Orlando Magic Blog – Page 61 – NBA Blog

Orlando Magic are on fire

John Schuhmann of NBA.com reports:

The Magic are 14-3 since the [NBA All-Star] break, second only to the Bucks (15-3). But statistically, Orlando has been more dominant than anybody. The Magic have outscored their opponents by 14.8 points every 100 possessions over those 17 games. The next best team since the break has been the Phoenix Suns, who have been just 9.3 points better than their opponents.

The Magic have been terrific defensively since November. For the second straight season, they’re the top defense in the league, allowing 99.7 points every 100 possessions, a hair less than the Celtics. But it’s been on offense that they’ve taken off since the break.

With Vince Carter finding the right balance between aggressiveness and unselfishness, and Jameer Nelson all the way back from arthroscopic knee surgery, the Magic are now as potent as any offense in the league. And when a team has both a great offense and a great defense … well, even Magic coach Stan Van Gundy admits that he’s happy with the way his team is playing…

Orlando is taking care of business against the weaker teams, and the Magic have held their own against the rest of the elite. Van Gundy may want to fine tune some things, but with three weeks to go in the regular season, no team is more ready for the playoffs than the Magic.

Free state tax returns for Nets fans Friday

The New Jersey Nets come up with some seriously cool promotions for fans. Here’s their latest:

Roni Deutch Tax Center, one of the nation’s fastest growing tax preparation franchise companies, will provide all New Jersey residents 18 years and older who attend the NETS-Orlando Magic game at the IZOD CENTER on Friday, March 5 with a coupon for preparation of a free state tax return.

Through a new partnership with NETS Basketball, Roni Deutch Tax Center will have representatives on site at NETS Tax Night on March 5 to answer tax-related questions before and during the game.

In addition, NETS fans who attend any upcoming home game at the IZOD CENTER this season, other than March 5, can receive a coupon in the NETS Game Program good for up to $50 off of tax preparation services at a Roni Deutch Tax Center in Hackensack, Bergenfield, and Fair Lawn. Upon completion of their returns, Roni Deutch customers will also receive NETS tickets for this season, while supplies last.

“My life’s mission is to empower every American to take charge of their tax lives,” said Roni Deutch, president and founder of Roni Deutch Tax Center. “Partnering with NETS Basketball is our opportunity to get involved in the community, ensuring that local taxpayers and basketball fans have the information they need to be prepared this tax season and save big bucks on their taxes.”

Magic to honor Darrell Armstrong Feb. 19

As part of the Orlando Magic’s “Commitment to the Past,” fan-favorite guard Darrell Armstrong will be honored by the organization when the Magic host Dallas on Friday, Feb. 19 at Amway Arena. Game time is 8 p.m.

Undrafted by any NBA franchise, Armstrong was originally signed as a free agent by Orlando on Apr. 8, 1995. He went on to play 502 regular season games during nine seasons with the Magic, averaging 11.7 ppg., 5.1 apg. and 1.65 stlpg.

Armstrong ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in almost every single category, including games played (3rd, 502), points (8th, 5,898), assists (3rd, 2,555), steals (2nd, 830), three-point field goals made (3rd, 654) and three-point field goals attempted (3rd, 1,892).

From Feb. 5, 1999 to Apr. 3, 2001, Armstrong played in 206 consecutive games, at the time a franchise record (Dwight Howard later appeared in 351 straight games from Nov. 3, 2004 to Dec. 12, 2008). He still holds the team record for most consecutive free throws made without a miss with 47.

Past honorees of the Orlando Magic’s “Commitment to the Past” include Nick Anderson, Matt Guokas, Dennis Scott, Scott Skiles, Jeff Turner and Pat Williams.

Vince Carter scores 48

The AP reports:

Vince Carter had a season-high 48 points, leading the Orlando Magic back from a 17-point second-half deficit to beat the New Orleans Hornets 123-117 on Monday night.

Carter was 19 for 27 shooting and had 34 points in the second half with some of the most sizzling moves since he joined the Magic, who have won nine of their last 11 games.

Dwight Howard added 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Rashard Lewis finished with 18 points for Orlando…

It was by far Carter’s best performance since he was traded from New Jersey in the offseason, finishing three shy of his career high. The eight-time All-Star expected to be Orlando’s missing piece to a title was back in peak form, and the Magic can only hope he stays there.

Stan Van Gundy to coach 2010 East All-Star team

Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy will coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, to be played on Sunday, Feb. 14, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

With a 91-86 road victory tonight over the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills, the Magic (32-16, .667) clinched the second-best record in the Eastern Conference through Jan. 31. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Mike Brown coached the East in last year’s game and is not eligible for the honor this season.

In his third year as coach, Van Gundy has Orlando poised to win its third straight Southeast Division title and back in title contention a season after guiding the Magic to The Finals. The Magic posted a 111-53 mark during Van Gundy’s first two years at the helm. Including his two-plus-year sting as head coach of the Miami Heat, Van Gundy has earned NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honors on five occasions. With a 255-142 (.642) overall coaching record, Van Gundy is almost certainly assured of owning one of the top winning percentages in league annals when he reaches the minimum requirement of 400 games coached.

George Karl of the Denver Nuggets earned the right to coach the Western Conference earlier this week and will man the sidelines of his fourth NBA All-Star Game of his 22-year NBA coaching career. Los Angeles’ Phil Jackson, who coached last year’s West squad, is not eligible to coach this year’s All-Star Game.

The NBA All-Star Game will broadcast live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 14, from Arlington.

Doc Rivers says Dwight Howard hits opponents more than anybody

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports (via blog):

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers chuckles at the notion that Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is on the receiving end of more physical play than Howard dishes out.

I asked Rivers following his team’s shootaround today whether the Celtics are more physical with Howard than other teams.

“I don’t think so,” Rivers said. “We don’t have ‘Howard Rules,’ I can tell you that. We just go out and play one-on-one defense. We have big guys. We have guys who are very good defenders. I literally get a kick out of all the Howard people [saying Howard is always on the receiving end of physical play]. ”Clearly, people are looking one way. Howard gives out far more punishment than he gets, I can guarantee you that. I actually giggle at that when I hear all the ‘Howard’s getting hit’ talk. It’s a joke to me. That guy hits more than anybody in the league. So, if you’re gonna give it out [you’ve got to be prepared to take it]. That’s the way we look at it.”

Stan Van Gundy talks with frustrated Rashard Lewis

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Coach Stan Van Gundy said he met with PF Rashard Lewis on Thursday “for quite a while” to discuss his frustration — and the team’s.

Lewis said after Wednesday night’s game loss to the Denver Nuggets that he wasn’t getting quite enough shots.

Does he have a point?

“Yes and no. We need to find more shots for our keys guys, but part of it is the defense is keying on those guys, especially on Rashard,” Van Gundy said. “Part of it his energy and aggressiveness. I talked to him quite a while (Thursday).

“I think he’s frustrated. That’s a bit of the problem. There’s sort of a frustration running through our team. Rashard had made a comment that sometimes it feels like we’re a last-place team. That sort of sums up a little bit of where our guys are right now.”

Vince Carter still learning to fit in with Magic

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Thirty-seven games into the season, the Magic (25-12) are still trying to adjust to [Vince] Carter — and Carter to them.

Sometimes, teammates stand around and watch Carter play. Sometimes, they defer to him unnecessarily or Carter defers to them unnecessarily.

“It’s different. We weren’t used to playing like that last year … Turk [ Hedo Turkoglu] had the ball, Jameer [Nelson] had it. It was pretty balanced at the end of every game. Everybody got about the same amount of shots,” forward Rashard Lewis said.

And now?

“Vince is the type of player who needs the ball in his hands. He dominates the ball sometimes. That’s how he became Vince Carter,” Lewis continued. “We got to adjust to that, learn how to play with him dominating the ball.

“We’re still adjusting to it, but he’s not going anywhere. He’s our teammate.”

Antawn Jamison addresses Wizards fans before Friday game

Friday night in Washington, D.C. the Wizards are hosting the Orlando Magic.

Before tipoff, Wizards forward Antawn Jamison took the microphone and addressed fans in the arena in response to recent issues with Gilbert Arenas bringing guns to the locker room, a reported possible bad response by Javaris Crittenton, and then days later, several teammates making light of the situation by laughing with Gilbert as he used his fingers to jokingly pretend to be armed and dangerous.

InsideHoops.com heard Jamison and transcribed what he said. Here’s Antawn:

How you guys doing?

On behalf of my teammates, this organization and this coaching staff, we know it’s been a trying week. One thing my teammates and I take very seriously is being a positive role model. It’s something we don’t take lightly.

There’s been a picture that’s been shown of us taking this event very lightly. This is a serious situation. It’s something that we take to heart. We never meant to make light of the situation. We’re going to do everything in our power, as long as I’m your captain, as long as these guys right here are my teammates, to make this one of the most respectable organizations in the league.

[Wizards fans cheer]

In order for that to happen, we need you guys to continue to support us. This thing right here is very embarrassing for my teammates and the coaching staff, but we’re going to do everything positive to make this one of the toughest places to play in. To make this an exciting place. But most importantly, a place where you can bring your kids, your families, your buddy, to come and have a good time.

Enjoy the game tonight. Thanks a lot!

I think he did a fine job.

Roy Hibbert has great game in win over Magic

The AP reports:

Roy Hibbert has no problem displaying the lighter side of his personality off the court. However, he was all business against one of the NBA’s premier centers.

The 7-foot-2-inch Hibbert had a career-high 26 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 97-90 victory over the Orlando Magic and All-Star Dwight Howard last night in Indianapolis.

Hibbert added 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 assists for the Pacers (11-23), who have won two of three after losing eight straight. Howard played with foul trouble most of the night and finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports:

Hibbert was able to use Howard’s two early fouls to his advantage.

He scored 12 of the Pacers’ 24 points in the first quarter and added six more in the second quarter when they led by as many as 10.

Things were going so well for Hibbert, he made two jumpers as the shot clock expired and the Magic threw several double-teams at him in the post.

Hibbert outscored Howard, Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter, who combined for 21. Howard finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out in 28 minutes.