The Orlando Magic recovered from a tough loss against perennial problem Detroit with a 122-100 defeat of the Phoenix Suns at home on Wednesday night. The Magic stars, minus Vince Carter (Ankle), Mickael Pietrus (Flu), and Rashard Lewis (Suspension), had a tough game against the Pistons and made a full recovery against the Suns. Pietrus came back from the flu to add 15 points including three threes in 27 points off the bench to help the Magic get the win. Dwight Howard bounced back, and although he only played 23 foul-plagued minutes, he added 25 points. Filling in for Lewis, Ryan Anderson looked electric adding a 20 point ten rebound effort to the mix.
Former Cypress Creek High School star, Amare Stoudemire, led Phoenix with 25 points and 14 rebounds while most of the team struggled from the field, with Grant Hill going 0 for 5 and Jason Richardson going 0 for 4. It’s tough to win games when two starters combine for 0 for 9 field goals. Former MVP Steve Nash only contributed 12 points and four assists in the loss.
Although Nash is past his prime, and Jameer Nelson is just entering his, Nelson looked great against one of the dominant point guards in the league. In a season like this, when the Magic should have a schedule filled with ten and 20 point victories leaving fans to watch the bench players late in the game, it is important to glean as much as possible from match-ups. Nash won MVPs not just for his passing, but for his defense. Nash looked average against Nelson allowing him to shoot 54% from the field while racking up ten assists.
Nash is different from the scoring point guards that may be waiting in the playoffs like Tony Parker, Derrick Rose, and Rajon Rondo, but it is still a great sign for Magic fans that Nelson looked so good against a quality player.
The Suns are a good team, probably not a title contender, but still a formidable opponent. They are probably victims of the dreaded back-to-back, having played the previous night in Miami, but credit must also be given to the fantastic play of Anderson, JJ Redick, and Matt Barnes filling in for missing starters.
Orlando found a lead midway through the first quarter through tough defense creating both traveling and charging penalties against Stoudemire both leading to Magic field goals. During the first, the Magic were able to extend their lead to as much as 14. The end of the first and the beginning of the second brought a Suns surge that reduced the lead to three, but that was as close as Phoenix would ever get.
The second half brought out a determined Magic squad that built their lead even as bench players relieved the starters. For all intents and purposes, the Suns weren’t even in contention in the second half.
One of the most important signs of a Championship contending team is the attitude of a closer. One of the dreads many Magic fans have experienced over the years is a team that gets lazy with a lead. This Magic team remains fierce with a lead. That fierceness may be the difference between a good team and a great team.
Magic Bounce Back With Big Win Over Suns
