Orlando at Minnesota…live blog
Stand and cheer for your Orlando Magic! No seriously, stand in cheer, the Magic will actually be on TV tonight. This is the first game that will be televised in Orlando, as the Magic will take on the Timberwolves tonight. I’m not expecting a huge turnout, but when the Magic mathch-up against the T’wolves tonight, I will be doing a live blog. Magic fans, T’wolves fans, or basketball fans alike are welcome to come by and just comment on whatever and the best part is, you will be heard and your comment matters. See you guys at 8!
Key Match-up
Watch for the battle in the post with Al Jefferson versus Dwight Howard/Adonal Foyle. Jefferson (6′10, 265lbs) is a bruiser down low who loves to get after the boards, as he is averaging 12.5 rebounds per game. Jefferson has also expanded his offensive game in recent years and is a constant threat in the post. Foyle will have to do a a lot of dirty work, his specialty, as Pat Garrity is out and Rashard Lewis won’t be able to contain Jefferson.
Key Player for Orlando
Howard will likely have a hard time scoring against Jefferson and Theo Ratliff, so the Magic must rely on perimiter scoring to get the W tonight. I expect to see Jammer Nelsonbreak out of his shooting slump tonight, as he will have plenty of chances against Sebastian Telfair, who is known for his handles but not his defense.
Injuries
Garrity will be out tonight, as will J.J Redick, who’s back has been acting up. J.J’s injury makes sense because he hasn’t been playing much this year.
What else to watch for
For fans who haven’t been able to watch a game yet, there are several things I advise you to look for.
1.) Trevor Ariza- For those whoa re still skeptical, watch him play. Ariza isn’t 100% and that’s why he hasn’t been playing much this year.
2.) Offense- I love watching this team spread the ball around. It’s so much quicker and effective than last year, I guarantee fans will enjoy the ball movement…hopefully the shots fall.
3.) Rotation- We will see how ingenious Coach Van Gundy is tonight with two key players out with injury. Van Gundy is very creative but is still trying to get the right lineups down, and his ability to adjust with injuries will be a good indication of where he is at, as far as getting the right rotations down.
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121 Responses to “Orlando at Minnesota…live blog”
November 6th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Here are some quick stats heading into tonight’s game that Magic fans will like to see:
Turnovers:
Last Season: 16.3
Current Season: 12.0
Free Throws:
Last Season: 70%
Current Season: 76%
3PA’s:
Last Season: 28 three games in…
Current Season: 70 three games in…
We’re averaging 23.3 3PA’s a game, in comparison to 11.7 last season.
The Magic have the green light on the 3-ball, and they proving they should, they’re shooting .429% as a team from behind the arc! We have three players in the starting rotation shooting over .50%!
Now I know we’re only three games into the regular season, but I’m pretty sure there isn’t a single person in Orlando who misses Brian Hill…besides Mike Bianchi…and he’s an idiot.
November 6th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Injury Update:
Jameer Nelson will not play tonight. He suffered a concussion in practice.
J.J. Redick was sent him for the rest of the road trip due to back spasms.
Pat Garrity will play tonight.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
thanks for updating the injuries Damien, just got home. Too bad about Nelson
November 6th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Its great watching the Magic on TV…Richie Adobato’s voice was getting irritating
November 6th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Lol, on Bianchi being an idiot…
what do you think of the team letting so many three’s fly? I like it because as SVG said, our players are playing to their strengths, its not being forced.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Hey guys. I was disappointed to hear about Jameer. He’s one of my favorite players. Good luck tonight!
November 6th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Thanks Jon and thanks for putting us up front, I know you like your Philly boys.
The game is underway…two missed possesions for orlando before arroyo lays it in
Looks like sun sports is a little rusty, they didnt put both teams’ points on the board at first.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Turkoglu looks sloppy so far…a missed shot, a turnover and a foul on a jump shot
November 6th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Shots arent falling so far, we are getting open looks, but not dropping them….but Dwight dunking it is a good way to get some points. 6-4 Min w/ 8:55 in the first.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
And an offensive foul on Turk, thats two fouls, we will see Garrity
November 6th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Another turnover for Orlando, McCants runs the floor, lays it in, he has 6 points already.
13-4 Min. Time out Orlando, they are going to talk it over
November 6th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Not a good start for the Magic. The team looks sluggish and i cant help but wonder if Jameer not running the point is throwing them out of wack
November 6th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Need a bucket? rashard knocks it down for three. 13-7 Minn
November 6th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Next possesion Dwight comes back with a left handed lay in, nice touch gets the team a back to 13-9
November 6th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Minny comes back with two buckets in transition…17-9. Minnesota is running Orlando hard right now
November 6th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Arroyo with a mid range jumper, cuts the lead to 5
November 6th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Dwight is doing a nice job on Jefferson who as a wide array of moves down low.
Arroyo gets to the line, goes 1 of 2… 17-13 Min
November 6th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Jefferson gets a 14 footer in Dwight’s face, dont know how to defend that weird jumper he has.
Dwight comes back with a dunk.
Magic get the ball back, Bogans gets two O rebs in a row and Lewis gets the open three to cut the elad down to one
November 6th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Jefferson then steps in bounds when passing the ball after the play, Orlando will get the ball under their own basket and will try to get their first lelad of the night
November 6th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Pat gets some points in the post and orlando leads 20-19
November 6th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Arroyo misses a jump shot, misses a screening Dwight Howard…this is my problem with Arroyo, too many iladvised shots
November 6th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Dwight goes 2 of 2 on the line and has 8 on the night
November 6th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Pat makes a 17-footer with a ncie head fake
November 6th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Dooling knocks the ball away from Jefferson but Dooling looses it, then gets his second foul of the game, that didnt take long.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Mike Doleac steps in, a familiar face, was drafted by Orlando way back when
November 6th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Foyle is in and just forced a miss…arroyo will slow it down for the last shot of the qaurter and he nails a fade away jumper at the end of the first! 26-22 Orlando at the end of the first
November 6th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Here are some stats from the end of the first…Dwight has 8 pts and 4 rebs.
Lewis has 6 pts and Arroyo has 5.
Minnesota is shooting 56%, they are getting most of their shots in transition or with Al Jefferson in the paint
November 6th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Rookie corey Brewer knocks down his first NBA three to cut the game down to 26-25
November 6th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Arroyo nails another J to get 9 on the game
November 6th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Turk misses another three.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Brewer with another three… 30-28 Min
November 6th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
PG sets a moving screen. The team looks sloppy on offense without Dwight and Rashard
November 6th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Got to love Foyle…Min travels but foyle makes sure they still dont get the shot.
Turk finally gets on the board with a dunk
November 6th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Craig Smith gets a bank shot, Minnesota is scoring well with their bench.
Turk comes back with a three, but Brewer answers him with a jumper…34-33 Minnesota
November 6th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Foyle goes 1 of 2 to tie the game at 34
November 6th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Foyle gets the ball and is fouled again. He is a tough son of a gun and can gain contact with that big body.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
he goes 1 of 2 again.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Buckner nails a three to put Minny up by 4
November 6th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Rashard and Dwight get in and what happens? Three for Lewis, thats his third of the night 39-38 Minny
November 6th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Dwight goes 1 of 2 at the line, tied game.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Turk misses an open three, Smith comes back with a lay up, Bogans nails a three then Buckner drops an open jumper all in a row…43-42 in the 2nd with Dwight heading to the line
November 6th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Dwight bricks his first FT but makes his second to tie the game a 43 with 4:33 left in the 1st half. Dwight has 10 on the night
November 6th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Craig Smith gets fouled and makes the layup and has a chance for an And 1
November 6th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Smith misses, Dwight gets a Reb (6 on the ngiht).
Orlando gets down floor and Dwight hammers it down after a nice feed from PG… 45 all
November 6th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Dooling on the line, goes 2of2. Orlando 47-45
November 6th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
dwight gets a great O reb and puts it back in with his left hand
November 6th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
rashard lewis gets a 15 footer to fall to give Orlando a 51-45 lead
November 6th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Dwight gets another reb to get 10 on the night and a double double…in the first half!
November 6th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Jefferson dunks it after a nice spin move but arroyo retorts with a jumper
November 6th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Jefferson comes back 54-40 Orlando
November 6th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
49*
And Dwight gets a monster dunk off of a ally-oop, Orlando increases their lead to 7
November 6th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
jefferson goes 1 of 2 at the line…Orlando gets the ball back, up by 6, arroyo takes it to the hole but no foul is called….Halftime
Orlando 56-49
November 6th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
At the half, here are some stats at half….
At Pg, Arroyo has 11 points, 2 assists and a turnover. He is doig a decent job at the point. Arroyo is offering more O than Jameer was thus far, but the offense doesnt flow as well as when Jameer is in.
Bogans isdoing it all again, putting up 5 points and five boards. He started sloppy on D but has picked it up.
Rashard is 3/4 from behind the Arc and has 11 points. Whenever the team needs a bucket, he seems to step up.
Turkoglu has been up and down tonight. He has 5 points, 3 fouls and a -11 effeciency rating
Dwight is tearing it up right now, as he has recorded a double double already, with 16 points and 10 boards.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
The bench has played well. Garrity has jsut 4 points, but he is moving the ball well and isnt getting abused too bad on defense.
Dooling is playing hard as usual, but was a little over zealous as he picked up a couple of fouls early.
Foyle is a beast down low, bullying people in route to two blocks.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
The Magic slowed Minnesota down, but the Wolves have started to play well in the half court set.
Corey Brewer, the rookie from UF has 8 points off the bench…Jefferson has 9 points but jsut two boards.
Buckner is leading Minny with 12
November 6th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
On to the second half… Brewer picks up his third fould right off the bat.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Then Minny picks up their second foul
November 6th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Jefferson tips in a miss to cut the elad down to 4
November 6th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Dwight goes 1of2 from the line
November 6th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Buckner gets an And1 on a running jump shot. Where has this guys ability to shoot come from?
November 6th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Buckner’s FT is good…57-55 ORL
November 6th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Dwight’s pass gets away, Arroyo saves it and hits Turk downlow for two. 59-55
November 6th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Lewis gets a nice hook shot to drop in the post…Gotta love his versatility on offense
November 6th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Dwight on the line…makes both to go to 7 of 11 from the line, not bad
63-55 ORL
November 6th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
I hate Jefferson’s jump shot. Its nto pretty but it goes in.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
On the line again, Dwight goes 2of2 and ahs 21 pts on the night
November 6th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Rashard leads the floor on a fast break…lays it in…67-57
November 6th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I really like that Orlando seems to step it up in the third quarter. traditionally, the Magic would get crushed in the 3rd, but ORL has outplayed teams 3 out of 4 times coming out of the locker room this year
November 6th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Dwight gets up and swats the ball away but its a goal tending
November 6th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I know Im talking to myself, but this is good note taking
November 6th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
arroyo with another J, he can hit that shot consistently. 71-61 ORL
November 6th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
rashard hits his 4th three of tonight…exactly what the team needs
November 6th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Richard, an ex-gator comes in…Orlando expressed interest in him in this year’s draft but Minny picked him up before orlando could
November 6th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
with 4 minutes left in the third, Orlando has a 76-66 lead.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Some Arroyo FT’s extends ORL’s lead to 80-66
November 6th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
This one is getting ugly
November 6th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
turk with another missed 3, but Howard gets the O board and puts it back in….Orlando now has 84
November 6th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Hedo gets fouled hard and lands hard on his right leg.
It was a hard foul by Smith and he is in a lot of pain but he is walking off the floor on his own
November 6th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
He makes one of 2 FTs… 85-72 Orlando
November 6th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Minny makes a shot but PG comes back with an open three to give Orlando an 88-74 lead
November 6th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Here we go with the 4th…
November 6th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
turk will head to the locker room
November 6th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Dooling does a nice job taking the charge, he is playing great d tonight and he comes back and hits a fadeaway bank shot from 10 ft out
November 6th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Walker beats Garrity in the battle of the slows and gets a And 1
November 6th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
With his basket, Walker cuts the lead down to 12
November 6th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Jefferson makes a spinning hook; its only a 10 pt game (92-82)
November 6th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Early commits a turnover on the inbound pass and Minny gives it back with an offensive foul on Walker
November 6th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
turk with another miss..
November 6th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
MIN misses a jump shot but Brewer grabs the O Reb…Jefferson gets the baby hook and cuts the lead to 8
November 6th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
And Jefferson nails a long jumper from the corner and its now 92 to 86
November 6th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
And Lewis gets called for an offensive foul, but it looked like Minny was moving.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Minny cuts it down to 4, Orlando misses and Brewer tips in a missed shot by Jefferson…92-90 Orlando
November 6th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
minnesota has gone on a 14-0 run
November 6th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
6 minutes left in the game…Lewis knocks down a huge three, wide open because Howard was double teamed
November 6th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
95-90 Orlando…Minny misses a shot but Arroyo misses the shot, and Buckner knocks down a three at the other end, 2 pt game again.
95-93 Orlando
November 6th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Lewis makes another 3 and is fouled! A 4 pt play but he misses the FT, 98-93 w/ 4:30 left.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
jefferson gets a teardrop to go in…98-95
November 6th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Arroyo takes the ball in but it goes out…Turk gets an open shot, no good, Lewis get the rebound….Lewis outside and hits another three! 100-95
November 6th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
On the next play, Bogans blocks the shot, runs the floor, gets fed and lays it in, 103-95 Orlando as they take the air out of the bildung.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
It looked bleak for orlando, but Lewis has come alive, going 7 of 9 from behind the arc and he now has 27 points. After minny cut the lead down to 2, Shard has knocked down 3 3’s.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
walker misses a three, Dwight gets his 15th board of the night and Turk gets fouled (looked like a charge) and makes both FTs…104-95 Magic.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Jaric makes a real nice reverse lay up to cut it back down to 7
November 6th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
And Jaric pops out for a 3 and swishes it…104-100 now
November 6th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Just under 2 minutes left, 3 seconds on the shot clock for Orlando, they will pass it in and…Turk misses but Dwight grabs a huge board and gets fould…Dwight will shoot two
November 6th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
d12 makes his first
November 6th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
and his second
November 6th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Jefferson misses the ensuing shot…106-100 with jsut over a minute
November 6th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
hedo picks off the ball and dunks it home, 108-100 with a minute left in the game!
November 6th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Minnesota isnt giving up as jefferson gets to the line with 50 seconds left…he makes both and cuts it to 6
November 6th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Magic miss but get the clock down to 33
November 6th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Hedo will foul Ryan Gomes, who will shoot 2…
misses his first… but makes his second, 108-103
31 left in the 4th
November 6th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Arroyo is fouled very quickly
November 6th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
This is awesome. Thanks for doing this. I’m actually keeping up with the game via ESPN’s GameCast.
You’re filling in the blanks.
Arroyo seems to be doing well. Does that translate while watching?
And Hedo… seems like he really gets the opportunity that this team promises.
Anyways, thanks.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
He makes both FTs…110-103…29.5 remaining
November 6th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Ball goes out of bounds…Orlando’s ball with 23 seconds left
November 6th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Arroyo breaks the press and cuts the clock down to 17 before getting fouled.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
He goes one of two, but steals the ball and that will do it…. Orlando wins 111-103
November 7th, 2007 at 3:43 am
Damn dude… I was at RDV working out and playing basketball at the beginning of the game.
Of course I wasn’t going to miss the game, I was DVR-ing that!
I’m sorry I wasn’t here for the play call; that was pretty damn impressive!
All things considered, tonight is an example of what separates teams. The Magic have plenty of “gaps”, but the stars were the difference tonight. Dwight and Rashard pushed us to victory.
Not to say Carlos, Pat. and Keith didn’t help, but we wouldn’t have won this game without our stars.
The fact of the matter is, the Wolves haven’t won a game yet, and it was on their home court.
All that says to me is another good victory for the Magic!
November 7th, 2007 at 3:52 am
And to answer your question Brendan; I absolutely love how Van Gundy is letting his guys play!
A coach can never really change a player. He can make him better, or teach him. But by the time a player gets to the NBA, he plays the way he plays. Sure, he can make additions to his game, but he can’t change everything that got him to this point.
That is something Brian Hill never understood. You have to let a player play.
The stats speak volumes so far this season. I posted them at the top of this article. Tonight, the 3PA’s were pretty close to the same FG%. The Magic made big FT’s down the stretch. And they only had 9 TO’s in the entire game.
If anyone out there ever thinks a coach can’t make a world of difference, just take a look at Orlando.
Because as I once said, Stan is the man!
November 7th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Yeah, I think I developed carpal tunel during the game…
As you said, the fact that our two stars were, well stars, was extremely comforting. I love that Rashard scores when he needs to…we havent had that in a while.
I am really hoping that Ariza gets better soon because he is the missing link out there..we need that defense and energy when Dwight isnt out there
November 14th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Damien again your knowledge of this team and maybe I should say faith is unquestionable. I too was right there for the inaugural season, the fam had great seats for six years an I believe we didn’t miss a game unless we donated are tickets to a fellow worker.We still even hold the 1st minted solid silver inaugural magic coin ever minted and yes it says number one. We very rarely ever left early it was just to fun to watch. Especially when you thought we would lose then pull it out.The rush of seeing something like that LIVE is no comparison to tv. Heck I still have memories of dang its hopeless then BANG we win? how? you’d of had to stay to know the feeling of that sensation as we were walking to the car and talking about what and how did we pull that out. Those six years were some (no) were the best sixs years I can remember as of late then came my meltdown. I was really hurt by losing Shaq, breaking up a squad that would of for sure won us some rings.Penny did his best to hold things together but he needed the big man when he was in his prime to really shine as have other players that have played with Shaq in the past. The point? I lost faith, I fell off the ban wagon in short I thought we made some bad moves and it cost us.It cost us fans too. I don’t believe I was the only one who jumped off the wagon but at least I’ll admit it. But not Damien, every year he had that faith , he still would go to the games when he could and his knowledge of this team and heck the rest of the league is impressive. Well in short tonites game with the Cavs brought back memories of old. I haven’t felt this good since when the fam was still alive and together. What impresses me so much about this team so far this year is there desire to never give up,never throw in the towel and I hope they won’t. Yes we will lose games every team has off nites but were fans and we have bad days too, but you still have to continue like anything can happen and it does. So bottom line for me? I AM ON THE WAGON AGAIN and it sure feels good even if all I have to talk to about basketball is MVN.COM then so be it.
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