Magic TEAM their way to victory over Heat

With a kids-night theme, the Orlando Magic guarded their way to a 96 to 80 victory over Florida rival Miami Heat.  Don’t let the score fool you; the game was close until the final quarter in a battle where sloppiness, lack of intensity, early audience exit, and plenty of yawning headlined the evening.

A recent addition to the Heat, Rafer Alston, as many Magic fans may remember from last year’s run, accompanied D. Wade at guard play.  Not too worry, as time would tell, Nelson, Carter, and Lewis would throw in their share of quickness.  Leaving me to watch and wonder if the mighty mouse duo of Wade and Alston had enough “kaboom” to outpace the Magic’s trio.

The Magic controlled the opening tip as Nelson netted a three-pointer in a matter of seconds.  Seeking return favor, the Heat lost itself with a solid miss and a rapid foul.  Hitting both free-throws, the Magic led 5 – 0 before two sips of soda.  For the next few minutes, both teams followed with a flurry of hit and miss… mostly misses.

With an Orlando team typically fueled by Howard, it became apparent the leader of the pack needed time for personal reflection and the Magic needed a new navigator (or perhaps three?).  Both teams struggled to find their way and too often the path chosen was a path not inclusive within the paint.  For the most part, the first quarter was defined by lack of passion which led to a lack of focus, resulting in a handful of muddled plays… both teams guilty as charged.

Demonstrating what could be considered a sign of immaturity, Howard seemed, as Robert Plant coined, “dazed and confused.” On both sides of the court, he appeared lost, frustrated, and too often drowned by a sea of black jerseys.  For the record, he may be Superman but let’s not forget the final syllable of his title… for the syllable challenged, that would be “man.”

End of quarter one, Magic 26, Heat 24.

Yawn per quarter: 2 by my count.

No starters for a Magic riddled by misfires began the second quarter.  My take on such a bold move: Van Gundy was getting a case of frustration and too many yawns brewing and so felt a change of pace was required.  The quarter began much like the first, few shots in the paint and way too many beyond the arc.  The bench held ground and played more street ball than a well-oiled contender.  Lewis re-entered the court at the 7:18 mark and added a jolt on both ends.  Howard’s return stretched 5:57 point though his presence was not noticeable.

Halftime score, Magic 52, Heat 48.

Don’t let the score give you an impression of an exciting game… it was not; unless you like casual play with a high yawn factor. Through the first half, Magic shot 47% (blame that on lack of defense—not superior play) while the Heat shot 40% (again, not because of great defense, this was simply due to poor shooting).

And so the third began as I reached for buttered popcorn; it was fresh, hot, and exciting (the popcorn, not the game).  With the second half, and with no reason to think otherwise, I hoped the “Talking Heads” same as it ever was would not turn into a reality.  Within minutes the song bounced until my bag of popcorn rested empty.

Reality and songs often do come true.

There was little audience attention throughout the game until the 10:45 point in the third.  In a surprise lullaby wake-me-up, Howard slammed one home with intent to cause damage.  Feeling good, the crowd roared and a new trail was being forged…Okay, maybe not.  Wade slammed his own (at the 9:00 mark) as the Heat now trailed by 7.  The two teams pretended to joust, driving back and forth for a short stint.

Howard gained his fourth foul at the 8:53 point while Wade refused to let the game end with a quarter and a half remaining.  With response at hand, the Magic’s dynamic trio, Carter, Nelson, and Lewis put forth a new plan to save the game from destruction.  Nelson displayed perfect form with a turn-around jumper from 12 feet, sweet spot delivered all net.

By the middle of the third, it was obvious tonight’s game would be a test for the guards, not the heavies in the middle.  To put this plan to test, Van Gundy pulled Howard at the 5:34 point after a goal-tending call… Magic up by one, 59-58.

Same as it ever was, who keeps inserting quarters in the juke-box?

With a sudden excellence in outside shooting, the Magic took a commanding lead to close out the third quarter 76 to 64.

Quick recap of how the teams got to this critical point:

* Lewis and Carter led the charge with 17 points a piece; Nelson carried his weight by tabling a respectful 12.

* Wade held strong and led all scores with 21.  Keeping the game close, the Heat’s led in total rebounds 31 to 24.

* For the Howard followers, he brought 5 points to paper on 1 for 6 shooting, four pouting sessions, three tempter tantrums, two deer in the headlight impressions, and a missed free-throw.

The beginning of the fourth scripted out to be a testament of who could stay awake long enough to close the deal.  With a personal yawn factor reaching six, I steadied for the final quarter.

Side note, at the 11:27 point, members of the audience began dancing to beat traffic.

Howard began the fourth watching on the sideline, only to enter at the 9:09 mark and earn his fifth foul two minutes later… hello bench.

With a three-pointer by JJ Redick, the Magic took a final and determined lead 83-70 with 6 minutes to go.  More seats became void of sitters.

Out in the left field, I had a moment of philosophical insight and wondered: If no one is here to watch the game, would there be a winner? Then I started thinking about a tree falling in the forest with no one around to hear the fall.  Fear not, I am committed to remain and testify (and confirm) the final score so the rhetorical question will not be visited upon today.

The final 5 minutes seemed like a futile attempt to go through the motions.  At the 3:51 mark and the Magic up 88 – 74, more than a few found their way to the parking lot.

Howard came back into the game with 3:27 remaining.  How did he do after such a clumsy three quarters? Glad you asked, he did show off an impressive turnover. With the game simply waiting to find its own tail, I had to wonder why Howard would reenter the game.

With two minutes and a smaller percentage watching, I added the yawn count and decided to unplug the jukebox in my mind, allowing the Talking Heads to ponder where is that beautiful house and beautiful wife all on their own.

The Magic won 96 to 80.

For those not sure about the tree mentioned earlier, it really does make a sound in the forest even if no one is there to hear it.

Sitting with pen in hand and paper longing for a story, I will see you at the Laker’s game.

dhuffman