Karsceal Turner
I Got Next!
Special to West Orlando News Online
Folks, this is what you love to see in your team. An old-fashion whipping…using a switch. (you remember switches right?) The Magic burnt the Phoenix Suns the way that old switch used to burn us for being naughty when we were kids.
How were the Suns naughty? They dared to come into a packed Amway Center with Steve Nash in street clothes. It didn’t help that Grant Hill was in the house too, (the crowd gave him the business all night). Perhaps Magic fans are still salty about his stint in “Jamlando” when he was largely plagued by injuries and simply collecting a paycheck. Who knows these things?
Anyway, the punishment fit the crime as the Magic thrashed the Suns 105-89 Thursday night. They literally sent the Phoenix back to the valley of the sun with their asses scorched. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy’s team capitalized on Nash being on the bench and any other weaknesses the Suns displayed.
“They’re an up-and-down team that scores a lot of points. And without Steve Nash, it’s hard for them to play at that pace,” he said.
Orlando showed dominance in nearly every facet of the game with all five starters in double figures. The efficiency began with a 60 percent shooting clinic in the first half. Your Boy Dwight Howard dropped a dub (20 points), along with 12 boards for a nice double-double.
Jameer Nelson helped get the Magic rolling with a 12-point showing. He was 6-for-8 and didn’t turn the ball over once. Even more, he got everyone involved with a season-high 12 assists. He also reminded everyone that he is a scorer. “Shoot, I’m a scorer,” he said. Meanwhile, Quentin Richardson stood out from the start of the game. He bullied the lane and snagged 3 rebounds to go along with three assists and two steals. Oh, he also dropped 15.
No Nash, no dice
The Suns were clearly limping without Nash in the game. Sure they were overmatched. However, the absence of Nash’s play-making and scoring simply rubbed salt in the wound.  When they were forced to double-team Howard, Orlando’s sharp-shooters had their way. The Magic dropped four 3-pointers – Vince Carter was good for two, and Mickael Pietrus and Richardson both had one apiece. Pietrus finished with 10. Orlando jumped to a 31-12 lead in the aftermath of the shoot-out. Oh, did I mention that Vince showed flashes of his early NBA days with some nice dunks? His double-pump dunk in the lane on everybody in the paint was sick, not to mention a buzzer beating lay-up to end the first half. Carter finished with 13 points and some SportsCenter highlights. I see you Vince.
Fans knew it was over before and most left after the half. Meanwhile, the Magic emptied the bench and continued to coast. Everyone in uniform scored. J.J. Redick missed his second straight game with back spasms. His return date is unknown.
The lone bright light for the Suns (if any), was Grant Hill’s 21 points on 5-6 shooting. Goran Dragic and Channing Frye each scored a very quiet 10 while former Magic Hedo Turkoglu couldn’t even get started. He had two free throws, was 0-for-8 shooting with six rebounds and five personal fouls.
On a lighter note, the blowout win by the Magic was fitting birthday gift for Dwight Howard’s son Braylon, who turned three today. Luckily, he doesn’t have to blowout 105 candles.
