Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Orlando Symphony perform Classical Masterpieces. This evening I will be enjoying a Harry Connick Jr concert. Feeling like a potential Oreo cookie, I am psychologically prepared for the Dwight-lite Orlando Magic practice game against the Chicago Bulls.
Ten minutes prior to tip, a vast sea of empty blue seats cheered pregame warm ups. Sixty seconds before tip, during roster announcements, a respectable crowd cheered a wounded team.
Tip was controlled by Chicago (surprised?). Within 15 seconds, Anderson was called for his first foul. Boozer to the line and, after two attempts, the Magic found themselves looking to get even. Richardson hit a sweet 15 footer, game tied. Rose snapped the tie with a smooth bulls-eye, came back to hit a three, and then capped the trio with a layup fed by a steal. By the time Ryan Anderson smashed a three, the Magic found themselves down 9 to 5.
Several minutes of back and forth found Orlando playing like a team. Seems like it took all season to get to this point. Down by 3 (24 to 21) with 4 minutes remaining in the quarter, Orlando called time out, no doubt to devise a plan to slow Rose though I don’t believe Rose can be decelerated.
First quarter concluded 32 to 24 (Magic yet to hold the lead):
* Chicago spanked all who dared to enter the paint
* Magic found their shot from beyond the arc, hitting 67% (4 or 6)
* Rose, playing like an MVP, efficiently led all scorers at 15
With Howard kicked back and watching the game in the leisure of his zone, Orlando’s five on the court were out-matched, out-muscled, out-played, and out-coached.
Down by 8, a now quiet crowd witnessed Arenas shoulder the burden to rock a quick two within seconds. After solid defense by Orlando (really, solid defense), Chicago saw their lead dwindle to 4 (32 to 28). With Orlando able to take advantage of no Bull starters on the court and multiple miscues, Chicago called time out one minute later and only two points ahead.
Quick stat: Bulls pointless during the first 3 minutes of the second quarter, allowing the Magic an opportunity to make it a game.
Chicago’s timeout proved beneficial as the next 3 baskets were Bull bound, lead back to 8.
Looking for same, Van Gundy called timeout at 7:32.
Hedo found quick remedy at the line, hit two and dropped the trail to 6. After a couple blinks, The Magic tied the game with 91 seconds remaining due to an intense defense, offense, and hustle. Kind of makes me wonder why the team is not able to play with this degree of heart with Howard on the court…
After 24 minutes, the Magic gained much needed respect though trailed 50 to 49:
* Raging against tradition, the Magic shared the wealth: Turkoglu with 9, Anderson with 10, Nelson (netting a half-courter as time expired) with 8, and Richardson with 11
* Magic banged 55% beyond the arc, 6 of 11
* Bulls controlled the paint with 26 points (Magic with 16)
* Halftimes dedication to Michael Jackson was well played, well-choreographed, and well performed
Second half found an attitude lacking in most Magic games. Thus far, the players played with a belief, a commitment to win, if you will.
Magic’s first lead of the game came after 24 seconds into the third (thanks to Anderson’s offensive tip) only to personally extend the lead to 3 after a steal and assist from Hedo (back to Ryan).
After a 20-second timeout the Bulls smacked a 17 footer, Magic lead down to 1. Bulls regained the lead as Noah slammed an uncontested down. With neither team landing a knockout punch, the third was entertaining.
After 36 minutes of play, the Magic held their own, down by 3 (80 to 77):
* Impressed with Ryan Anderson, 24 points and give him a ten for hustle (perhaps a new MVP candidate on the horizon?)
* Rose led all with 28
* Second chance points helping Orlando, holding a 11 to 2 point lead
Final 12 minutes began with both teams committed to prove a point. Though this game held no impact on the playoffs, this was a matter of pride.
With increased aggression and a playoff tone paving the way, play turned into a physical match. With 8 minutes remaining and both teams owning 84 points, down the stretch promised to be more exciting than last night’s symphonic conclusion (not an easy task).
Magic called timeout with 330 ticks remaining and trailing by 2 (89 to 87).
Guess it is only fair to tell you that the Bulls have been playing most of their bench during the second half – doubt that will happen if these two meet in the playoffs. Then again, as long as Rose is on the court, points are going to keep tallying.
195 seconds: Tied at 91 with Bass on the line, hit the first, missed the second.
170 Seconds: Richardson steal, going coast, hit line drive off the glass
166 seconds: Bulls call timeout, down 94 to 91
161 seconds: Magic fans screaming, on their feet, having a blast
160 seconds: Anderson called for a foul, Rose to the line, swishing both, quieting waves of boo’s
144 seconds: Magic turnover
143 seconds: Nelson fouls Rose, preventing an easy fast break basket (ball on the side)
133 seconds: Bulls turnover
124 seconds: Magic turnover, Bulls easy basket
102 seconds: Boozer called for a foul, Anderson shoots two, making both (Magic up by 1)
86 seconds: Bass fouled Boozer in the lane, Boozer regains lead by one
72 seconds: Nelson missed a three, Bulls rebound
49 seconds: Rose drives, loses control of the ball, Magic ball (under review)
49 seconds: Review confirmed, Magic retain possession, ball out of bounds to Nelson
32 seconds: Ball slapped out of bounds, Bull gifted possession (call under review)
32 seconds: Ruling stands, Rose dribbles slowly across court
14 seconds: Foul on Richardson, Gibson on the line shooting two, lead pushed to 2, 98 to 96
14 seconds: Missed second free-throw, Bulls muscle rebound
9 seconds: Rose fouled, shoots two, Bulls up 100 to 96
9 seconds: Feeling game over, fans exit the arena like stink on poop
8 seconds: Turk gives to Nelson, missed a three
6 seconds: Magic steal rebound, Richardson hits a three (one point deficit—is it too late for the Magic?)
2.7 seconds: Leading by 1, Bulls call timeout
2.0 seconds: Anderson fouls Boozer, hits first, hits second, Magic down by 3
2.0 seconds: Orlando called timeout
0 seconds: Nelson hits three pointer, sending crowd into frenzy, court ruling =no basket (under review)
0 seconds: Review confirmed
0 seconds: Magic lose 102 to 99
I’m out of here, gotta get ready for a swinging concert,
dhuffman
