Gamethread 1/13 Magic @ Thunder

[Osprey 199]

Where:

 

 

http://www.nba.com/games/20110113/ORLOKC/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0021000574

 

Magic-Thunder Preview

 

By NOEY KUPCHAN

Posted Jan 13 2011 2:07AM

After failing to set a team record for consecutive wins, the Orlando Magic hope to start a new run in a matchup they have dominated in recent years.

The Magic look to post their 10th win in 11 games overall and their ninth in their last 10 tries against the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise when the teams meet Thursday night at Oklahoma City Arena.

Orlando, which had defeated its opponents by an average margin of 13.9 points during its season-best nine-game winning streak, fell 92-89 to New Orleans in overtime Wednesday night despite 29 points and 20 rebounds from Dwight Howard.

Trailing by one, Howard had a chance to give the Magic (25-13) the lead with 11 seconds remaining in overtime, but missed a pair of free throws to effectively end Orlando's bid for a club-record 10th straight victory.

"We didn't play well enough or hard enough to win," coach Stan Van Gundy told the Magic's official website. "We've survived a few games here and gotten wins when we haven't put together a complete game.

"We're in some bad habits right now of not playing all 48 minutes. It bit us and hopefully we'll learn from it and move on."

Despite his failure in the clutch against the Hornets, Howard could be in line for another big game against an Oklahoma City team which allowed an opponent season-high 70 points in the paint Wednesday night.

The Thunder (26-13) managed to win despite giving up all those inside buckets, beating Houston for the first time in 12 visits, 118-112.

Oklahoma City has won three straight overall, but Kevin Durant knows giving up 112 points won't result in many victories.

"We've just got to be more locked in and focused, and worry about that end more than the offensive end," said Durant, who scored a team-high 30 points. "But we'll be all right."

Durant is averaging 17.6 points against the Magic over his career - his fewest versus any opponent. He did, however, score 28 in a 102-74 home victory Nov. 8, 2009. Orlando hasn't suffered as lopsided a loss since then.

Durant is averaging 34.4 points over his last five home games, four of them wins for the Thunder.

Russell Westbrook added 23 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds Wednesday but shot a pedestrian 7 of 19 from the field, continuing his recent shooting woes. The Oklahoma City point guard is shooting 35.3 percent from the field in his last three games. He's been even worse - 33.9 percent - in four career games against Orlando.

The Magic have taken eight of the last nine meetings between these clubs, with the Nov. 8, 2009 contest the lone exception. Five of the games in that stretch took place when the Thunder were still the Seattle SuperSonics.

[Osprey 199]

Who?

HEDO TUKOLGLU IMAGE NOT FOUND

 

Bench

 

vs.

 

Durant and Westbrook and some other guys.

 

Osprey's keys to the game:

 

1. Show hard on Westbrook/Durant Pick and rolls

2. Go to Dwight early and often

3. Make Jeff Green shoot from outside

4. Run Harden off the three point line (he's hot right now)

5. Need to match Westbrook's production from the point guard spot (Gilbert or Jameer need to show up, can't repeat last night)

6. Avoid technical fouls

 

Your WTF video for the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfzNEmqeIWo&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

 

Go MAGIC

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMfHsZ4iKUM&feature=player_embedded&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

[gatorbait1689 1]

Hopefully they shake last night off.

[Jareth Cutestory 678]

we goin' down down baby oh see my lady snooki shakin' what ready to let it go shimmy shimmy cocoa puffs pass it to me now light up and take a puff pass it to me now

 

That rap song represents how bad we will lose tonight. THUNDERCLAP.

[Osprey 199]

Everyone add their +rep to Jareth

[BMP 424]

Hey guys we win amirite wooooooooo 11 games in a row lets do this so glad to be going to the 2nd round :bigparty:

[Chase 209]

We lose. Dwight will miss two clutch ft's.

 

 

O WAIT! That was last night

 

:svgsad:

[Bauncey Chillups 288]

Prepare for some hot fire spewing out of Kenny "OKC will be the 3rd seed in the playoffs" Smith.

[Agent Zero 1]

To be honest I think that we're going to lose this one. I hope I'm wrong.

[Franchero MVP 391]

We lose again to start a massive losing streak.

 

Then we trade for a big man.

 

Then we start winning again! Yay! :bigparty:

[ma 6]

Hedo Images:

 

 

1 996

[Drain-O 369]

Hedo guarding Durant should be an adventure. I think we might see some Earl Clark tonight. Anyway Durant scores 50, Jareth says we should trade for Jeff Green, and the Magic lose by 4.

 

Panic ensues.