Orlando Magic Blog – Page 78 – NBA Blog

Bynum and D-Howard meet Saturday

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is a big, strong, super-athletic center who rebounds, blocks shots, and dunks on people’s heads.

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum is also very big, but every aspect of the rest of his game, as well as his physical tools, are still in development.

The two giants go at each other tonight. The Los Angeles Times (Broderick Turner) reports:

“It’s going to be tough,” Bynum said. “You’re going have to keep him as far away from the basket as you can and make him shoot shots. If he starts getting dunks, it’s over.” Just ask San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, whom Howard backed down low and dunked over during a game between the Spurs and Magic on Thursday. “Yeah, I saw that,” Bynum said. “That was something.” Howard is a chiseled, 6-11, 265-pounder who is a power player… “He gets up and down the court pretty fast,” Bynum said. “He’s really good at ducking in. He’s probably the best in the league that whenever he sees the ball coming toward his side at being real aggressive.”

Magic-Lakers is the best game of the night. I’ll be watching.

Well, to be exact, I’ll be recording it, while out partying. And watching in the morning.

Enjoy the action.

Dec 18: Magic 90, Spurs 78

The AP reports: Dwight Howard came back Thursday night to help the Orlando Magic take yet another step in their bid to join the NBA’s elite teams. Howard had 14 points and 13 rebounds after missing two games because of a sore knee, and Jameer Nelson scored 24 points in the Magic’s 90-78 victory over perennial Western Conference contender San Antonio… Rashard Lewis added 15 points, and Hedo Turkoglu had 11. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 19 points. The Spurs, down by 23 in the third quarter, used a 13-4 run to draw within six in the fourth quarter, but Nelson hit back-to-back baskets to give the Magic a cushion. Nelson scored 21 of his points in the second half… The Spurs shot poorly in the first half. San Antonio made only 28 percent of its shots. Guard Tony Parker made only one of 10 shots, and Duncan was 2-of-7.

Dec 15: Magic 109, Warriors 98

The AP reports: Jameer Nelson scored 23 of his career high-tying 32 points in the second half, and the Orlando Magic beat the Golden State Warriors 109-98 on Monday night for fourth win in five road games. Marcin Gortat, starting in place of the injured Dwight Howard, recorded his second career double-double with career bests of 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Magic improved to 19-6, their best 25-game start since opening the 1994-95 season at 20-5. Rashard Lewis added 21 points and Courtney Lee had 16. Andris Beidrins scored 23 points to lead the Warriors, who have lost 12 of their last 14 games. Marco Belinelli added 19 points and Jamal Crawford scored 16.

Dec 13: Magic 103, Jazz 94

The AP reports: Could Dwight Howard be going from Superman to super sub? The All-Star center missed the first game of his career Saturday night, and coach Stan Van Gundy joked he might not get his starting spot back after the Orlando Magic used a dominating third quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 103-94… Rashard Lewis scored 27 points and Hedo Turkoglu added 22 for Orlando (18-6), which improved to 9-3 on the road this season… Andrei Kirilenko and Deron Williams each scored 17 points for Utah (15-10), which committed 22 turnovers, its second-highest total of the season.

Dec 12: Suns 113, Magic 112

The AP reports: Grant Hill had two thoughts as he ran the baseline in the closing seconds: Would he receive the pass, and should he dunk the ball? Hill settled for a reverse layup with 2.7 seconds left to lift the Phoenix Suns to a 113-112 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night… Jason Richardson scored 21 points in his Phoenix debut, Stoudemire also scored 21 and Steve had 21 points and 10 assists for the Suns, who have won six in a row against Orlando… Dwight Howard scored 19 points in 22 minutes for Orlando before leaving with 8:36 left in the third quarter because of a sore left knee.

Magic re-sign Jeremy Richardson

The Orlando Magic have re-signed guard/forward Jeremy Richardson, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.

Richardson (6’7”, 195, 3/1/84, Delta State) has appeared in just one game this season for the Magic and did not score in two minutes. He also played in three preseason contests, averaging 4.0 ppg. in 8.0 minpg. Richardson was waived on December 6.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 15 players.

The Magic begin a five-game, eight-day road trip on Monday, December 8 @ L.A. Clippers. Orlando’s next home game is Thursday, December 18 vs. San Antonio. Game time is 8 pm ET.

Dec 9: Magic 109, Blazers 108

The AP reports: Hedo Turkoglu banked in a 3-pointer from 25 feet with less than one second remaining, and the Orlando Magic rallied from a late eight-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 109-108 on Tuesday night… Rashard Lewis hit six 3-pointers and led Orlando with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Turkoglu scored 24 points. Jameer Nelson hit four 3-pointers and added 21 points for the Magic. Portland, which fell to 15-8 and into a first-place tie with Denver in the Northwest Division, was led by Brandon Roy, who scored a season-high 30 points. Roy hit 10 of 20 shots and scored 20 points during the second half… Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge had 25 points and 13 rebounds. The second pick of the 2006 draft, Aldridge hit 12 of 17 shots, and went 5-of-5 during the fourth quarter. Reserve Joel Przybilla added 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Dec 8: Magic 95, Clippers 88

The AP reports: “It was a weird game, but we’ve got to learn how to close things out,” said Orlando’s Dwight Howard, who had 23 points, 22 rebounds, six blocks and four assists… Orlando took a big lead early, fell behind, then came back in the fourth quarter. Baron Davis, who finished with 27 points, hit a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left in the third quarter to give the Clippers a 75-66 lead, their biggest margin of the game… Rashard Lewis added 18 points for Orlando and Jameer Nelson had 15. Zach Randolph had 21 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, and Marcus Camby had 17 rebounds.

Magic waive Jeremy Richardson

The Orlando Magic have waived Jeremy Richardson, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.

Richardson appeared in just one game this season for the Magic and did not score in two minutes. He played in three preseason contests, averaging 4.0 ppg. in 8.0 minpg.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 14 players. The Magic begin a five-game, eight-day road trip on Monday, December 8 @ L.A. Clippers. Orlando’s next home game is Thursday, December 18 vs. San Antonio. Game time is 8 pm ET.

Dec 3: Magic 100, Wolves 89

The AP reports: Dwight Howard had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Lewis also scored 23 points to lead the Magic to a 100-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Turkoglu added 22 for the Magic, who have won two of three despite missing their top three guards with injuries. Al Jefferson had 19 to lead the Timberwolves. The Magic’s starting backcourt of J.J. Redick and Anthony Johnson combined for only seven points, but rookie Courtney Lee came off the bench to score a season-high 16. Lee shot 8-of-10 from the field and made all three 3-pointers.