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Tonight's Game: Orlando Magic at San Antonio Spurs

3qcrockjersey_tiny by Ben Q Rock on in 2008/2009 Previews Comment 803 comments

Orlando @ San Antonio


2008/2009 NBA Regular Season
Orlando Magic 20th anniversary logo
 @
San Antonio Spurs alternate logo
29-824-11
January 11th, 2009
AT&T Center
8:30 PM
FSN Florida HD / NBA TV
Probable starters:
Jameer Nelson PG Tony Parker
Courtney Lee SG Roger Mason Jr.
Hedo Turkoglu SF Michael Finley
Rashard Lewis PF Matt Bonner
Dwight Howard C Tim Duncan
Previous Meetings:
December 18th: Magic 90, Spurs 78

Tonight's matchup between the Orlando Magic and the San Antonio Spurs features a few storylines, the most obvious of which is the individual pairing of Orlando's Dwight Howard and San Antonio's Tim Duncan. Both players dominate the paint on both ends of the floor, and both players draw opposing defenders away from their three-point marksmen. As it happens, the Spurs and the Magic are among the league's most prolific three-point shooting teams.

A more interesting story, though, might be the battle of wits between Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Although they prefer their teams to play at wildly difference paces--Van Gundy wants the Magic to push the tempo when possible, while Popovich would rather the Spurs play a slow-it-down game--their philosophy is essentially the same: win games with defense. The way to do that, these coaches believe, is not by gambling for steals, but rather by forcing opponents to settle for low-percentage shots, then grabbing the defensive board. According to 82games.com, 68% of Magic opponents' field goal attempts this season have been jumpers, almost identical to the 69% figure the Spurs post. However, the Magic (20th) and the Spurs (30th) rank in the bottom-third of the NBA in turnovers forced per 100 possessions. In short, both the Spurs and the Magic get their stops by playing under control, a more cerebral style than most teams play.

As much as I'd love for the Magic to roll to victory in this one, it's going to be tough. They haven't had much success in San Antonio lately--six defeats in their last seven visits--and Popovich is arguably the league's best tactical coach. He'll have his team well prepared after their disappointing performance in Orlando earlier this year. On the other hand, the Spurs don't have a heckuva lot of firepower--their three-point threats like Roger Mason Jr., Matt Bonner, and Michael Finley are fairly efficient shooters, but not volume shooters--and the Magic may be able to secure a win if they jump out to an early lead. Then again, Manu Ginobili is always lurking on the Spurs' bench, and the dude knows how to do, um, pretty much everything offensively.

The tip's at 8:30 on FSN Florida HD or on NBA TV. Let's hope the Magic come out looking sharper than they did the last time they played on a Sunday. Go Magic.

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I'm confident

It seems like we match up very well with the Spurs. I can’t think of any match ups they can take advantage of. I’m expecting a minimum 35 point victory.

by magic fanatic on Jan 11, 2009 12:14 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Roger Mason was such a good pickup for them

With Arenas out and Butler/Jamison unable to carry the scoring load every night, the Wizards are missing Mason’s output. The Spurs are always so good at getting small but essential pieces to add to their roster, never any blockbuster trades or signings that grab the headlines.

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There will be a season 5

The crew is guaranteed episodes for several seasons, I believe…you can find variations of the articles on the Internet. The guys (Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton) created another show to be shown on FX called “Boldly Going Nowhere”; I am not sure if it has premiered yet. I actually prefer Night Man to Day Man, but Night Man’s lyrics are too long :) Season 4, to me, was a dud…1-3 are gold. Which episodes are your favorites?

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 7:03 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Spurs fan from PTR here. Here to catch the other side of the story. Hope you don’t mind.

Please don’t beat us.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 4:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I typed “Heya” there, but dunno what happened. So, before anything else, hello.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 4:52 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No worries, DSK. I read the rules when I joined. And I’m not an idiot.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 5:01 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL. I know, most outsiders are awesome who share their input during the game.

It’s just every once in a while someone will come along pushing buttons.

I’m excited for this game and the most boring player in the League, Timmy. I just read the chapter on him in the Free Darko book this afternoon, some interesting stuff on a boring player.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 5:03 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That book has some great art. If you want to check out game thread when the game starts, check the fanpost section of PTR. (PTR would be PoundingTheRock.) We only play against each other twice, so it’s always interesting to get a glimpse into the other team’s fans’ opinions.

Bah, to me at least. I’m kind of an NBA blog addict.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 5:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Depends on the blog. Most have instant access, some don’t. Must be in the settings somewhere.

I just joined this one a couple of seconds before posting.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 5:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Most SB blogs you can join and contribute immediately.

Others, you have to wait a day or two to “process”. Luckily, 3QC isn’t one of those blogs.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 11, 2009 5:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Similar teams, to a point. But you’re playing on a higher level. Popovich is a firm believer in peaking late, and us fans suffer for it.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 5:10 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My grammar is awful tonight. Way to make a good impression, eh? :)

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 5:11 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Can’t quite recall, but yeah, it was pretty bad. Tony got injured in game 5, Manu didn’t even start the season, and we had to start two new players. We did okay, but the schedule gets much harder now.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 5:15 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah. We were this close of hitting the panic button.

Anyway, AFK till gametime. See you guys later.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 5:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Spurs started 2-5

They’ve won 9 of their last 10 and 22 of their last 28 overall.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 11, 2009 7:16 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

On second thought, I'm down with Magic +3

they’ve been good to me AND my money thus far this season.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 6:50 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

www.covers.com

Click on NBA, then go down to where it says print sheets and click on that. It has all the matchups for that day, plus a lot of interesting stats including how teams have fared against the point spread and also over/under.

Since I spend a couple of weeks in Las Vegas every year, the print sheets on covers.com provide valuable insight which I like to look at before I place my bets.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 11, 2009 8:02 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dang, SA only 17-17-1 against the spread.

I like my chances tonight considering what we saw in the first matchup and the Magic’s road dominance.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 8:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thank you

very much guys, go magic!

by fwedo on Jan 11, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Game thread at Pounding the Rock.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Like I said a bit earlier, this should be an interesting game.

The Magic are capable of winning, but I expect the Spurs to win tonight ..

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 11, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's the spirit... :)

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 8:36 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No, I got you

It’s a tall order…Duncan alone is hard enough to beat

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 8:38 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, it's just going to be difficult.

I expect the Magic to play well (hopefully) .. we’ll just see how it goes.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 11, 2009 8:40 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If the Magic can play like they did against Atlanta Friday night...

I like their chances; but SA is so much better than the Hawks defensively. I don’t expect the Magic to reach 100 pts; but hopefully their defense can hold the Spurs also.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 11, 2009 8:41 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Raptors...

I wish they would have played as well against the Celtics today as they did against the Magic last Sunday. Celtics won 94-88. Magic need to win tonight to stay ahead of the Celtics in the East.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 11, 2009 8:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's wishing for too much

The Raptors are free-falling

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 8:37 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or they overachieved the last season. They’re really missing TJ and Delfino. And that’s sad.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:40 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They wrongfully fired Sam Mitchell

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 8:40 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think they could have waited until later

He was like the scapegoat…which usually happens to coaches

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 8:42 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Want to read something funny? Check out the post-victory thread at CelticsBlog. Complete and utter panic.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:39 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Keep in mind that they won. (Then again, Calderon screwed the poop, and Bosh was also pretty bad.)

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:39 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good luck matching up with Dwight, Rocket

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 8:41 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duncan will cover Howard, I imagine.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:44 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anyone else sick of the weekly...

“If the magic win this game, are they one step closer to being for real?”

I’ve been sick of hearing this for every big game, unfortunately we’re going to hear it until they win a BIG playoff series.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 8:41 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've got the spurs feed :(

Jameer’s gonna have to play better defense than that!

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 8:43 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very much a homer. You’ve been warned.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:45 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I hate that so much. Wish they let the fans’ voices be heard.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:47 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah, i think everyone in SA hates it, but they continue to play techno and cRAP all the time. I do enjoy going to watch there though regardless of the music, people are friendly there

What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)

the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post

by Hamer_SpursFan on Jan 11, 2009 8:52 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Do the Spurs PA honestly play music throughout the entire game?

I suffer from migraines already, this is going to drive me insane!

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 8:47 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yes they do

we all hate it

What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)

the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post

by Hamer_SpursFan on Jan 11, 2009 8:53 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hedo with the verbal, but it's a foul

Day man
Fighter of the night man
Champion of the sun
You're a master of karate and friendship for everyone

by Marie on Jan 11, 2009 8:45 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nelson is making sure to establish himself early.

Hopefully he can start knocking his jumpers down. I like his aggressiveness.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 11, 2009 8:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meh. We’re playing at your pace. Bad for us.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:50 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Still not a good idea. We love defensive struggles, at excel at them.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 8:53 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. —LatinD (2008 Playoffs

by hevchv on Jan 11, 2009 8:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duncan might have the largest hands I've ever seen...

Watching on a 90" projector could have something to do with it. That last shot though with his hand outstretched was ridic.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 8:54 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hey, Jameer

there’s other guys on the court, you know.

PASS.

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 11, 2009 8:56 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nah, he needs to assert himself. When he gets going, the Magic offense becomes extremely difficult to stop.

If he isn’t as aggressive, defenses can sag off him a bit and double Hedo, ’Shard, and Dwight.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 11, 2009 8:57 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm sorry :-/

had a horrible day, didn’t mean to bring it out on you

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 11, 2009 9:02 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol, no worries, didn't want you to think we weren't on the same page though.

I agree, I wish he wouldn’t be a “shoot-first” PG at all times. Although he has improved his shooting dramatically this season.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he has improved

but I would like seeing the others get involved, too. If his offense goes cold, I’d hate for there to be no one else around to be able to take up the slack.

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 11, 2009 9:09 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dwight and jameer are

INTO this game. You can’t take that away from them. Intense.

that and how come TP can drive on us like that but we shut out CP3? interesting.

by fwedo on Jan 11, 2009 8:57 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

NBA TV feed going haywire...

anyone elses?

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:01 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not using the internet feeds.

I’ve got the package, but this game is blacked out so I’ve got to watch on NBA TV and their feed is going nuts. It seems to have corrected itself.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Basketball looks so nice when no one defends…

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've been watching JJ's defense

and he reminds me of the guy who shows up to a pick-up game that no one really knows and starts playing pesky defense, just ON YOU. hhahaha I love it, keep it up man.

and my feed sucks, and that call was late as hell.

by fwedo on Jan 11, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great first quarter

If we keep playing like this, the Spurs won’t keep up. Let’s go BLUE!!!!!

by magic fanatic on Jan 11, 2009 9:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I may be late on this

but do we call Gortat the Polish Hammer because of Declerq?

i feel stupid.

by fwedo on Jan 11, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh i know

but Andrew Declerq was our backup center…and we called him the hammer.

by fwedo on Jan 11, 2009 9:11 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

32 Magic first quarter points

…on 14 of 23 shooting, including 3 of 4 on threes

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 11, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We’re shutting you down, guys.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 9:10 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why is Gortat shooting 15 footers?

Magic are 23-1 when leading after the first quarter.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:10 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

SVG:

perfect time to put some starters in the game. At least put in 3 of the 5 starters. The magic built a small lead, you got away with the second squad out there without much of a scoring threat. Now is the time to bring the starters back in and let them go to work for a few minutes, don’t let the Spurs get back into it by leaving in Gortat, AJ, JJ

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:13 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't really care who wins

though the Cardinals are pulling at my heartstrings. Ravens are playing out of their minds, though, so I could see them making it all the way.

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 11, 2009 9:15 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Greatest Show .. on Grass? For this year at least, I think so.

The Cardinals offense is disgusting. Boldin will definitely be back for the Eagles game.

Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website

by erivera7 on Jan 11, 2009 9:17 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I definitely think he's the toughest WR in all of the NFL

and absolutely thought he’d play last night, that hammy must be REALLY hurting or he would have played last night.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Check out my site this week for upcoming picks...

if you’re into, you know… that type of thing.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:17 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I saw the site earlier

but I don’t know a thing about that kind of betting or whatnot

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 11, 2009 9:18 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cool.

Originally, I registered the domain name with the idea of selling / auctioning it away, however since I’ve been doing really well this season (up close to 2k) I’ve decided to give away some picks for free and it’s fun to have a place that’ll track my picks. As of now, it’s just a simple blog where I can put my daily picks up, but eventually it might become more extensive, if indeed I keep the rights.

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:23 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"He walked!"

“and the ball knew it”

Seriously obnoxious.

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 11, 2009 9:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

also

he keeps saying RIDick

it’s Redick. damns. with an E

by fwedo on Jan 11, 2009 9:21 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

you love JJ

http://sportspicks365.com

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 11, 2009 9:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

JJ with the three

and the commentators pronounce his name “Riddick”.

by TheGiantSquid on Jan 11, 2009 9:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just a 100 times cooler than Ridick.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 9:22 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Redick vs. Thomas. Battle of the century.

by LatinD on Jan 11, 2009 9:24 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the NBA

where amazing happens right there

What the Bowen giveth Horry taketh away. --LatinD (2008 Playoffs Round 2, Game 1)

the Spurs do not defeat you so much as they grind you into tiny shards of psychological wreckage.
-the Denver Post

by Hamer_SpursFan on Jan 11, 2009 9:25 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs