Spurs-Magic Preview

[duncan228]

http://www.nba.com/games/20080325/SA...scoreboardhome

Spurs-Magic Preview
By BRETT HUSTON, STATS Writer

The Orlando Magic appear to be locked into the third spot in the Eastern Conference as the season winds down, but with a stretch run light on playoff contenders, something to gauge their progress wouldn't hurt.

A visit from the defending champs might be just what they need.

The Magic will look for their 11th win in the last 13 games on their home court Tuesday when they face the San Antonio Spurs, who are looking for their fourth straight victory.

Orlando (46-26) is 5 1/2 games up on Cleveland for the East's third playoff seed with 10 games to play, and leads second-place Washington in the Southeast Division by 8 1/2, making its first division le since 1995-96 a mere formality.

But six of the Magic's last eight games have been against teams with .500 records or worse, as will six of their next eight after the Spurs (47-23) come to town.

"I think we've got to have a mature approach to every game because all these games mean something to us," center Dwight Howard said after Orlando's latest home win, 113-95 over Philadelphia on Friday. "Not just try to get the regular season over with, and get to the playoffs. All these games are preparing us. Every day is something to learn to get ready for the playoffs."

On the road Saturday against Atlanta, the Magic erased a 14-point first-half deficit to take the lead after three quarters, but were outscored by 12 in the fourth en route to a 98-90 loss.

Howard, an All-Star starter, is the NBA's leading rebounder at 14.4 per game, but he hasn't been scoring much lately as Orlando has dropped two of three. He leads the Magic with 21.1 points per game, but has averaged just 9.0 in his last three games and has only taken 18 shots.

Though a game against Tim Duncan and the Spurs wouldn't seem like the best time to get Howard more shots, the 22-year-old has played well against San Antonio's front line in the past.

He's averaging 23.8 points in his last four against the Spurs, and had a game-winning dunk with less than a second remaining as part of a 30-point effort the last time San Antonio came to Orlando on Feb. 9, 2007.

Howard had 34 points and 16 rebounds on Nov. 21 in San Antonio, but Tony Parker's 32 points and Manu Ginobili's 27 led the Spurs to a 128-110 win.

San Antonio has picked up its play after losing four straight and six of seven. It has won three in a row to put Gregg Popovich's team back in a tight three-way battle for the Southwest Division le.

The Spurs earned their first road victory over a team with a winning record since Feb. 13 on Sunday, beating division-rival Dallas 88-81 despite shooting only 33.0 percent.

"When we were losing, we were flat. We had no emotion," said Ginobili, who had a game-high 26 points. "We needed a game like this."

Parker has been the Spurs' best offensive option lately, averaging 21.3 points in his last seven games.

But as usual, San Antonio is winning with its defense. The Spurs allow just 91.0 points per game - best in the Western Conference - and they're also the best in the conference defending the 3-pointer (33.7 percent).

They'll have to guard the perimeter closely against Orlando, which takes an average of 25.1 3-pointers, second-most in the league. Three Magic players - Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Keith Bogans - are among the league's top 12 in shots attempted from beyond the arc.

[duncan228]

http://www.nba.com/spurs/gameday/080325.html

Probable Starters:

Parker
Guard
18.6 PPG
Finley
Guard
9.4 PPG
Bowen
Forward
5.9 PPG
Duncan
Forward
19.6 PPG
Oberto
Center
4.7 PPG

Spur in the Spotlight
Manu Ginobili
Manu Ginobili had 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists on Sunday against the Mavs.

Did You Know...
The Magic is the only team in the NBA to have never won a season series against the Spurs … Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu spent the 2003-04 season with San Antonio … he averaged 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 80 games … Magic director of player development Morlon Wiley spent time with the Spurs … Wiley appeared in three games during the 1991-92 campaign.

[xtremesteven33]

Im predicting a BIG night from Duncan tonight.....

[MoSpur]

Orlando seems to give us trouble. Hedo is playing really good right now. Who does Bowen guard? Lewis?

[LilMissSPURfect]

that Howard guy is good

[duncan228]

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/gametime_032508.html

Baseline Blog
By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com

PREGAME

Two of the NBA's top teams square off at Amway Arena on Tuesday night as the 46-26 Orlando Magic face the 47-23 San Antonio Spurs.

The defending NBA Champion Spurs are currently clinging to the sixth seed in the Western Conference as they visit Amway for the first time this regular season.

The game features two teams' with completely different styles with the Magic playing an up-tempo, free flowing game, and the Spurs aiming for a slow, half-court game predicated at the defensive end.

San Antonio came to Orlando for a preseason game in late October (Magic won 99-90), but the two teams' met on December 12th in San Antonio with the Spurs outscoring the Magic 128-110.

In that game, Dwight Howard (34 points, 16 rebounds) and Hedo Turkoglu (26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) helped the Magic shoot 56 percent from the floor including 50 percent from beyond the arc.

The Spurs were led in victory by their dynamic trio of point guard Tony Parker (32 points), shooting guard Manu Ginobili (27 points), and power forward Tim Duncan (20 points, 16 rebounds).

Parker (18.6 ppg, 5.8 apg), Ginobili (20.1 ppg), and Duncan (19.6 ppg, 11.5 rpg) have helped the Spurs get back on track having won their last three games after a season-high four-game losing streak.

The Magic, on the other hand, are in the midst of a 9-3 record during the month of March and have won 10 out of their last 11 contests at home.

Expect the Magic to come out strong as they head down the home stretch inching closer to their first Southeast Division le.

MAGIC INJURY REPORT

Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder – underwent successful surgery on Oct. 24; will likely miss the entire season.

TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:

Mar. 25 vs. San Antonio (Orlando, FL): Orlando is 11-27 all-time vs. San Antonio (8-10 at home, 3-17 on the road) during the regular season, including 0-1 this season (see recap below)…The teams split 1-1 last season...The Magic have split the last six meetings, but lost 10 of the last 13 outings overall in the series...The Magic have lost five of the last seven matchups at home, and 14 of the last 16 on the road…Maurice Evans attend the University of Texas…Hedo Turkoglu spent the 2003-04 season with the Spurs…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. San Antonio, see p. 281 of the media guide…Nov. 21 @ San Antonio – Spurs 128, Magic 110: Tony Parker tallied 32 points and nine assists, while Manu Ginobili netted 27 points, as San Antonio defeated Orlando, 128-110, at AT&T Center. The loss snaps the Magic’s team-record seven-game road winning streak. Tim Duncan recorded 20 points, 16 rebounds and five assists. Dwight Howard paced the Magic with 34 points, 16 boards and three blocks, and Hedo Turkoglu poured in a season-high 26 points. Both teams shot the ball well from the floor – Orlando shot 56.0 percent and was 10-of-20 from three-point range, while San Antonio shot 51.6 percent and was 13-of-24 from beyond the three-point arc. The Magic led 34-30 after the first quarter and 64-59 at halftime. San Antonio stormed back during the second half and outscored Orlando during the fourth quarter, 35-20. Brent Barry scored 11 of his 19 points during the second half and was 5-of-6 from three-point land.

BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. SPURS: 38 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ San Antonio, 1-20-01)

BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 47 pts., Tim Duncan (@ Orlando, 12-5-03)

[E20]

One of these days I'm gonna post these types of threads before Duncan228

[SouthernFried]

The schedule from continues...

[The Truth #6]

Perhaps Kurt on the Child Man will be more effective than Tim?

[SpurAddict561]

I'll be at the game tonight!

Look for the belligerant sailor in the away Duncan jersey causing ruckus in the crowd!!

let's goooooooooooooooooooooo

[MoSpur]

Way to represent.

[ducks]

thomas shut down howard

[to21]

Damn, d228 you've been busy this morn.

Good Stuff.

[duncan228]

Damn, d228 you've been busy this morn.

There seems to be quite a bit out there this morning.
We must be heading into the Playoffs!

[MoSpur]

I guess Fab's will start off on Dwight? Orlando has a small ball lineup. Does Pop mess with his starting five? It will be Evans, Nelson, Lewis, Turk, and Howard starting for the Magic.

[Budkin]

I love it when I get to see my two favorite teams play. Of course I'll be rooting for the Spurs.

[angel_luv]

Hooray! It's Hedo day! I <3 Hedo!

But I also <3 my Spurs.

The Spurs need this win and I hope we get it in grand fashion.

Though, I do hope Hedo has an awesome game.

[duncan228]

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/t...spx?id=4140660

Spurs try to extend winning streak against Orlando

(Sports Network) - The San Antonio Spurs shoot for their fourth straight win tonight, when they wrap up a brief two-game road trip against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena.

The Spurs have won three in a row, including Sunday's 88-81 victory over the rival Dallas Mavericks in the opener of the short swing at American Airlines Center. Manu Ginobili poured in 26 points, pulled down eight rebounds and dished out six assists for the Spurs, who improved to 19-17 as the guest.

Tim Duncan had 19 points and 13 rebounds in the win, as San Antonio sits sixth in the Western Conference playoff chase. The Spurs, who are tied with Phoenix for No. 5 in the West standings, are one game behind the first place New Orleans Hornets in the Southwest Division.

In injury news for the Spurs, veteran forward and seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game.

Orlando has dropped two of three following a five-game winning streak, and suffered a 98-90 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday at Philips Arena. Hedo Turkoglu scored 18 points to lead Orlando, which remains third in the East playoff standings. Dwight Howard added 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds for the Southeast Division-leading Magic.

The Magic have won five of six at home and own a 23-13 record at Amway Arena in 2007-08.

Tuesday's showdown between San Antonio and Orlando is the second and final meeting of the regular season. The Spurs posted a 128-110 victory on November 21 at the AT&T Center, as Tony Parker poured in 32 points and handed out nine assists to lead the way.

San Antonio has won 10 of 13 and 11 of the last 15 meetings with Orlando. It has also won five of seven and six of the last nine at the Magic.

[Texas_Ranger]

It'll be a tough game tonight, but the Spurs'll win. I hope that Dwight will miss a lot of shots, if not we're screwed.

GO SPURS GO!

[1Parker1]

Parker (18.6 ppg, 5.8 apg), Ginobili (20.1 ppg), and Duncan (19.6 ppg, 11.5 rpg)

Wow, how many other trio's in the league are all averaging close to 20 ppg?

[Texas_Ranger]

Wow, how many other trio's in the league are all averaging close to 20 ppg?

Boston: P.P-20, K.G-18,8, R.A-18,4
Magic: D.H-21,1, Hedo-19,9, Lewis-19,3
Warriors: Davis-22,3, S-JAX-20,9, Ellis-19,8
Wizards: Arenas(just 8 games)-22,4, Jamison-21,8, Butler-20,8

[1Parker1]

Alright...so a lot more than I thought..

[ancestron]

Jamir Nelson likes to have career nights against the Spurs.

[SpurAddict561]

^so much for that!!

hahaha