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Today's Game: Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors

3qcrockjersey_tiny by Ben Q Rock on in 2008/2009 Previews Comment 358 comments

Orlando @ Toronto


2008/2009 NBA Regular Season
Orlando Magic 20th anniversary logo
 @
Toronto Raptors alternate logo
26-713-20
January 4th, 2009
Air Canada Centre
12:30 PM
Sun Sports
Probable starters:
Jameer Nelson PG Will Solomon
Keith Bogans SG Anthony Parker
Hedo Turkoglu SF Jamario Moon
Rashard Lewis PF Chris Bosh
Dwight Howard C Andrea Bargnani
Previous Meetings:
November 18th: Magic 103, Raptors 90

Your eyes do not deceive you, Orlando Magic fans: the Toronto Raptors are indeed stuck at 13-20, fourth in the Atlantic Division, and currently out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They've won only 3 of their last 10 games, but their most recent one was a 94-73 spanking of the Houston Rockets. This is not a team to be taken lightly, especially not with noted Magic-killer Chris Bosh in the lineup. Since the 2006/2007 season, Bosh has faced the Magic six times. In those games, he's averaged 34.8 points on 57.7% shooting from the field 89.9% from the line. That last number is particularly important, since he's averaged 14.8 free throw attempts against the Magic in that span. His ability to get to the line, convert, and put the Magic in the penalty has kept the Raptors in games against them. I expect no less from him today. The key will be stopping the Raptors' other players from heating up. With all due respect to them, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Indeed, the Magic might not get a better shot at the Raptors than they will today. Starting center centre Jermaine O'Neal (knee) and point guard Jose Calderon (hamstring) are doubtful for today's game, meaning the not-very-deep Raptors will likely be short-handed. Fans in Toronto are fed-up with O'Neal's injury problems. Raptors Republic writes, "I'm not saying he has a low threshold for pain but word on the street is that he sits for an hour after each tackle in Madden '09." Zing.

Even with Bosh available, the Magic have to be heavily favored against a team that may wind up starting Will Solomon and Andrea Bargnani, right? Although Bargnani has put together a few solid games lately (15.8 points per game in his last 5 outings), Jason Kapono and Anthony Parker are very stoppable. With Calderon and O'Neal out, the Magic should win. Then again, the Rockets shouldn't have had much trouble against the Raptors on Saturday, and look what happened there. It's anyone's guess.

The Magic won't be at 100%, either. We knew that Mickael Pietrus would miss another month after breaking his right wrist, but from Kyle Hightower comes word that Keith Bogans was limited in yesterday's shootaround due to "an ongoing ankle ailment" and may be a late scratch. The smart money is on Stan Van Gundy to start Courtney Lee in Bogans' place if he's unable to go, but he could pull a fast one and start J.J. Redick instead. Such a move would keep Lee with the second unit, which thrives on his energy and hustle plays (not to mention jump shot). And Redick can succeed against the Raptors since none of their perimeter players is in any position to exploit him defensively. Redick got his first career start in these teams' first meeting this season, so it wouldn't be an unprecedented move. Just saying.

It's a Sunday matinee, with a 12:30 tip-time. Go Magic.

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The JJ starting over Courtney

thing is an interesting point. I agree with you on the rationale, I would just hate life being JJ Redick though. Think about going to bed one night hating this team and it’s coach out of frustration, then finding out your starting the next morning, then playing the game with the thought of “Oh, well once those guys get back I have no chance anyway”, then missing all of your shots because you are JJ Redick NBA version and watching the rook outplay you in every facet of the game.

by fwedo on Jan 4, 2009 10:53 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I completely disagree actually,

this is the one thing JJ has worked for probably his whole life, and he has not had the success he expected. Imagine being in his position. I would not want to have all of the education and work I have put in to my career sum up to being only marginal.

by fwedo on Jan 4, 2009 12:21 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did anyone (him included) honestly think he had a chance of making it in the league while he was tearing up the NCAA?

C’mon, the two leagues are SO different… I’d say it’d be hard to find a large number of Magic fans who were happy with that selection on draft night.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 12:26 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I recall

most were pretty happy, including myself. Shooters of his nature are hard to come by and at the time we were empty at the 2 spot. Go figure.

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:28 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Plus draft picks are always crap shoots

JJ had the potential to be Steve Kerr when he was first drafted (figuring he would always be open from a Dwight double-team). I was pretty optimistic when he was drafted. It just didn’t pan out.

Even though a hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ George Peppard as Banacek

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 12:31 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Raptors beating the Rockets

Isn’t that the game where Tracy McGrady crapped out on the Rockets. There seem to be articles being written in Houston condemning the dude.

Even though a hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ George Peppard as Banacek

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 12:31 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good to know Dwight has been working to improve Rashard’s shooting motion

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Over/under on Chris Bosh for 40

I’m taking the over. He just kills us.

Even though a hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ George Peppard as Banacek

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 12:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is why you don't abandon the game plan of feeding Dwight religiously in the first half.

As we saw in Detroit the other night, I’m sure Stan let them have it for that.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 12:44 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bargs?

Where did this come from

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:45 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wonder if Bosh will go off on the Magic again

He usually does

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Raptors canning everything

I do not expect Anthony Parker to hit 18-footers off the dribble the entire game.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gortat in the house

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 12:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And Dwight picks up his second foul

Here comes Marcin Gortat.

Dwight had scored all the Magic’s points so far.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 12:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rashard for 3

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 12:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great job by Jameer with the steal

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Defense

They are running around like chickens with their headds cut off. We will lose by 20 if this keeps up. What happened to the defensive team that played Miami?

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rashard comes off as a dipper

but now that I’ve seen that ad I know better.

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:52 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Orlando Magic – Toronto Raptors

LIVE

http://iddaliyim.tr.gg/Canli-Mac-izle-_-salon-3.htm

www.iddaliyim.tr.gg

by milleniumprince on Jan 4, 2009 12:53 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Soloman

terrible player, got burned last time we played Toronto. I expect no less today.

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 12:56 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hedo got fouled there

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 12:57 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was a block by Gortat!

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What was that, Hedo

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:01 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Can't believe we allowed a 12-0 run

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Stan will bring Cook in and...

He will hit 15 points in a row with 40 feet 3 pointers to make up for it. He’s about due for one of those type of games this year.

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 1:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magic might need to get Cookie or J.J. in there later

One of those “shot in the arm” substitutions. Cook was especially good on that West-Coast trip.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 1:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If they play like this in the 2nd quarter

I’m turning the game off. I’ve got better things to do on a Sunday afternoon than watch a basketball team suck it up.

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:03 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Battie ends the drought

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No ball movement in that last possession

Come on…don’t tell me I went to church early for this

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

With Howard out....

Raptors are covering the perimeter guys pretty good.

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 1:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow...

Nice pass from Rashard to Howard in the post.

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dwight is gonna save us

until he gets his third personal

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That possession sucked

Great steal, but there was too much dribbling that resulted in turnover and dunk

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:13 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magic making Toronto look like...

A team that is not last place in fastbreak points

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:15 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ukic?

Can we get this guy?

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:15 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Keep feeding Dwight

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:18 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We are playing bad defense but

Toronto can’t miss, very discouraging.

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice move by Dwight!

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow

that was sick Dwight

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh dwight!!

Cut this to 10 by half and we’ll take control in the 2nd half.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nothing but net from Solomon

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

airball

thats the Soloman I know

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tough shot by HIdayet

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hedo!

nice reverse layup

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 1:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Argh

Great ball movement, but Hedo misses the shot

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rashard got lucky

I think he just threw that ball out and Lee had to chase it down

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Courtney Lee is to errant passes as . . .

Dwight Howard is to errant alley-oop passes. You can throw it anywhere, and those two will catch up to them.

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 1:33 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hedo got fouled, no call again

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 1:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

With the possible exception of Chris Paul...

Would you trade Nelson for any point guard right now?

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 1:35 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes,

Deron Williams, CP3 (really, this isn’t a question), and Steve Nash. I would love to see this team work with Nash.

But bang for buck? Cap room? I’ll stick with Jameer. Very happy. : )

by fwedo on Jan 4, 2009 1:37 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love how Stan

is yelling to stop fouling Bosh. It’s like they’re so afraid of letting him score they foul him, except he gets a bunch of points at the line. haha

by fwedo on Jan 4, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Raptors 56, Magic 49 at the half

Magic lucky to be in it, the way they’ve been playing. But they really picked it up in the second quarter. The game is still within reach.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 1:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We got this

Terrible first quarter, but we got this. I have faith

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Washington up by four against Cleveland

They have no chance, but it would be very helpful if the Cav’s got an L

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 1:46 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Parker drills another long jumper. Raptors lead, 64-56. Stan calls timeout

If he doesn’t adhere Keith Bogans securely to the bench during this timeout, I’m not sure what it’s going to take.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 2:05 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Okay . . .

Let’s get Bogans out of there.

by funny80sguy on Jan 4, 2009 2:09 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anthony Parker looks like an All Star today

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 2:15 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Solomon, Bargs, and Parker

The Raptors’ unlikely big three

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 2:16 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lewis has 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists

Showing some versatility here… although all his points have come from three-point range.

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We lead!

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 2:22 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

time to take over

Magic are the better team, they should take over now that they have the lead. Take advantage of that momentum.

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree

he’s doing everything else right, the shots will begin to fall if he plays like this. Of course, I’ve been saying that all season.

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:28 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

49 pct to 54 pct that is

… don’t know why the pct symbol doesn’t show up.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Be Kobe Bryant?

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 2:29 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hedo earns plenty of fouls.

The thing is he gives the verbal flop and arm flail with every shot, then when he doesn’t get the foul you’re left wondering, why not there?

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 2:30 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Howard spins baseline on Bargnani again, gets the layup, and-1 opportunity

That’s one way to snap out of a scoring slump. He hadn’t gone over 20 since his birthday (Dec. 8)

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Ben Q Rock on Jan 4, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How about that little back from San Diego

He was fantastic last night, 325 total yards or something

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:34 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

328 total yards

… the third most in postseason history.

by Mike from Illinois on Jan 4, 2009 2:35 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Right, but keep in mind he also returns kicks and punts.

A starting running pack (as LT only had 5 carries) who returns kicks and punts should attain at least 250+ in any game, still, pretty impressive.

by DieSlowKeyshawn on Jan 4, 2009 2:36 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rashard

in and out, that sucks

by magic fanatic on Jan 4, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was a stupid call

Bosh slipped, stupid refs!

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 2:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nelson got poked in the eye?

Recommended viewing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

by Marie on Jan 4, 2009 2:45 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs