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Tonight's Game: Orlando Magic vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Orlando Magic main logo
vs.
Minnesota Timberwolves main logo
49-29
19-59
Amway Arena
7:00 PM
Sun Sports
Probable starters:
Jameer Nelson PG Randy Foye
Maurice Evans SG Marko Jaric
Hedo Turkoglu SF Kirk Snyder
Rashard Lewis PF Ryan Gomes
Dwight Howard C Al Jefferson
Season series:
6 Nov 2007: Magic 111, Timberwolves 103

We should have no trouble with Minnesota at all. The Timberwolves are a decent rebounding team (12th in offensive rebound rate, 15th in defensive rebound rate), but don't do anything else well. They have Al Jefferson, who'd be an All-Star if he played for a team anywhere close to .500. He's one of only four players in the league this year averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds; Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, and Carlos Boozer are the others.

Jefferson is a poor defender, though. In an improbable victory over the Suns earlier this year, Jefferson scored 39 points, but allowed Amare Stoudemire to score 33.... on 14-of-16 from the field. Dwight Howard will destroy Jefferson tonight, provided that his teammates do a good enough job of getting him the ball.

They also have free-agent-to-be Ryan Gomes, who can play either forward position and is a solid "glue guy," the kind of role-player I'd like to see us sign this summer. But he told Hoopsworld he wants to stay in Minnesota. What a shame.

I get a feeling like we'll get to see plenty of J.J. Redick, Carlos Arroyo, Pat Garrity, and James Augustine tonight. It's our last game against a Western team, so if there's ever a time to rest the starters, it's tonight.

Go Magic. Get that 50th win, and we can all celebrate with free Dunkin' Donuts Saturday morning.

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Keys to the game tonight...

Echoing what Ben said, hopefully the Magic can continue to effectively get the ball inside to Howard as they did against the Bulls, and he can be just as quick and decisive shooting with his little jump-hook or slam dunk.  As Ben mentioned, Jefferson is a poor defender.

I'll also look for the Magic 3 point shooting to get back on track, as they have shot just 18 of 62 (less than 30%) from the 3 point line the last two games.  

With Howard being a beast down low combined with effective long-range shooting, the Magic are capable of going a long way in the playoffs!

by Mike from Illinois on Apr 11, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ugh

Awful. Recap later. I have better things to do right now than spend time thinking about this reprehensibly complacent team.

by Ben Q Rock on Apr 11, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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