MVN - Most Valuable Network

Orlando gets ready to face Detroit…again

The date is set, Saturday at 7:30, Orlando will head to Detroit to take on the hated Detroit Pistons in the conference semifinals. The rivalry started in 2003 after Orlando took a 3-1 series lead over the Pistons but blew it and ended up losing in seven games. Then last season, the number eight seeded Magic was swept by Detroit, although the series wasn’t totally lopsided. Yes, the Pistons won every game, but Orlando kept most games close but the Pistons, namely Chauncey Billups aka Mr. Big Shot. However, Orlando was the only team in the Eastern Conference this post season that beat its opponent in less than six games, and after Detroit was scared by the number seven seed 76ers, it is clear that the Pistons aren’t the same team as last year, and Orlando is clearly better as well.

In the season series between the two squads, Orlando and Detroit split the matchup, 2-2. The Pistons won in the second game of the season by an embarrassing score of 116-92, but Orlando got redemption in January after Rashard Lewis hit a game-winning jump-shot as time expired. Detroit retaliated two games later in Motown, winning by eight. After all-Star break, Orlando blasted the Pistons to tie the series.

Now the two teams will continue their tradition this Saturday in what should be an excellent between the number two and three seed in the East. Both teams have something to prove and there will be many factors that will ultimately decide the series. Orlando wants to prove that they are an elite team, especially after being overlooked by the national media time after time. On top of that, Orlando has a huge monkey on its back with its poor history against Detroit. The Pistons will also be looking to make a point, as they want to prove that they are still the top team in the East. With both teams motivated, the series will come down to several aspects…

1.) Orlando’s shooting- After dropping 9 three’s in the first quarter of the opening game against Toronto, Orlando has shot poorly from behind the arc, but the good thing is, the Magic still won three of the next four games despite their shooting woes. The bad news is that Detroit is a much better team defensively than Toronto and Orlando relies heavily on making shots. The good news is that as a shooting team, Orlando is bound to go on highs and lows in several game stretches. That means with a four game shooting slump, Orlando is bound to shoot better, right?

2.) Detroit being clutch- Last season, Orlando was able to hang in numerous games in the post season, but Detroit continually made one big shot after another. Rasheed Wallace nailed a three off the backboard before halftime one game to deflate the squad after a run in which the Magic made the game close. However, the Pistons were certainly far from clutch against Philadelphia this series as Billups missed  many free throws when the game was on the line. If the Pistons don’t have that same aurora, things might bode well for Orlando.

3.) Jammeer and Turk- We already know what Detroit’s starting five can do but the Magic still have a big question mark. Nelson had an excellent first round against Toronto, but he disappeared at times on both ends of the court. Nelson will have to play very poised basketball if Orlando wants to upend the experience Pistons. Turk on the other hand let his team down to a certain degree in the series. His stats weren’t bad, but he was awful from behind the arc and was hesitant to drive to the rack. Turkoglu had a weird bandage below his knee and maybe that was it, or perhaps it was a sprained wrist that troubled him to the end of the season. Whatever it was, Turkoglu has had a little under a week to rest and needs to be rejuvenated for Orlando to have a shot.

4.) Bench play- Orland hasn’t had to use its bench much, at least big man wise. In a surprise but perhaps deserved move, Stan Van Gundy turned to athletic rookie Marcin Gortat to replace Dwight Howard in the post for several minutes a game. Detroit has a talented yet inexperienced bench, which could be its demise, but after a round of basketball in the playoffs, they might be better prepared for the second round. Keyon Dooling must continue to bring his enthusiasm off the bench, as must Keith Bogans. A surprise might be Brian Cook, who could add size and a solid shot to the rotation. If Orlando’s bench can gain the upper hand, the Magic should win the series.

5.) Dwight and the post game- Superman must continue his low post dominance this series, but Detroit will offer a different blend of big bodies than Toronto did. They are much more physical and a lot craftier, led by veterans Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess. Both are experienced and can play down low or move out and nail jump-shots with ease. Jason Maxiell provides a lot of toughness down low and could also pose some problems. Howard will be able to stay in the paint more often, as Detroit won’t go small as often as Toronto did, but they still can spread things out. Something to keep an eye on is the defense of Rashard Lewis. He had an absolutely phenomenal series against the Raptors, especially on defense, but that’s because he was usually guarding the soft Chris Bosh or Andrea Bargnan. ‘Sheed and McDyess will be a little more physical and could push Lewis around.

6.) Officiating- I know, I’ve used this card a few times, but it is always validate. I call it like I see it and although I’m a fan, I know that I’m not being too sensitive most of the time…officials don’t respect Orlando. The franchise isn’t important to the success of the NBA and like national analysts do, they look over it. This is perhaps the biggest “if” in the series, but if Orlando can receive solid officiating, they can win the series. I think the NBA would love to see a Detroit versus Boston Conference Finals, but not a Magic v.s Celtics one, and that makes me weary. It will be difficult enough to beat a team as experienced and as well-rounded as Detroit and Orlando can’t beat the officials too.

Prediction time. I was five for five in the last series, although I predicted the series to go six games instead of seven. So much of this series will be established in game one. Orlando needs to establish itself and make a statement. I think the series will be 2-2 at the end of the first four games and for Orlando to win, they must be up by the end of the fifth game. With home court advantage in Game 1, I’m going to give the game to Detroit. Orlando needs to keep it close in the first half, and if they are just down by five or less at half, they have a good shot to win. If not, I give game one to Detroit. For the series, I give it to Detroit in seven, but like I said, we will know a lot more after the first few games. Overall, this should be a great series between two very talented yet different teams.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Orlando Magic. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.