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This is the Magic fans version of the NBA Finals. We beat them by 40 last time. We bring in our 16 game winning streak.

This is an early 1pm tip on ABC (free to watch with a digital antenna).

It is wild how different these two teams season's have went. They were deadlocked in a 4/5 matchup last season. Now the Cavs are the best team in the NBA and the Magic are going to have to fight through the play-in to secure a playoff spot.

Mitchell still carrying the questionable tag because of the groin.

Mobley also questionable with a bruised foot, i assume it is actually for rest, if he sits but since it is nationally televised, gotta put an injury designation.

On the other side they are obviously without Suggs or Mo for the rest of the season.

Cole Anthony is questionable for them, missed the last 2 games.

If Mobley sits, I wonder if we'll call up Nae'qwan for this one or just use Wade and Hunter at PF more. We could use TT at C or play with some small ball lineups.

JonFromVA wrote:If Mobley sits, I wonder if we'll call up Nae'qwan for this one or just use Wade and Hunter at PF more. We could use TT at C or play with some small ball lineups.

No Mobley but Mitchell will play. I assume Wade plays 4 and 5. Hunter probably exclusively 4. Green can play some 4 too, despite his lack of height.

Starters

Garland
Mitchell
Strus
Hunter
Allen

Looks like Allen has his hand wrapped again.

TJ with the deep 3 off the TT OReb.

Good 1st quarter, not much I would change. Magic can't shoot at all.

These early games always sneak past me

ijspeelman wrote:These early games always sneak past me

Hahaha i got your back for the matinee tipoffs

JujitsuFlip wrote:Looks like Allen has his hand wrapped again.

He took the wrap off now.

Awesome halftime buzzer beater by Hunter.

Refs need to call a more even game and this one will blow wide open for the Cavs.

I wonder if Strus has a broken off hand/finger.

JujitsuFlip wrote:

JujitsuFlip wrote:Looks like Allen has his hand wrapped again.

He took the wrap off now.

Aaaaand it's back on lol

I pray Kenny does not go small in the 4th, we can't afford it.

The refs continue to be terrible in this one.

Idk why Mitchell keeps wanting to defend Banchero, he's too short to guard him. Let Hunter stay with him, he's did well all day.

Terrible loss but Kenny wants to rest guys down the stretch, so it is what it is.

Reffing is the main reason for the loss today, no exaggeration.

Adam Silver got what he wanted.

The 10-38 from 3pt was pretty atrocious. The afternoon game and Don sitting out all those games hurt us.

Not to mention, but Mobley is pretty important.

Probably a dumb theory but i swear it seems like Kenny just wants to get these winning streaks over sometimes.

So now we can continue with our regular scheduled programming.

JujitsuFlip wrote:Terrible loss but Kenny wants to rest guys down the stretch, so it is what it is.

Reffing is the main reason for the loss today, no exaggeration.

Adam Silver got what he wanted.

I didn't get to watch, but the free throws were 24-20 in favor of the Magic which doesn't seem awful. I know that both Banchero and Franz can be the beneficiaries of touch calls sometimes and if you don't let one team play defense, it impacts the gane more than indicated by the box score.

You're not going to win many games when Mitchell goes 9 for 28. You'll win fewer still if Mobley is out and Hunter goes 2 for 11. Any time Merrill wants to start shooting well again would also be great (2 for 8).

jbk1234 wrote:

JujitsuFlip wrote:Terrible loss but Kenny wants to rest guys down the stretch, so it is what it is.

Reffing is the main reason for the loss today, no exaggeration.

Adam Silver got what he wanted.

I didn't get to watch, but the free throws were 24-20 in favor of the Magic which doesn't seem awful. I know that both Banchero and Franz can be the beneficiaries of touch calls sometimes and if you don't let one team play defense, it impacts the gane more than indicated by the box score.

You're not going to win many games when Mitchell goes 9 for 28. You'll win fewer still if Mobley is out and Hunter goes 2 for 11. Any time Merrill wants to start shooting well again would also be great (2 for 8).

Yeah man, Banchero fouled two 3 point shooters, early, no calls. Wade missed the shot.

Franz did some weird out of bounds dance they didn't call, that led to a 3.

Allen fouled hard on his poster dunk, no call.

Tristan called for 2 touch fouls on Goga going for rebounds while Magic are in the bonus.

Jerome pushed out of bounds, called a turnover. Then Black knocks down back to back triples.

Mitchell's arms chopped, loses the ball, instant layup for the Magic.

Hunter called for his 4th foul once the Cavs held the Magic possession to a bricked shot, gave free throws on a bad call.

These are just off the top of my head. The Magic were allowed to play with a different level of physicality. I'm not one for conspiracy theories but i am positive Silver told Brothers and his crew to keep the game close.

26 points off turnovers is WAY too many but our ball handlers were getting mugged all game.