Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
NOTE FROM THE FORUM OWNER:

We had a long, enjoyable run, and I would like to thank every Orlando Magic fan who contributed to our small community on the web. This message board will be left online as an archive into the thoughts and minds of a group of Magic fanatics who lived through a 21-win season, the drafting of Dwight Howard, and an eventual NBA Finals appearance. You can also visit the original MagicMadness Forum at http://orlandomagic.proboards.com.

Special thanks to our Staff Members: Black and Blue, MAGICMANEVAN, and NYCMagicFan!

MagicMadness
Forum Owner
Add Reply
Magic vs. Cavaliers; 11/10, 8:00 PM, Amway Arena
Topic Started: Nov 11 2009, 01:56 PM (893 Views)
MagicMadness
Member Avatar

Administrator
Posted Image vs. Posted Image

Who: Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Steamers
What: NBA Regular Season Game #9
Where: Amway Arena
When: 11/11, 8:00 PM
TV: ESPN, Sun Sports

YAHOO! GAME PREVIEW

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_ylt=A...?gid=2009111119

In a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference finals, perhaps the most intrigue surrounds two players that weren’t even a part of the series.

Shaquille O’Neal(notes) and the Cleveland Cavaliers meet Vince Carter(notes) and the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night for the first time since the playoffs.

Cleveland (4-3) was the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season, but was ousted in six games by Orlando (6-2), which went on to fall in five games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals.

Much of the blame for that surprise exit was placed on the Cavaliers’ inability to defend Dwight Howard(notes), who averaged 25.8 points and 13 rebounds in the series.

Looking to take care of that problem, Cleveland traded for O’Neal in June and he insisted the Cavaliers would no longer need to double-team Howard. While coach Mike Brown wasn’t committing to O’Neal’s game plan, he was hoping for a better outcome.

“They’re a very good, well-coached team that presented problems for us (last year),” he said. “Hopefully it will be different this year.”

O’Neal, then with Phoenix, and Howard faced each other once last season. Howard had 19 points in Orlando’s 111-99 home win on March 3, but he was held to only seven rebounds - his second-lowest total.

“He’s young, agile and active,” O’Neal said, “but nothing I haven’t seen before.”

Howard guided the Magic to NBA finals for the first time since 1994-95 when they were led by a younger and much more dominant O’Neal. While Howard may be surpassing Shaq’s legacy in Orlando, O’Neal was less than complimentary of the Magic star over the summer.

“I can’t be impressed by something I invented,” O’Neal said. “I mean, you look at what he is doing, I’ve been there and done that. Every street he is driving down in Orlando, I have been on that street. Every nightclub, every restaurant - I have been there and done that.”

O’Neal has had some trouble fitting in with Cleveland’s system, but the Cavaliers appear pleased with how it’s working.

He played 19 minutes in a 100-91 victory over New York on Friday, finishing with seven points and four rebounds. Cleveland held a double-digit lead for most of that game, which may have contributed to his lack of playing time.

Reigning MVP LeBron James(notes) scored 33 points with eight rebounds and nine assists.

Despite the series loss to the Magic, James put up big numbers by averaging 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and eight assists. Including playoff games, however, the Cavaliers have lost six straight and eight of nine in Orlando.

After falling by 28 to Oklahoma City on Sunday, the Magic bounced back with a 93-81 victory at Charlotte on Tuesday. Howard finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while Carter made a surprise return from a sore left ankle to finish with 15 points off the bench.

Carter - Orlando’s big offseason acquisition - had missed four of the previous five games and didn’t think he’d be able to play after not participating in the morning’s shootaround. He was feeling better later in the day, however, and asked if he could come off the bench for only the eighth time in 781 career games.

“I got here and I was doing the (scouting) board and Vince came in and said he was going to give it a shot,” coach Stan Van Gundy said. “I was totally surprised.”

Carter averaged 19.0 points against the Cavaliers last season while with New Jersey, but shot only 37.5 percent in those games.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
iceveins333
Member Avatar
Rocks blocking shots on guys with dreadlocks
i think its gonna be pretty hard for us to win this game tonight being shorthanded and our lack of defense so far this season. hopefully i'm wrong.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Kwik10z
Member Avatar
Redick-ulous
idk.....i think we will be ok. This means just as much to our guys than it does to the Fagaliers.

so although it will be a very good/close game....i think the Magic-men will prevail.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Punisher
Member Avatar
Pure domination
Biggest game so far in the season. Neither team seems to play as good as they did last year. If we play solid D we'll win this one. Go Magic!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SG489
Member Avatar
The Comeback Kid
Who's the starters and who are the reserves for both teams?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NYCMagicFan
Member Avatar
Old School
Staff Members
Nelson, Carter, Barnes, Bass Howard for Orlando and Williams, Parker, Hickson, James, Shaq for Cavs
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NYCMagicFan
Member Avatar
Old School
Staff Members
Cavs up 5 early.....2 questionable fouls on Dwight
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amagic25
Member Avatar
Starter
the lerefs is at it again
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amagic25
Member Avatar
Starter
this going to be a long night i know who the le ref favoring
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SG489
Member Avatar
The Comeback Kid
Long night? We are at this game and hanging on.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NYCMagicFan
Member Avatar
Old School
Staff Members
Mo Williams cant miss so far!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CZ Eddie
Member Avatar
Rookie
Cavs are outrebounding the heck out of us. 19 to 9 so far.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amagic25
Member Avatar
Starter
if anyone need proof that nba is fix. this game is evident.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
amagic25
Member Avatar
Starter
bulls**ts
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dxwwf3
Member Avatar
Legend
They are better than us tonight. Mo is hitting everything (literally) and Dwight can't get going.

Matt Barnes is horrible BTW.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Orlando Magic Locker Room · Next Topic »
Add Reply