After last night’s Super Bowl game, I sit juiced from gorging too many snacks and feeling the consequence of a 24-hour sugar rush… you know what I’m talking about. With a few minutes before tip, I’m settled in and wondering why so many empty seats, perhaps more than one reveled on the late side.
Tonight promised to be a classic West Coast versus East Coat battle. Truth be known, I’m anxious. After a loud crunch squeaked through a thin crowd, introductions were replaced with fervent anticipation as center court circled two extremely tall warriors (then again, compared to me even Jon Stewart would appear to be a monster).
Tip was controlled by the Clippers, a long miss from the wing by LA and within seconds Dwight stuffed a two-pointer just below his goal. Chris Paul responded with a three. Twenty seconds later, Richardson called for a slap as LA’s Jordan imitated Dwight’s style. From the looks of it, this was not a night for defense as open shots were raining like frogs stuck on mud.
For those interested, Nelson started the game, looking lost though he was able to pick up a quick layup coupled by three assists. Clippers called time out after 5-1/2 minutes of play, down 18 to 13. The final minutes of the first flew which was not surprising considering the lack of intense defense (from both teams).
Twelve minute stand found the Magic leading 30 to 21:
- Clippers missed too many uncontested shots, hitting only 8 out of 20 attempts (1 of 6 three-pointers).
- Howard and Richardson led all scorers, 13 and 12 respectively.
- Clippers’ Griffin was not a factor, some could say he was a distraction.
- ZERO blocks, ZERO fast break points for both teams… ever seen this before?
Wondering if the Magic were feeling overly comfortable with the lead, the first five minutes of the second quarter replicated the previous quarter. With most of Orlando’s bench on the floor, the defensive dance picked up to a snail’s pace. Sensing the Clippers were waking up from their funk, Van Gundy called a time out at the 5:44 mark, still leading 39 to 35.
With a rested Dwight back on the court, a crowd sensed this was turning into a promised battle. Anderson missed quickly, Evans hit, lead cut to two. Having enough of the nonsense, Howard slammed it home, stole the inbounds pass, and attacked the basket once again. Standing tall at the foul line, Dwight pushed the lead back to four. Evans returned the favor, Orlando up by two.
After several turnovers, Orlando closed out the first leading by 5, 47 to 42.
First Twenty-four:
- Howard controlled everything, as long as the action was under the basket (closing out the half hitting (not really shooting, just dunking) 9 out of 11.
- Richardson was nowhere to be found in the second, still sat at 12 points.
- Ryan Anderson played 9 minutes total, swishing one three-pointer, not impressive at all.
Third quarter had the potential to be a true test of character. After all, the first half Clippers played out of sync and, with a little halftime realignment, this could be a long second half for Orlando.
Orlando missed their first four shots. Billups pulled up a three; Jordan sliced one off the glass, lead back to two. Clippers accepted control, 50 to 49, at the 8:05 mark. Van Gundy called for a town hall meeting.
Back from time out, the Magic gained their own rebound but bricked their second attempt. Butler, refusing to play fair, hit a three for LA. After another basket by the Clippers, the Magic went to Dwight and his two-foot kiss. After several more back and forth, the quarter concluded with a downpour of energy, setting up for a dramatic finish.
Thirty-six in the mix:
- Clippers take the lead, 65 to 62.
- Howard carried the load with 31 points and 12 rebounds.
- Second chance points, Clippers 7, Magic ZERO.
Final twelve minutes was greeted by standing room only. Clippers hit a quick jumper; Magic was snagged by a trap, jump ball. LA found possession, fought for the rebound, and located Billups for a three.
After two minutes of play, Orlando found themselves down by seven.
After three minutes of play, Orlando found themselves talking about being down by nine.
Howard and Nelson re-entered the game after Van Gundy’s sideline discussion.
After five minutes of play, the Magic came back to life, trailed by four.
After six minutes of play, LA’s Billups was escorted off the floor due to an injury.
After eight minutes of play, Chris Paul showed the world why, Clippers up 89 to 82.
After nine minutes of play, Nelson awoke, Magic down 89 to 86.
After ten minutes of play, LA called timeout, tied at 89.
After eleven minutes of play, Richardson bought a layup + bonus, Magic up by one.
Twenty seconds before twelve minutes of play, Nelson fouled Blake, hit one free throw, score even.
One second before twelve minutes, Nelson launched a miss.
After twelve minutes of play, the rain refused to call it a night… can you say OT?
Overtime was intense, physical, and defensively owned by Glen Davis (two hearty steals within a one-minute span), but offensively owned by the Clippers. Tonight offense beat out defense as LA’s firepower proved to be too much.
Final score: LA 107, Orlando 102.
Not knowing what tomorrow will bring, I will be seeing you at this weekend’s Orlando Ballet’s “Battle of the Sexes III.”
Danny Huffman
Education Career Services
Shadow me on Twitter: @dannyatecs
