Preview: Magic at Kings
by Tom Ziller on Jan 12, 2010 1:30 PM PST
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THE OPPONENT
If you want to know all about the Magic, you ought to be reading Orlando Pinstriped Post, the blog formerly known as Third Quarter Collapse, penned by Friends-of-StR Ben Q. Rock and Excellent Eddy Rivera. Even stat guru Jon Nichols pitches in! A true buffet of talent and hard work there.
The Magic smoked the Hawks before veering Westward. Prior to that win, Orlando had lost four straight ... to some bad, bad teams: at Chicago, at Indiana, at home against Toronto, at Washington. Let me rephrase that sentence, aka REMIX!!!! Prior to that win, Orlando had lost four straight ... to some bad, bad teams: at Chicago (what!), at Indiana (whatter!), at home against Toronto (whattest!), at Washington (stop lying).
But the Magic is still 25-12, with the league's No. 6 SRS rating. Outsiders have called this season a disappointment to date, and that's likely based on the lack of an additional leap skyward for phenom Dwight Howard, and an underwhelming entrance by Vince Carter. Still, 25-12, holding off the incredible Hawks ... not too shabby, in my opinion. We'll find out in April, May and perhaps even June.
Sacramento will be the least intimidating stop on the Magic's Western trip. Denver, Portland and Evil L.A. finish the jaunt. The Magic whipped the cream off the Kings last season at ARCO (I seem to have blacked out after the 89th made three ...). The teams will meet in Orlando in 10 days.
KEVIN MARTIN UPDATE
I have heard Martin will definitely not play tonight, as Paul Westphal would like for Kev to practice with the team first. Team has practices scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, before heading out on the six-game road trip. Martin has been cleared by doctors. I wouldn't be surprised if he dressed tonight, but I'd be really if he came in. (Think Tyreke's injury DNPs.) Bank on Friday at Philadelphia, though possibly off the bench.
KEY BATTLE
Dwight Howard vs. Everyone. In the New Magic World Order, Howard is getting fewer touches than in any season since his 19-year-old rookie year. That's a problem for Orlando ... but a boon to the Kings, who simply have too much trouble defending the paint against the league at large, let alone such a wunderkind performer. Despite the offensive contraction, Howard still averages 10 FGAs and 10 FTAs per 36 minutes. That could be severe trouble, my friends. Hack 'em up.
BOLD PROCLAMATION
Kenny Thomas will get more minutes than Hilton Armstrong.
NUMERIC PREDICTION
Kings by 14.
DETAILS
7 PM tip, with the second game thread coming at 8. Post-gamer at 9:45.
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Home Game
So I expect a good game from our Kings. I hope we can turn it around and get back to .500.
If Winning Isn't Everthing, Why Do They Keep Score? - Vince Lombardi
If we can get back to .500
I’d be shocked.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
Dwight Howard meet Jon Brockman, and protect your knee caps
Orlando has fallen on hard times since New Years going 1-1 at Home and 1-3 on the road. But, they might be coming out of their slump, after beating Atl 113-81 at home 3 days ago. One of the things that stand out about that game was the absence of Vince Carter, who is recovering from a mild shoulder separation. His absence didn’t seem to hurt, and people are questioning, how much he adds to the team.
Even their coach Stan Van Gundy wonders why the Magic have been unable to fire on all cylinders when Howard, Carter, Lewis and Nelson have been on the floor together. In the 10 games that the all-star foursome has played together Orlando is just 5-5. So, maybe the best thing for the Kings is for Carter to return to the lineup on Tuesday.
Orlando is a good rebounding team, but not as good as one might think considering they have Dwight Howard averaging 13.1rpg. Howard shares the center duties with Marcin Gortat who is pulling down 3.9 in 13.4mpg. The fact is that Matt Barnes is their 2nd leading rebounder, pulling down 5.4rpg.
Scoring wise, the Magic spread the scoring around between Nelson, Redick, Lewis, & Pietris. But, no matter who’s doing the scoring, it’s certain that a lot of it is going to come from beyond the arc. They’ve taken 184 3pts shots in their last 6 games or almost 31 3’s per game. That’s what you call an inside/ very far outside game.
The last time Orlando played in Sac almost a year to the day Jan 13, 2009, they won 139-107. Howard score 25/15. The Kings high scorer was Martin, and our top rebounder was Cisco. And, things don’t look to get any better this time around. Orlando is +5.5 in points per game differential, 5th in 3P%, they’re 6th in total rebound differential. In fact the only weakness they have is their FT% where they are last.
So, what’s the plan for this can’t win game? First, we must defend the 3pt shot and stay with the shooters, and let the help on Howard come from the front line. Second, foul Howard . He’s shooting 58% from the FT line and 61% from the field. Third, look for long rebounds. They take a lot of 3’s and their guards & wings get more rebounds than their bigs, so we need to battle for them. Fourth, our bigs need to hit their mid and long range shots, otherwise Howard & Gortat are going to sit in the paint and set an NBA record for most blocks in a single game. And finally, the Kings need to move and move the ball. The Magic play defense too well for us to play our iso, post-up, man with the ball tries to get open offense.
On my wish list, Carter returns and upsets their offense, Orlando shoots less than 30% from 3pt range, Kings shoot 50% from 3pt range, and Kevin Martin returns to the line-up and leads the Kings to victory. Otherwise, Orlando dominates the boards, shoots at a high percentage and wins the game in the first major blow out of the season. Go Kings.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
by HighTops on Jan 12, 2010 1:42 PM PST reply actions 9 recs
nice pre-game as usual, rec'd
ESPN Accuscore has the Magic by 6.
One of the weak spots for this Kings team as a hold over from last season is their 3 point defense. No team exploited that weakness better than Orlando as they made a record number of treys. Let’s see what the coaching staff has for a new strategy.
I expect Pietrus on Tyreke and I hope that rebounding is the priority of the game plan. Looking at this group one would assume that if you stop Howard and let the rest of the guys beat you – you win. Well, may be the case but for a team that is 25-12 – not many have figured out how to do that.
Agree – it will be a close one. Seems like this season it is almost always a close one.
Bold Prediction: neither Kenny Thomas nor Hilton Armstrong reach playing time comensurate with their jersey numbers.
by betweentheeyes on Jan 12, 2010 2:09 PM PST up reply actions
Bold Prediction: neither Kenny Thomas nor Hilton Armstrong reach playing time comensurate with their jersey numbers.
Meanwhile, for tonight’s Pistons-Wizards game, Arenas looks to be a lock.
by unfair weather on Jan 12, 2010 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs
Nice
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
by AnotherStupidSN on Jan 12, 2010 2:52 PM PST up reply actions
forgot the ultimate match up tonight: The battle of the Chocolates!
Spanish v. White. Don’t tell Sean May, he may get the wrong idea
by betweentheeyes on Jan 12, 2010 4:15 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm with bte High Tops. Your pregame has become must read for me
Last season has mostly blended into one miserable blur but the two games that still resonate for me are the win against the Lakers and the beat down that Orlando laid on us. I had strongly mixed feelings after that game. Orlando has always been one of my favorite teams but the disrespect the Magic showed us last year was disgusting. As they rained down 3’s on us in the process of setting a new league record their jeering, laughing, hooting and hollering filled me with hate for them.
Up til that point our 3 point defense had been a major sore point all season with Joe Maloof calling out Reggie on the radio. That night we were incapable of stopping them and that game encapsulated the futility of last season. For me it was our worst loss.
I have no idea how the game is going to turn out, my first impression is that it’s not going to turn well for the Kings. Our interior defense still isn’t strong or even very good. I don’t get TZ’s bold prediction, probably because he forgot to put (sarcasm) after his prediction. The Magic are a really good team, legitimately good, maybe good enough to win it all but so far this season are not playing up to the level expected by many after losing to the L***rs last season.
My hope for the Kings in this game is that they remember how the Magic humiliated them last year and play mentally tough for 4 quarters and doing the things they haven’t been doing well this year like limiting turnovers and making free throws and playing consistently moderately effective d for 4 quarters.
"I make love to pressure" - Stephen Jackson
Probably you're best pre-game yet
I expect to see a lot of Pietrus on Evans too.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
This
First, we must defend the 3pt shot and stay with the shooters, and let the help on Howard come from the front line. Second, foul Howard . He’s shooting 58% from the FT line and 61% from the field.
I was there last year when they made it rain 3s and though I understood we needed to double Superman, I still thought we could’ve let him beat us, instead of giving every other Magic open 3s. With them is really pick your poison, and I’d rather pick the posion that only scores 2 points to the poison that scores 3.
Let Howard show you he can make his shots; let him get his and just limit him as much as possible. That’s my strategy for tonight
The future begins now...
I agree
Let Howard score 30 and guard the perimeter. They ultimately lie and die at the 3 pt line.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Jan 12, 2010 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
Its true
They claim Disneyworld is better than Disneyland
say it all the time.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Jan 12, 2010 5:13 PM PST up reply actions
Again, thanks for taking the time, Coach Tops. Rec'd
For no other reason than a feeling…I think the Kings win this one. Go Kings.
33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.
Question
How do you come up with your Numeric Prediction? Is it some slight variation on the Super Sexy Rating System or whatever? Not that I don’t think we can give this team a solid spankin’, but as the Warriors game showed us our guys seem to be pretty uncomfortable if they’re leading by more than a few points. Game tied with under 20 seconds left, there’s our comfort zone.
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
by AnotherStupidSN on Jan 12, 2010 1:44 PM PST reply actions
Comfort zone?
Haven’t we lost most games when tied with under 20 seconds to go? Even if we were holding for the final shot?
Unfortunately, our defense allows 20 in the last 20 seconds.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
What's going on with Gortat?
Has he gone Jerome James on us?
"When you look at him, you say: 'Holy God.'" - Pete Carril on Tyreke Evans
I did notice that Howard's FGA per game is pretty low
"When you look at him, you say: 'Holy God.'" - Pete Carril on Tyreke Evans
That's cuz his FTA is so high
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
I also noticed
Howard’s FG% is higher than his FT%. Will we be playing Hack-a-Dwight tonight?
"Ok Kenny, it's your turn. Go foul him hard"
“Woof, woooof, woof, Brockman, woof”
“No, he’s already in foul trouble and it’s only the first quarter. Go now”
“Woof, pizza, woof!!”
“Yes, Sean May is over there eating. No go!!!”
“Woof!!!”
The future begins now...
by edm7 on Jan 12, 2010 4:40 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Guard the 3 and hack Howard
sounds like a recipe to me.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Jan 12, 2010 5:11 PM PST up reply actions
Very nice.
Huh. That is an interesting matchup. I think Donte can shut him down…it doesn’t seem to take much if you play Rashard with a lot of contact.
Wait, is Donte cleared to play today? They said he was a ‘maybe’ last I checked. I hope he plays tonight. The Kings need an extra non-’Reke highlight or two.
33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.
Coach Westphal Said He is a Definite Go for the Game
In the practice videos from yesterday.
by #12Pick...who? on Jan 12, 2010 3:23 PM PST up reply actions
It happens every few games. I hope you're wrong. :P
I think he comes out like gangbusters tonight and has a good game. Weird thing is that his troubles all seem mental. I haven’t seen the usual joy on his face in the last few games. Maybe its a girl or family.
33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.
Off a Hilton Armstrong tip in over Dwight.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
From a missed Kevin Martin 3.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.
This coming road trip will be a good test
There’s some winnable games there, but it is the road. Good challenge for our team and good opportunity to blend Kmart into the mix.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 12, 2010 2:36 PM PST reply actions
Let's hope the Magic
left it’s game in the Eastern timezone if only for tonight. Would love to see Martin play tonight, but I think PW is doing the right thing getting him a couple of full contact practices first. Go Kings!
Purveyor of Bull Plop
Some teams choke...
It is usually after a hard fought game where they get some swagger back and then play a team that should be an easy win. They don’t take the other team seriously and just choke.
I am really hoping Orlando fits that mold tonight…
I don't believe that they are looking 3 games ahead toward the LA game.
In fact, with Den, Por, & LA, coming up they’re probably going to come out strong. Just because they can’t afford to lose to us if they want to go back with at least a .500 road trip. Plus they’ve had a couple of days rest, and time to review what they did to beat Atl. And, what they need to beat us. Don’t sell SVG short, when it comes to prep.
"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy
Photo caption
Vince Carter reacts to the thought of meeting John Brockman in a dark alley…
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.
by outrider on Jan 12, 2010 3:00 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Either that or he's role playing 'what would happen if they met in a dark alley'.
33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.
BOLD PROCLAMATION
Tyreke Evans will hit a clutch buzzer beater and we will go on a 2 win streak going for 3 on the road.
by MexicanSKFan2Death on Jan 12, 2010 3:23 PM PST reply actions
I just can't believe they scheduled a Kings game at the same time as the American Idol premiere
Tonight’s game thread is gonna be DEAD!
On that note, see you chaps in the post-gamer…
"Sometimes the capriciousness of youth anesthetizes common sense." -Let Geoff's words guide our patience this season.
by AnotherStupidSN on Jan 12, 2010 3:24 PM PST reply actions
I won't be on the threads coz they won the last time I wasn't there.
So maybe my absence fuels them. Im gonna try missing this game too. Which is why I scheduled a long meeting with Maria. :-)
There can only be one Noce!
Bold prediction:
Orlando will hold the Arco record for 3 point shots made at 23.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
but
not make any freethrows or 2 pt FG’s and lose by 30….
we can all dream
Section214 is my hero. Good shakes!
(they already have the record - from last year)
May that game live in infamy
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Jan 12, 2010 4:00 PM PST up reply actions
It was a sad joke
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on Jan 12, 2010 4:01 PM PST up reply actions
Joke Fail.
:’(
Blessings.Love.Peace
by lifestyleforthesellout on Jan 12, 2010 4:06 PM PST up reply actions
Or...
“It’s real…I saw…The Brockness Monster. Mommy!”
StR Token Female
by LeaguePassAddict on Jan 12, 2010 5:12 PM PST up reply actions
Bold prediction
Marcin will take and make his 2nd and 3rd career 3-pointers.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Wear your D12 jersey for me.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Slightly OT
Anyone know the details on the name change on 3QC? I went over there to see what they had to say about the game tonite and 3QC had some new semi-pasteurized name of “Orlando Pinstriped Post.” (yecch)
Is there such thing as a midlife crisis for bloggers?
Ben changed it almost a week ago. He should answer all your questions with the post he wrote.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
Yeah I searched for the post where they announced the name change.
Said something about the name not being fit for a championship contender and whatnot.
Caption
Apparently Vince Carter stayed in the same hotel as the New York Knicks.
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
Whoa....
Slowing Superman would thrill me.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
I am assuming Udoka starts
and covers Vince.
Brockman on Howard?
JT on Lewis?
Casspi on Pietrus?
Tyreke on Nelson?
I think Donte ends up covering Lewis a lot.
"The basis for winning an NBA title is having a superstar in his prime. Not an all-star, or a bunch of all-stars, but a superstar."
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 12, 2010 6:57 PM PST reply actions
Vinsanity is out
Remember folks, I'm almost always wrong.
"Let Jason Heyward start the season in RF, and get the hell out of his way."
Tyreke Evans for Rookie of the Year.
Peyton Manning = Best Quarterback of all time.
At Arizona, our basketball team doesn't rebuild...we re-load.
by Scott Coleman on Jan 12, 2010 6:59 PM PST up reply actions
I'll take it!
Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal
by 27freethrows on Jan 12, 2010 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
Did you hear that starting lineup?
Talk about small ball!
Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal
Starters
Tyreke
Beno
Omni
Donte
JT
WTF?
Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal
by 27freethrows on Jan 12, 2010 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
Sorry
Udoka, not Beno
Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal
by 27freethrows on Jan 12, 2010 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
ne1 else think petrie was thinkn bout who 2 trade?
Tyreke Evans for R.O.Y!
by sac-townz finest on Jan 12, 2010 7:21 PM PST reply actions
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