Despite a rocky start, the Orlando Magic surged in the second half to keep the New Jersey Nets winless by beating them 88-72. The matchup with New Jersey was a homecoming of sorts for former Magic players Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee (Lee did not play do to injury) who were traded in the offseason for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson (who also did not play do to injury).
Many Magic fans have fond memories of Alston’s pivotal role in last year’s playoff run after Jameer Nelson went down with an injury that sidelined him until the Finals. Alston was just as impressive Friday night putting up ten rebounds, ten assists, and 17 points for the triple-double. Reminiscent of his time with the Magic, Alston controlled the Nets offense and his hand in shooting and passing is what allowed New Jersey to control the game in the first and second quarters.
The Magic were outscored in the first quarter 27-23 because they were not working hard on defense. Defense was the missing ingredient against Cleveland, and it looked early on as though the Magic were uninterested in playing defense again. For Championship contending teams, one of the dangers is complacency. One of the characteristics of last year’s team was the work ethic. Every night the team came out with something to prove. Every night they worked hard on both ends of the floor, whether it was against the Nets or not.
For the Magic to play great defense in the playoffs, they have to learn to play defense in the regular season. Working hard on defense effects the performance offensively. It’s much easier to get lift on a fourth quarter three if you haven’t been working hard on defense. Orlando needs to condition themselves to be able to work hard on defense and maintain stamina to play well on offense. Taking games and quarters off is not the route to the championship; it’s the route to an early playoff exit.
The Magic started to pick it up with about four minutes to go in the first half forcing turnovers and missed jump shots while Dwight Howard took over inside the paint. Despite a cold shooting streak to end the half, Orlando entered the intermission tied 42-42.
The Nets came out in the second half ready to play, ready for their first win this season. The Magic had other plans and by the end of the third quarter they had created a six point lead. The Nets never came closer than six for the remainder of the game.
Howard supermanned his way to 26 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks. It was good to see Howard dominant offensively because he is averaging less than 20 points and barely more than ten rebounds per game on the season – a far cry from the experts who thought this could be his 25-15 season. Maybe the summer off wasn’t good for Howard? Matt Barnes turned in another good game for the Magic as a temporary starter with 13 points and 13 boards. JJ Redick, who has averaged 12 points in 30 minutes per game this season looked like the JJ Magic fans have known since he came to town going scoreless. Redick was awful during his 33 minutes on the floor going 0 for 6 from the field and 0 for 4 from behind the arc.
Aside form Rafer, no one on the Nets had a game worthy of mentioning. As a team New Jersey only shot 32% from the field without a player scoring more than 17 points.
The Magic won by 16, but that is exactly the way they should beat teams like the Nets, but with the Celtics coming to town next week, Orlando has another true test in it’s very near future. Let’s hope they come out ready to play defense.
By: Jon Foley- Reporting for West Orlando News
