Magic trade Josh McRoberts to Bobcats for Hakim Warrick

Magic trade Josh McRoberts to Bobcats for Hakim Warrick

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has acquired forward Josh McRoberts from the Orlando Magic in exchange for forward Hakim Warrick. McRoberts will wear No. 11. The Bobcats roster remains at 14 players.

“Josh McRoberts is a quality young big man who can play either post position for us,” Higgins said. “We look forward to adding his size and energy to our rotation.”

Currently in his sixth NBA season, the 6-10 McRoberts has career averages of 4.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists, along with a career field goal percentage of .496 (444-896), in 246 games played for the Trail Blazers, Pacers, Lakers and Magic. In 41 games for Orlando this season, he averaged 3.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 16.7 minutes. Earlier this season he posted career highs of 14 rebounds on Nov. 25 against Boston and eight assists on Jan. 7 at Portland.

McRoberts was originally selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers after two years at Duke University, where he was a teammate of Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson during the 2006-07 season. He had his best overall season in 2010-11, when he averaged career highs of 7.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 22.2 minutes in 72 games played for the Pacers, including 51 starts.

Warrick was acquired by the Bobcats from New Orleans on November 13, 2012, in exchange for Matt Carroll. He appeared in 27 games for the Bobcats, including 14 starts, and averaged 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.9 minutes.

Magic guard Jameer Nelson has knee strain

Magic guard Jameer Nelson has knee strain

Jameer Nelson has been diagnosed as having a strained patellar tendon in his left knee, Orlando Magic officials announced today.

The team would not specify the severity of the strain, whether the tendon was stretched or torn. But officials said Nelson’s injury will be evaluated further when he accompanies the team back to Central Florida following its road game Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Nelson hurt his knee late in the Magic’s 111-96 loss Wednesday night to the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

Nelson suffered the injury as he drove against Darren Collison and attempted to stop quickly. Nelson crumpled to the floor, and Collison forced a jump ball.

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel (Blog)

Jeff Van Gundy thinks Dwight Howard had it good in Orlando

dwight howard

If Dwight Howard knew then what he knows now, he would probably still be with the Orlando Magic.

Or so says ESPN and ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy, who says Howard’s struggles with the dysfunctional Los Angles Lakers probably makes him pine for his glory days in Orlando.

“I think he thought he wanted a big market, but I think what he’s realizing is that he needs a smaller environment where the fans and media overlook whatever weaknesses he has,” Jeff said on our Open Mike radio show. “He had it great in Orlando, and I think only after you leave do you realize just how good you had it. Unfortunately, you can’t go back home again.

“Those years in Orlando, you could have made the case that no one was more valuable to a team than Dwight Howard was to the Magic. That guy could have been the MVP a couple of times and should have gotten stronger consideration for what he accomplished. For whatever reason, I think he’s lost his way.”

— By Mike Bianchi, columnist for the Orlando Sentinel

Josh Smith, Al Horford lead Hawks past Magic 108-76

Josh Smith

Josh Smith had 30 points and 10 rebounds and Al Horford added 26 points and 12 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks blew past the Orlando Magic 108-76 on Wednesday night.

The Hawks led by as many as 38 points and decimated the Magic defense on the way to earning their ninth consecutive regular-season win over their division rivals.

Jameer Nelson and Andrew Nicholson led the Magic with 10 points apiece. No other Orlando players reached double-figures.

The Magic have now lost 24 of their last 27 games.

It was the last game for both teams before the All-Star break. Orlando heads to Charlotte on Feb. 19 and Atlanta next plays at Miami on Feb. 20.

Horford and Smith scored at will both inside and from the outside, and had a combined point total that equaled the Magic’s team total after three quarters…

The Hawks’ started the game just 1 for 10 from the field and had just a six-point cushion after one. They erupted in the second, though, outscoring the Magic 32-17 as they built a 21-point halftime lead…

Horford and Smith combined for 30 points and 17 rebounds in the half, just a shade under the 36 points and 18 rebounds the Magic had as a team.

— Reported by Kyle Hightower of the Associated Press

Hedo Turkoglu suspended 20 games for violating NBA anti-drug program

Hedo Turkoglu of the Orlando Magic has been suspended without pay for twenty games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for methenolone, it was announced today by the NBA.

Turkoglu’s suspension will begin tonight when the Magic play host to the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center.

Statement from Turkoglu: “While I was back home in Turkey this past summer, I was given a medication by my trainer to help recover more quickly from a shoulder injury.  I didn’t know that this was a banned substance and didn’t check before taking it. “I take full responsibility for anything that goes into my body. This was a complete error in judgment on my part and I apologize to the Orlando Magic organization, the league, my teammates, and the Magic fans. I know I have let down a lot of people and I am truly sorry for my mistake.”

Statement from Orlando Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan: “Hedo unknowingly took a banned substance. There are more than 125 banned substances on the NBA List, and we spend a lot of time educating our players on the contents of that list and will certainly continue to do so moving forward. We believe this was an honest mistake.”

According to the Associated Press, “Turkoglu is making about $11.8 million this season. He has one more year remaining on his current deal. He was picked as the NBA’s most improved player in 2008 while with Orlando.”

Magic beat Blazers to end 12-game losing streak

jj redick

J.J. Redick scored 22 points, Nikola Vucevic added 17 points and 19 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 110-104 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.

The Magic shot 50 percent from the field in earning their first win since Jan. 16. They play their next two games at home. Reserve Gustavo Ayon had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Orlando.

LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 25 points. Nicolas Batum added 19 points and Wesley Matthews chipped in 17.

The Blazers, who have lost three in a row overall, fell to 1-7 in their last eight road games. They play at Miami on Tuesday and New Orleans on Wednesday before the All-Star break.

Orlando held a 79-72 lead entering the final quarter but had to push back against multiple attempts at a run by the Blazers down the stretch…

Orlando is the second straight opponent to shoot at least 50 percent against Portland…

Magic F Hedo Turkoglu missed his third straight game with flu-like symptoms.

— Reported by Kyle Hightower of the Associated Press

Thaddeus Young hurt in Sixers win over Magic

thaddeus young

Thaddeus Young pounded his fist on the court in agony, his all-out dive for a loose ball too much for his left hamstring.

Young was out for the game – and the 76ers’ top rebounder could be out for two weeks.

His injury knocked the wind out of the Sixers on a night they matched their season-high tying three-game win streak. Spencer Hawes had 21 points and 14 rebounds and Jrue Holiday had 13 points and 14 assists to lead Philadelphia to a 78-61 win over the short-handed Orlando Magic on Monday night.

”This is a game you’re supposed to win,” coach Doug Collins said. ”But it’s a big loss with Thad.” …

Nick Young had 15 points to help the Sixers win three straight games for the first time since the final three games of November. Hawes and Young both scored big buckets during a 14-1 run in the third quarter that helped the Sixers put away the undermanned Magic.

Orlando listed six players as inactive in its 10th straight loss. E’Twaun Moore had 18 points and Nik Vucevic grabbed 14 rebounds…

The Magic had six players out, notably leading scorer Arron Afflalo (strained left calf), Jameer Nelson (bruised left forearm), J.J. Redick (sore right shoulder) and Glen Davis (broken left foot). DeQuan Jones (sore left foot) and Al Harrington (right knee) also sat out.

Orlando started Moore and Ish Smith in the backcourt and Vucevic, Josh McRoberts and Maurice Harkless in the frontcourt.

— Reported by Dan Gelston of the Associated Press

Magic forward Glen Davis suffers broken foot

glen davis

For much of Wednesday, the Orlando Magic displayed the kind of grit and resiliency that head coach Jacque Vaughn has grown to love about this team. Guards Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick carried the offense, while the defense did its best to slow New York superstar Carmelo Anthony.

But as the game wore on, a devastating injury to Glen “Big Baby’’ Davis further sabotaged the short-handed Magic, and attrition and a talent deficit won out, resulting in another lost night for Orlando.

Despite red-hot shooting and valiant efforts from Nelson and Redick, the Magic couldn’t keep pace with the Knicks more than a half, again gave up a flurry of fourth-quarter 3-pointers and lost 113-97 to New York.

Davis, who was in the midst of his finest season as a pro, was likely lost for the rest of the season when he fractured his left foot early in the game. The team found out about the news of the crippling injury midway through Wednesday’s game, sapping the life out of the squad.

— Reported by John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com

DeRozan lifts Raptors over Magic at buzzer

demar derozan

DeMar DeRozan swished a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer as the Toronto Raptors fought off a late-game charge by the Orlando Magic to earn a 97-95 victory on Thursday night.

It was a wild offensive night on both ends, featuring 12 lead changes and 12 players reaching double figures.

DeRozan led Toronto with 22 points, followed by Amir Johnson with 21 points and 10 rebounds. It was Johnson’s sixth double-double of the season.

The victory gave the Raptors a four-game season sweep of Magic, who dropped their fourth game in a row.

Nikola Vucevic led Orlando with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Arron Afflalo added 16 points and Glen Davis had 15.

The Magic have lost 15 of their last 17 overall. They host Detroit on Sunday…

After three of their previous four games went to overtime, the Raptors found themselves in another close game late.

— Reported by Kyle Hightower of the Associated Press

Mavs hold off late Magic surge in 111-105 win

shawn marion

Shawn Marion had 20 points, and O.J. Mayo and Vince Carter scored 15 apiece as the Dallas Mavericks fought off a late Orlando surge and beat the Magic 111-105 on Sunday night.

The Mavericks led by 13 in the fourth quarter, before the Magic pulled within a basket in the final minute.

Dallas earned its seventh straight road victory in its series against Orlando. The Mavericks now have five days off before hosting division-leader San Antonio on Friday.

Glen Davis led Orlando with 24 points, followed by Jameer Nelson with 20 and J. J. Redick’s 18.

The Magic have lost three of their last four games and also fell for the seventh straight time to an opponent with a sub-.500 record.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said Dirk Nowitzki, who played in his 15th game following offseason knee surgery, may need until February to get back to full strength.

The former MVP finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. He scored six points in the first half, but was active with some early assists as Dallas built a small cushion after digging out of an early hole…

Davis was whistled for a technical foul with 9:31 left in the third quarter.

— Reported by Kyle Hightower of the Associated Press