 22-18 and both teams with 7 turnovers.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:11 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yahoo Sports, which I’m following the game on, changed the last bucket of the quarter to Nelson rather than Howard, who they gave credit for the basket earlier.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:14 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought to myself… wow, Dwight actually made a 20 footer?? Oh well… he did have a good first half though with 16 points and 6 boards and a block.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:17 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice first half for Nelson, too

12 points on 5 of 7 shooting with a 4/1 assist/turnover ratio.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:19 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We need Turk to pick up his game

He has more turnovers (3) than points (2).

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cook drives me nuts sometimes

Rushes a 20-footer a few possessions ago, and missed. Now he has a wide-open 3, hesitates, shuffles his feet, dribbles, and gets called for traveling.

by Ben Q Rock on Nov 21, 2008 8:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lewis and Turk have only combined for 13 points

We’ll need at least one of them to have a good fourth quarter if the Magic hope to pull this one out.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can has ball movement?

No, cannot has.

The Pacers have 19 assists on 27 field goals. The Magic have 8 assists on 25 field goals. For more perspective, Rasho Nesterovic has 7 assists on his own.

by Ben Q Rock on Nov 21, 2008 8:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hedo's playing awful. LIke, absurdly bad.

He throws it away on one possession, leading to a Marquis Daniels 3-pointer. Pacers 75, Magic 68, with Howard going to the line.

by Ben Q Rock on Nov 21, 2008 8:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just got in

Can someone give me a quick evaluation of the game? Does Turk look horendous or is that just the box score?

by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 8:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Turk scored 16 points the other night in the fourth; hopefully, he can do something similar tonight… 1 of 10 from the field sure stinks.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:52 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pacers are outshooting the Magic from the field, the three point line, the free throw line, and are outrebounding the Magic also.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 8:55 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As bad as this is, it is only a four point game

by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 8:58 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol seriously

we really should have buried the Pacers, though :-/

by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 8:58 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cmon Hedo

Jameer couldn’t have been more wide open

by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 9:05 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Javie has it in for the Magic

I’m kidding, of course, but he just called Bogans for a loose-ball foul when Bogans clearly had tied Daniels up

by Ben Q Rock on Nov 21, 2008 9:09 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pacers have the ball with 6.2 seconds to get the shot off

The last time the Magic were in this situation this season, Rudy Gay beat them at the buzzer.

by Ben Q Rock on Nov 21, 2008 9:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Marquis Daniels went to Edgewater!

I had no idea. *also went to Edgewater *

by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 9:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

darn, Daniels isn't in any of my old yearbooks

must’ve transferred to that other school before I got there.

by TheGiantSquid on Nov 21, 2008 9:26 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dwight in the post. Come Stan, make it happen.

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 9:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nevermind

The earlier block was topped

by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 9:33 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The first comment of this thread was....
This is a game that the 06 team would have lost.
The 07 team showed last year that they were for real by winning the games they were supposed to win (and playoff series they were supposed to win) hopefully the 08 club is up for the same task, both tonight and this season in general.

Oh, they’re up for the task!

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Nov 21, 2008 9:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

5 straight baby!!!!!!!!!

what a win!! Again, good teams win when they play bad.

by magic fanatic on Nov 21, 2008 9:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow, this win was great. Not as good as the Dallar win only because Indiana shot like crap, but still huge

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 9:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

umm, that's *Dallas

'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12

by Eyriq the Red on Nov 21, 2008 9:39 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

NBA TV commentators are puzzled that Granger did not get a touch on that final play. Magic held the Pacers to 44 points in the third and fourth quarter and OT!

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

103-91 Houston beat the Wizards

Magic going for six in a row tomorrow against the Rockets.

by Mike from Illinois on Nov 21, 2008 9:42 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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