Eastern Conference First Round: Magic vs. Raptors, Game One
by Ben Q Rock
on Apr 20, 2008 8:30 AM EDT
in 2007/2008 Previews
Toronto @ Orlando
| Eastern Conference Playoffs, Round One | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
@ |  |
| First-Round Series Tied, 0-0 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 12:30 PM | ||
| TNT | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| T.J. Ford | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Anthony Parker | SG | Maurice Evans |
| Andrea Bargani |
SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Chris Bosh | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| R. Nesterovic | C | Dwight Howard |
| Series Central | ||
The most compelling (yet least respected) first-round series in the Eastern Conference is now officially underway. Discuss the first game here. The new comment interface means you don't have to refresh your page at all; it's truly a live thread.
Will the Magic win their first playoff game since 2003? We're about to find out.
Go Magic.
EDIT: I've linked to these Raptors sites in the blogroll, but I'm linking them again here. They're all very well done. Check 'em out.
[Note by Ben Q Rock, 04/20/08 12:44 PM EDT ]
The Raptors started Andrea Bargnani, not Jamario Moon, at small forward, hoping Bargnani's size (7'0") would frustrate Hedo Turkoglu.
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It’s finally here! I can’t believe it! I didn’t sleep at all last night from giddy anticipation! I’m going to the game! I love exclamation points! Go Magic!
by TheGiantSquid on Apr 20, 2008 10:17 AM EDT 0 recs
Tonight's officials
Derrick Stafford, Joe DeRosa, and Greg Williard.
At least it’s not Ken Mauer.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 12:34 PM EDT 0 recs
Wardrobe curse!
Mike Dunleavy Senior is wearing a grey suit with a white shirt and blue tie. Magic colors. Look out!
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 12:37 PM EDT 0 recs
Joey Crawford
When it comes to bringing out the worst in people not even Mauer can compete with Crawford. On the bright side people can’t continue to ignore Turkoglu. At least they shouldn’t be able to. But you never know.
Green Bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?
by Jim on Apr 20, 2008 12:42 PM EDT 0 recs
I agree, somewhat. But I have a special dislike of Mauer because he officiated a game I attended several years ago in which the Magic shot 8 free throws and the Nets shot, like, 45. I’ll look for the recap later.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 12:45 PM EDT
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Hot start
We haven’t missed yet from the field. Four threes, a Dwight Howard bank-shot, a Hedo driving layup, and a Hedo driving dunk.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 12:46 PM EDT 0 recs
It's Early
But this might be the most poorly announced playoff game so far. Dunleavy is wooden. Orlando looks great though.
Green Bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?
by Jim on Apr 20, 2008 12:57 PM EDT 0 recs
announcers
I’m giddy that this is our only complaint so far! (GiantSquid is contagious.) I thought the magic would have some early butterfly’s.
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:00 PM EDT
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Dunleavy actually said “Orlando has to defend Orlando well,” or words to that effect. Also, Matt Devlin said the Magic had a 22-game turnaround. Uh…no
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 1:07 PM EDT
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20 pt. lead
Wow
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by redandblue on Apr 20, 2008 1:06 PM EDT 0 recs
After one period...
43-23, Magic. Offensive rating: 187.0, eFG%: 102.5
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 1:07 PM EDT 0 recs
obigatory joke alert
That’s offensive!
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:10 PM EDT
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The Magic
... I think the Magic heeded Dwight’s message, ‘we want to make Toronto feel like they’re in hell’ ... we are so damn dominant, it’s orgasmic.
We need to bury Toronto now …
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 20, 2008 1:08 PM EDT 0 recs
bench
Is SVG going to go the entire series with a 3 man rotation?
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by redandblue on Apr 20, 2008 1:12 PM EDT 0 recs
woops
I meant 6 man rotation.
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:12 PM EDT
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Off the bench, or overall?
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 20, 2008 1:13 PM EDT 0 recs
Off the bench, I expect to only see Bogans, Dooling, and Foyle, like we see now.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 20, 2008 1:14 PM EDT 0 recs
Yeah, you beat me to it. That’s the rotation I expect, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Carlos got some PT
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 1:15 PM EDT
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Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised either but SVG doesn’t have to do it. We can just have Turk handle the point when Jameer is sitting.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 1:16 PM EDT
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Raptors
Did anyone read (or write) how deep TOR will go on their bench?
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:19 PM EDT
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Kapono, Delfino, Calderon, Moon is my best guess.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 1:22 PM EDT
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I think Calderon, Moon, Kapono, Delfino. I might be missing one …
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 20, 2008 1:20 PM EDT 0 recs
bench
Who has the bench advantage then?
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by redandblue on Apr 20, 2008 1:25 PM EDT 0 recs
Toronto’s … their x-factors are Kapono and Calderon.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 1:28 PM EDT
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Calderon, yeah. Kapono’s been terrible for most of the year.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 1:30 PM EDT
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True, but I still wouldn’t tempt with fate leaving him open. I rather be safe than sorry and treat him as a threat.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 1:32 PM EDT
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Oh, absolutely. We can’t afford to leave him open… like we just did there off that inbounds pass.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 1:33 PM EDT
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Agreed.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 1:34 PM EDT
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Probably nobody. I doubt either team will get much off its bench, although Kapono’s warmed up from beyond the arc
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 1:29 PM EDT
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Your leading scorers
WIth 2 minutes left in the half, the leading scoers are Nesterovic and Evans.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 1:34 PM EDT 0 recs
for gambling purposes
Who had that in the pool?
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:35 PM EDT
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Magic
We need to be careful … we’re starting to ease up on the gas. If we can balloon the lead back to 20, I won’t be as worried.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 20, 2008 1:36 PM EDT 0 recs
I agree, SVG needs to light a fire under these guys at the half. Up by double digits but they have the momentum.
Great shot by Lewis at the end there.
by magic fanatic on
Apr 20, 2008 1:37 PM EDT
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He didn’t get the shot off in time …
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 1:38 PM EDT
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Dunleavy still doesn’t realize the issue is the shot clock and not the game clock…
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 1:39 PM EDT
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ESPN
Gamecast has Toronto getting a rebound with 0 seconds left followed by a shot clock violation with .7 seconds left. Obviously, there is a break in the space-time continuum.
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:45 PM EDT
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lead
if they get it down to 10, I’m going to be very worried
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:37 PM EDT
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I normally wouldn’t be complaining about a 13 point lead, but … we should be leading by 30.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 1:41 PM EDT
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Jameer
He’s maybe a half—inch taller than Stephanie Ready.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 1:41 PM EDT 0 recs
After the first half:
60-47, Magic. Offensive rating: 133.0, eFG%: 77.5
Toronto ends the half on a 14-3 run.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 1:43 PM EDT 0 recs
Big Three Comparison
Howard/Lewis/Turkoglu: 10-for-19, 23 points
Bosh/Ford/Calderon: 3-for-16, 13 points
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 1:45 PM EDT 0 recs
After the 1st quarter I was thinking JJ might get some minutes today. Not looking like it now.
by magic fanatic on Apr 20, 2008 1:46 PM EDT 0 recs
JJ
Have you met SVG? because JJ hasn’t.
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:48 PM EDT
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Magic Johnson
... is an idiot. He just said the Raptors should make Dwight Howard beat them … that’s the most idiotic analyst I ever heard.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 20, 2008 1:48 PM EDT 0 recs
idiot commentator
Joe Morgan just cursed your name.
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:50 PM EDT
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I agree, but for what it's worth...
Dwight in wins: 20 points, 13.9 rebounds
Dwight in losses: 21.8 points, 14.7 rebounds
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 1:51 PM EDT
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That’s a minute difference. I don’t really read into those stats too much like that.
The fact that we’re beating the Raptors with a marginal offensive contribution by Howard, it’s dumb to say Toronto should make Howard beat them. We’re getting buckets elsewhere … I can understand if Howard was the only one doing anything, but he isn’t.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 1:56 PM EDT
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The Magic have played very unevenly this season and those stats show that Dwight was very steady. They show that Magic is the Isiah Thomas of commentators.
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 1:59 PM EDT
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Haha, pretty much.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 2:01 PM EDT
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Haha, he just called Dirk out pretty bad. Good stuff.
by magic fanatic on
Apr 20, 2008 1:52 PM EDT
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Agreed x2.
I miss the old NBA, when fighting was part of the game. The NBA has gotten too soft. I don’t condone violence but I do condone toughness and being a man. I digress.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 1:58 PM EDT
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We're winning!
Third Quarter Collapse has more posts than TOR has points! Let’s finish strong folks.
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by redandblue on Apr 20, 2008 1:50 PM EDT 1 recs
Old Spice
Went from Bruce Campbell to Dane Cook. That’s a steep downgrade.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 1:59 PM EDT 0 recs
SIGN LADY
TNT showed Sign Lady. Represent Section 220! YEAH!!!!!1
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 2:00 PM EDT 0 recs
Great Half
Evans is playing out of his mind and I really like what Nelson is doing, minus the stupid turnovers. 13 points won’t get you much but I think a reverse trend of our 3rd quarter collapses is due!
by Eyriq the Red on Apr 20, 2008 2:00 PM EDT 0 recs
Hope so … I think it’s just crucial that we win Game 1. I don’t care how we do it, but I just want a win. Usually when you win Game 1, you’ll win the series (stats prove that point).
However, the way we were playing in the first quarter, I’d want to pummel my opponent to send a message.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 2:03 PM EDT
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Okay, that's ridiculous
Yeah, it was a foul on Lewis, but that whistle was inexcusably late. Call the foul WHEN IT HAPPENS; don’t wait for the guy to miss the shot.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 20, 2008 2:04 PM EDT 0 recs
ball movement is very sloppy, I’m getting nervous
by magic fanatic on Apr 20, 2008 2:04 PM EDT 0 recs
Just as you say that, Nelso gives Dwight a perfect feed
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 2:04 PM EDT
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We need to get out in transition more.
You can tell we’re hesitant in our half-court offense. We need to just let the 3’s fly in transition like we were doing in the first quarter.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 20, 2008 2:05 PM EDT 0 recs
Yeah, I don’t see much, uh…. fearlessness in our guys.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 20, 2008 2:06 PM EDT
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Turk has the idea. We need to do more of that, just let the 3’s go.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 2:08 PM EDT
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And Lewis too …
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 2:09 PM EDT
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I love it, right in unison. Great minds think alike.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 2:10 PM EDT
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yeah, Jameer should have taken that shot up top. Thats his shot but it turned into a six point swing.
by magic fanatic on
Apr 20, 2008 2:12 PM EDT
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Yeah, Jameer needs to let that 3 fly.
I understand we want to penetrate into the lane for a possible oop to Dwight or a kick out for a 3, but if we have a 3 … shoot it!
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 20, 2008 2:13 PM EDT
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They're hot
They might never be this hot again. Shoot it.
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by redandblue on
Apr 20, 2008 2:15 PM EDT
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there goes are double digit lead, what happened to these guys?
by magic fanatic on Apr 20, 2008 2:05 PM EDT 0 recs
Bargs
Was Bargnani guarding Howard a minute ago, I love that.
by magic fanatic on Apr 20, 2008 2:09 PM EDT 0 recs