Magic Prove to be too Much

Too hot to handle
Howard, Carter, and Magic
Encore in the make

Possessed by a mission accomplished attitude, the Orlando Magic laid to rest doubt from the few in denial.   By pure talent, skill, and athletic prowess, this should be a four-game series, but rarely does reality follow script.  As a result, I predict game five at home will find the Magic preparing for the second round.

Loose and loud, pre-game dunks rebounded synchronized ooh’s and awe’s from a sold-out crowd livelier than legs looking for a bake. Howard playfully teased team and fans by swooshing two free-throw practice shots (so, what’s up during the game?).

One pre-tip low-light, quick trip to emergency (guess you had to be here).

First quarter pace intensified seconds after a tip was controlled by Charlotte, a quick 3-point miss, offensive rebound, fancy in-and-out passing, Magic down by two.  Did someone forget to inform Charlotte they are the #7 seed?

Carter tied the game with a purpose. Howard volleyed back with a monster block while Nelson brought the house on its feet with a three-pointer of his own. Back and forth, two teams came to battle… still think basketball is just a game?

Solid shooting, aggressive defense, and a support staff talented enough to be starters on most teams, the Magic found themselves up 24-12 after nine minutes of intensity.

Time out Bobcats (don’t act surprised). After 12 minutes, Magic up 31-20. Wrap up goes something like this:
* Magic shot 57% from the field and charity line
* Magic played like a stingy politician in November, giving NOTHING away (ZERO turnovers)
* High scorer Nelson with 14 (hitting 6 of 8)
* Howard grabbed an impressive five rebounds

Second quarter fielded Carter, Howard, and bench.  Several rapid fires from Charlotte, more shifts, more shakes, and more Howard left no doubt as to what the outcome will be yet the Bobcats kept it close for a while.  Magic called time out once comfortableness found unrest after three minutes of play and a lead of nine.

Not returning from time out, Howard watched Lewis pick up the pace. With Lewis the only starter on wood, Charlotte brought their own brand of playoff ball and closed the game to four. In moments like this, a time out was in order… order up.

Back holding court, a brawl continued… this time the Magic’s outside shooting range excelled with Pietrus leading the charge. Two minutes later and a score of 50 to 36, point of no return stubbed his big toe.  By the end of the first half, Magic’s outside shooting range proved to be too much and, with a last second three-pointer from Nelson, end of first half score settled at 59-43.

First half points of interest:
* Orlando hit 22 out of 37 (9 of 18 three pointers)
* Bobcats earned 20 points in the paint, Magic 16 (go figure)
* Pietrus led all scorers in the second with 11
* Howard gained a playoff team record for blocked shots in a quarter (6 in first—8 for the half)

The third witnessed Howard scoring first after two minutes of play (hitting one of two free throws). After five more Magic points, Bobcats held a meeting to strategize their 65 to 43 deficit.  Good news for one of the teams, Howard was slapped with his fourth at the 7:50 mark.

Given the depth of noise going on, just one question: are there any aspirins in the house?

While not on the subject of the game, Renee Thomas asked if I could pass her quote (and question) to one fella in particular: “I would love to have Rashard Lewis’ baby, if not, I have banana pudding anytime he wants some.”

End of 36 minutes found the gap of ten points too sizable for the Bobcats (perhaps I could be wrong; after all, there remains 12 minutes).

Third quarter specific:
* Magic hit 5 of 21 shots for a depressing 23%; Bobcats hit 60% of their ten total shots

Howard received his fifth at the 10:48 point and the Magic up by 9.  After a wrestling match called jump by refs visiting a different game, Gerald Wallace outreached Ryan Anderson for a slant; still down by 9.

If any hustle was lacking in the third, the fourth more than filled the cup… and the crowd drank it up like hurt from a boo-boo… there is an OUCH in the house! If I remember, I’ll bring extra band-aids Wednesday.

Carter fouled out with 3:10 to go. Result: Magic lead dwindled to five after free-throws. Feeling the groove, Nelson shot with confidence, unfortunately missed, and Charlotte rebounded in a hurry. An even quicker time-out by Charlotte pursued.  NO ONE was marching out at the 2:43 mark.

Superman, where are you? After ten returned to the court, Magic’s caped crusader grabbed an elusive rebound, flied back to capture JJ Redick’s miss, and slammed it down with a single leap… Magic up by seven.

Sixty-four seconds and up by six, maybe my prediction going five games was a tad generous.  Can you say sweep?

By the conclusion of the game, the sounds of UFO bounced exit doors and a rowdy group anticipating round two. For those not old enough to recall the 70’s and what it’s like to listen to eight-tracks, the lyrics go something like this:

Too hot to handle

I’m in your town, won’t fool around
I’ll take some action stand
Just like the story says, these boys are bad
So keep out of shootin’ range

When it comes to shooting range, the Magic are BAD and they are taking a stand! In regard to my haiku attempt, think I’ll stick to sports and the Huffman Report.

Bruised, the Bobcats lose 98 to 89. On this note, see you in 72 hours.

Sitting with pen in hand and paper longing for a story, I am…

dhuffman