Eastern Conference First Round: Magic vs. Raptors, Game Two
by Ben Q Rock
on Apr 22, 2008 5:30 AM EDT
in 2007/2008 Previews
Toronto @ Orlando
| Eastern Conference Playoffs, Round One | ||
|---|---|---|
 | @ |  |
| Magic Lead First-Round Series, 1-0 | ||
| Amway Arena | ||
| 7:30 PM | ||
| NBA TV, Sun Sports | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| T.J. Ford | PG | Jameer Nelson |
| Anthony Parker | SG | Maurice Evans |
| Jamario Moon | SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Chris Bosh | PF | Rashard Lewis |
| R. Nesterovic | C | Dwight Howard |
| Series Central | ||
The Magic used their three-point shot, strong defense on Chris Bosh, and Dwight Howard's overall dominance to put Game One away and win their first playoff game since 2003. Hopefully, they'll do the same tonight and head to Toronto with a 2-0 series lead. But I expect Raptors coach Sam Mitchell to have made the proper adjustments to his game-plan, namely by re-inserting Jamario Moon into the starting lineup. The Andrea Bargnani Experiment (ABETM) didn't quite work the way he planned it.
However, it's important that we not lose perspective. Keyon Dooling put it best when he said "All we did was maintain home-court advantage." Brian Schmitz talks more about it in this blog entry A loss tonight makes the series pretty juicy. A win all but assures we'll advance. That's what's at stake, and I hope Stan Van Gundy has our guys pumped up and ready to stomp the Raptors.
The poll question from yesterday's recap yielded interesting results. Rashard Lewis' defense and Jameer Nelson's strong performance were the two biggest surprises from Game One, according to 3QC readers. Kinda telling, amIrite? When a team's fanbase is surprised its $118 million free-agent addition played tough defense? Or that its point guard played an above-average game? In no way am I trying to discount what Rashard and Jameer did on Sunday. They played superbly and I give them a lot of credit for that. I just think we're kidding ourselves if we think we can expect the same things to happen the rest of the series. But if Jameer indeed continues to outplay Forderon, well, dang. Maybe we can win with him starting after all.
The last game thread had over 140 comments, easily shattering the previous 3QC record. And I do mean shattering. By my unofficial count, that's a 1900% increase in the previous high. Let's see if we can't do it once more.
Go Magic.
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The main suprise about how Nelson played was not so much the stats, he’s done that before. It was the defense he played on Ford. He looked a step quicker and was able to stay in front of Ford all night. That was pleasent suprise and I’d love to see more of it tonight.
by Eyriq the Red on Apr 22, 2008 7:16 AM EDT 0 recs
Exactly
What put Jameer’s play over the top, in Sunday’s game, was his defense on T.J. Ford. He played superb offensively, but what really made our mouths drop was his shutdown of Ford on defense. He sure isn’t known for his defensive prowess, but he showed us that he does have it in him. Keeping up that great play, even if it’s only on defense, is critical in our winning of this series.
by MagicManEvan on
Apr 22, 2008 10:17 AM EDT
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Bulk
His strength really impressed me. He can do to small guards what Billups does to, well, everyone.
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 11:59 AM EDT
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Funny
Nelson is a small guy, but even he has 20-25 pounds on Ford. Calderon isn’t much bigger.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 4:29 PM EDT
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Where can I watch the game
Is this game only on NBA TV? I certainly don’t have that channel. Why would they schedule like this?
by Fedex-Pope on Apr 22, 2008 1:33 PM EDT 0 recs
NBA-TV
Because they figured our series would be the most un-interesting and lease compelling.
I live in Chicago so my only shot at watching the game is either at a bar (which I’m probably going to do) but at a buddy’s place.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 1:52 PM EDT
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Yeah, if you don’t have NBA TV or Sun Sports, you’re out of luck unless you want to go to a bar. It’s a bummer, I know. This series has the least star power, so the league banished two of its games to NBA TV. I don’t understand why people would rather watch the Celtics cream the Hawks by 30 points in prime-time, but, uh, they do. So we’re screwed.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 4:28 PM EDT
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I hear you … don’t really understand what is so fascinating watching such a pointless series like the C’s/Hawks.
I wish I could contribute with the live thread tonight, but since I’ll be at a bar …
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 4:36 PM EDT
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Sun Sports
If you live in North or Central Florida, the game is on Sun Sports.
by MagicManEvan on Apr 22, 2008 3:07 PM EDT 0 recs
Going to this one too. Let’s hope the Magic keep the energy flowing throughout this one, since I expect that Toronto’s going to be much more prepared this time around.
Please oh please oh please let us win, ye old basketball gods!
by TheGiantSquid on Apr 22, 2008 4:00 PM EDT 0 recs
Raptors defense
Saturday, they couldn’t defend the three-point line. Tonight, they can’t defend the paint. Three consecutive dunks for us.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 7:50 PM EDT 0 recs
Smell Blood
... you can tell the Magic smell blood tonight and are going in for the kill with our hot start so far.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 22, 2008 7:57 PM EDT 0 recs
Agreed
... loving the defensive intensity right now. The Raps look totally out of sync.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 22, 2008 8:07 PM EDT 0 recs
Superman
I’m sensing another 20/20 performance by Superman tonight.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:07 PM EDT
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You know it's our night when...
Adonal Foyle gets a baby hook to roll in over the outstretch hand of Chris Bosh.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 8:16 PM EDT 0 recs
Yeah, I know.
Good T.O. by SVG by the way … we need to stop any momentum Toronto is building.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:17 PM EDT
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I like that he took Dooling out after that stupid jump-pass.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 8:25 PM EDT
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Uh oh
Toronto is surging a bit and our offense looks, uh, off.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 8:25 PM EDT 0 recs
Yeah … this is a time when Dwight needs to take over when our offense is sputtering.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:31 PM EDT
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Kapono
... we need to lock him down. This is ridiculous.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 22, 2008 8:33 PM EDT 0 recs
Hedo's flagrant
If Delaney calls that a flagrant two, the fix is in. That’s ridiculous. Hedo just delivered a hard playoff foul.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 8:35 PM EDT 0 recs
2 shots and possession
Raptors could tie it up right here.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 8:35 PM EDT 0 recs
Dwight
... we need to get him the ball for some easy buckets in the paint.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:37 PM EDT
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Bam, like so.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:38 PM EDT
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Bosh
I wouldn’t say he’s a flopper, but he exaggerates contact more than post people do. The refs give him the benefit of the whistle.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 8:41 PM EDT 0 recs
NBA Playoffs
Where flopping happens.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:42 PM EDT
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Bosh
... he’s single-handedly willing the Raptors right now, damn.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:44 PM EDT
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Ugh
It only too Sam Mitchell a few minutes to figure out the Bargnani/Bosh/Nesterovic frontcourt wouldn’t work. If he realized it sooner, we’d probably be losing this game.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 8:48 PM EDT 0 recs
Stan would compensate. Like hopefully he’ll do to start the 3rd.
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 8:52 PM EDT
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SVG
... I’m confident in his ability to adjust. Our problem with our first quarter leads is that we fall into a state of complacency, thinking that the whole game will be so easy. Then we let our guard and intensity down, and bam … the Raps come back.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:55 PM EDT
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Speaking of which
I understand that Bosh dragging Dwight out is a mismatch, but what about that small lineup gives us such fits? I don’t get it.
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 8:53 PM EDT
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I think they’re playing a zone, and we can’t bust it. It’s hard to get a good shot off.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 8:55 PM EDT
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Zone
... was just about to say that.
Thing with a zone, is that it’s so easy to break. We just need two guys on the wings, Lewis on the top of the key and Dwight hovering the baseline.
Whatever side the ball is on is the side that Dwight needs to be on. Once we kick it to Lewis, he can either dish it to a wing player or look to Dwight down low for a bucket in the paint. Or if he’s open, Lewis can take the shot.
The reason why NBA teams struggle with the zone is that they rarely see it, but it’s pathetically easy to beat.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 8:57 PM EDT
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They might take their chances leaving Lewis open, though. That’s the thing. He’s looked pretty bad tonight.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 8:59 PM EDT
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Lewis
... well, I was going to add. In Lewis case, since he is struggling tonight and his shot isn’t falling, he can penetrate into the key and either a.) lob it to Dwight for a dunk, b.) go for the layup/dunk or c.) kick it out for an open three.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:00 PM EDT
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Speaking of which
He has looked great when he’s penetrated so far.
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 9:01 PM EDT
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4-of-5 on two-pointers, although one was a breakaway dunk.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:02 PM EDT
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Right, he just needs to continue that so he can get his outside shot going. He’ll be fine.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:03 PM EDT
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Lewis
... needs to forget the 3. He needs to concentrate on getting into the lane for some easy buckets.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:09 PM EDT
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His last shot was a driving hook thng that missed. At least he had the right idea. :-/
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:09 PM EDT
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I think it’s obvious that Bosh is wearing down Lewis on the defensive side and that’s affecting his offense.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:11 PM EDT
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zone ehh
ironic that we’d have trouble with a zone, after nailing 801 threes on the season. JJ time! (I’m gradually becoming more and more of a JJ homer, sorry guys.
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 8:58 PM EDT
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?
What about on the other end? They scored like 39 points in the 2cd.
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 9:00 PM EDT
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To clarify
What makes Kapono hard to guard is his quick release. If he spots up and we leave him, and they’re able to get the ball out to him, it doesn’t matter if we contest the shot. It’s already on its way down.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:01 PM EDT
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Hedo lite
He has even driven the lanes when available, and looked GOOD doing it.
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 9:03 PM EDT
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Sheesh
I threw up a little in my mouth watching jack up those three’s. Can’t get beat like that.
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 9:02 PM EDT
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Kapono
I said it in Game 1 and I’ll say it again … he’s the one dude that scares me, more so than Bosh because if Kapono gets going, forget it.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:04 PM EDT
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Yes
Bosh is going to get his. We just have to stop the other guys.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:05 PM EDT
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Magic assistant Bob Beyer
Just mentioned the Raptors got into the paint 21 times in the period. It’s cool they track stuff like that.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:03 PM EDT
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Lewis
He needs to get some 3’s to drop. He has been open.
by Eyriq the Red on Apr 22, 2008 8:52 PM EDT 0 recs
Mitchell
... finally realized to start Moon in the second half, not good for us.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:05 PM EDT
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Jameer
... big shot.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:07 PM EDT
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Random
Bill Raftery is commentating on NBA TV.
Seriously, he’s my favorite announcer. AND THE KISS!
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 22, 2008 9:06 PM EDT 0 recs
Turk
... got away with a travel, hah.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 22, 2008 9:08 PM EDT 0 recs
Not to be outdone
Bosh lowers his shoulder into Lewis, gets away with it, then hits the jumper.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:08 PM EDT
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Okay, seriously
How many jump passes are our guys going to try tonight?
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 9:09 PM EDT 0 recs
Bosh...
really went off in the second quarter… 16 pts and 23 pts total in the first half.
Magic need to keep their composure here and not panic.
by Mike from Illinois on Apr 22, 2008 9:12 PM EDT 0 recs
Showing good composure right now. 7 straight points.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:15 PM EDT
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Defense
... if I was SVG, I’d consider bringing in Dooling for some added defensive presence.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 22, 2008 9:12 PM EDT 0 recs
Agreed
Jameer’s playing well offensively, but Ford is getting into the lane with ease. On that last possession, Moon had a wide-open three (as in “nobody within 15 feet of him open”) and just missed. If that’s Kapono, that’s three points for them.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:14 PM EDT
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Superman
!!!
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on Apr 22, 2008 9:12 PM EDT 0 recs
Lewis
... notice Lewis hesitate on that 3-point shot? It’s in his head, at least he recognizes the fact his shot isn’t falling tonight.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:13 PM EDT
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Again though
good things happen when he drives
by Eyriq the Red on
Apr 22, 2008 9:14 PM EDT
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Yeah, he’s not jacking them up anymore. Again, he has the right idea. And going to the basket is good because, as you can see, Dwight is there to clean up the garbage.
by Ben Q Rock on
Apr 22, 2008 9:14 PM EDT
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Exactly
I think more of our guys need to think about that. Drive into the lane, even if you miss, you have Superman cleaning up the mess. It’s blatantly obvious that Toronto has no one that can physically stop Dwight from getting an offensive rebound.
Staff Writer for The DePaulia (school newspaper)
Class of 2009 - DePaul University
by erivera7 on
Apr 22, 2008 9:15 PM EDT
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Lewis tried another three
But from the corner, where it’s shorter. He still came up short. Just doesn’t have it tonight.
Nelson for three.
by Ben Q Rock on Apr 22, 2008 9:16 PM EDT 0 recs