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Celtics @ Magic Thread; 1/7, 6 PM, Amway Arena
Topic Started: Jan 7 2007, 01:22 AM (1,078 Views)
MAGICMANEVAN
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Boston (12-20) at Orlando (20-14)
Magic - 2nd Southeast / 5th East
Celtics - 4th Atlantic / 12th East

What: Regular Season Game #35
Where: Amway Arena
When: January 7, 6:00 PM
Broadcast: TV -- My 65, Radio -- AM 580 WDBO


The Orlando Magic have turned up their defensive intensity during their current four-game homestand. They'll be facing a Boston Celtics team that is focused on being more aggressive offensively.

The Magic (20-14) try to complete a perfect homestand and earn their fourth straight win when they face the Celtics (12-20) on Sunday.

Orlando has the league's second-best field-goal percentage defense (43.5) and the fifth-best scoring defense (92.1 points per game), but it has been even more impressive than that in shutting down teams of late.

Magic opponents are averaging 37.4 percent from the field and 76.0 points during the homestand, and Orlando is coming off one of its best defensive efforts of the season.

The Magic held Charlotte to a season-low 29.1 percent shooting in a 106-74 victory Friday, limiting the Bobcats to 24 points on 23.8 percent (10-of-42) after halftime.

"We've been getting stops and holding teams to lower amounts than they're used to," guard Jameer Nelson said. "I think the team is taking pride in their defense right now. We've got a lot of guys helping each other right now. And that's one of the keys to our success right now."

Orlando has won three straight since a 3-9 stretch. The Magic haven't won four in a row since a season-high six-game run from Nov. 22-Dec. 1.

While the Magic have been winning with defense, the Celtics are trying to be more assertive on the offensive end as they look to end their recent funk.

Boston defeated Memphis 128-119 on Friday, recording season high in points and shooting percentage (57.5). The Celtics also spread the ball around well, with seven players scoring in double figures.

Wally Szczerbiak had a team-high 26 points and went 4-of-7 from 3-point range, after averaging 11.6 points and going 2-of-14 from beyond the arc in his last five games.

"Our starters came out with an aggressive mindset," said forward Brian Scalabrine, who had a season-high 16 points. "They were all attacking the basket and making extra passes. Then our bench came in and did the same thing. Once we got on that track, we stayed on that track.

"As long as our starters come out with that aggressive mindset, and we continue to do that, I believe we'll have a chance to win offensively."

The Celtics won for just the second time in their last nine games. They've been without leading scorer Paul Pierce (sore left foot) for the last seven contests.

Orlando beat Boston 92-89 on Nov. 13, holding the Celtics to 38.3 percent shooting and 15 points in the second quarter.

The Magic have won four of their last five meetings with Boston, and five of seven at Amway Arena.

Nelson had 24 points and seven assists in the first matchup of the season with the Celtics. He scored 20 points against the Bobcats on Friday.

Dwight Howard finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots Friday, and made the first 3-pointer of his three-year career.

"I think I'm going to quit shooting them now and just remember that I'm 100 percent from behind the 3-point line this year,"said Howard, who has attempted five career 3-pointers.

Howard had 17 points and 15 rebounds in the November win over the Celtics.

Magic coach Brian Hill said forward Grant Hill could return for Sunday's game after missing the last three with a sore left foot.
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Magic.Man
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Hopefully we'll turn up our defensive intensity again tonight :D

One(s) to watch are Al Jefferson who has been great this year since coming back from injury and being put into the starting lineup and maybe Gerald Green if he gets decent amount of PT (which is possible with PP out injured)

Battle of the dunkers - Ariza vs Green. I hope Ariza dunks on his a$$!
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Punisher
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Pure domination
Quote:
 
Dwight Howard finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots Friday, and made the first 3-pointer of his three-year career.

"I think I'm going to quit shooting them now and just remember that I'm 100 percent from behind the 3-point line this year,"said Howard, who has attempted five career 3-pointers.


Dwight is too funny :lol:

This should be another easy win for our guys. We dont need Hill and Dooling for this game so if they are not ready I kope Hill dont play them because we need them for the upcoming road trip.
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Tony
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Dwight Howard = MVP
The Celtics aren't looking too good right now especially with Paul Pierce out so theres not too much to worry about. Our offense has been playin much better now so its gonna be tough for the Celtics to beat us.
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NYCMagicFan
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I hate Sunday games. They are almost always at an odd time (2pm, 3pm or 6pm like today). Im never home to see them.
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dxwwf3
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Huge opportunity to get back atop the division tonight.
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dxwwf3
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Legend
Ugly start so far
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dxwwf3
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Legend
Battie playing well up to this point
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dxwwf3
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Legend
Sunday afternoon = dead message board :)
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Magic.Man
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I'm likin Dwight so far!
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Tony
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Dwight Howard = MVP
Good game so far. Everyone playing well for us. Nice job by G-Hill only shot twice but got to the line 6 times.
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dxwwf3
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Legend
Season best for Batman
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zuppafly
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Drafting Marbury + Foyle = Championship. \o/
Even though our shots aren't falling in the second quarter, we improved from 12 up to 16 up. That means great team defense.

And that Boston sucks hard.
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Tony
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Dwight Howard = MVP
Great 1st half. 54-38. G-Hill with 12 pts, 7 rebs and 8-8 from the line. But can't forget about Battie whos having a huge 1st half with 9 pts and 8 rebs
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dxwwf3
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Terrible effort in the 2nd half. Nelson can't buy a bucket and the whole team sucks right now. If Boston wins this game, it would be a huge embarrassment.
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