R1G2 - Orlando @ Indy - Mon 7:30

[damo[23]]

Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
When: Monday Night 7:30PM EST
TV: NBA TV
Online: NBA League Pass Online.





F: Danny Granger
F: David West
C: Roy Hibbert
G: Paul George
G: George Hill




YOUR ORLANDO MAGIC


G: Jameer Nelson
G: Jason Richardson
C: Glen Davis
F: Hedo Turkoglu
F: Ryan Anderson





Orlando are coming off what was pretty much thought the unthinkable, a game one win at the field house.

This in many ways takes a lot of the pressure off Orlando, in a series touted as unwinable, being able to go in game one and establish that the Magic are a team still here, that they are not all about Dwight Howard, its a statement.

Hard work, hustle and team work won game one. Jason Richardson once again had one of his sporadically solid games in a Magic uniform, scoring 6 of his 17 in the final quarter off two key three pointers. Jameer Nelson looked to be a more more bright, chipping in 17 of his own.

However, it wasn't all smooth running. Indiana attacked the basket, a lot. Without the leagues best defender to hold the ground in the middle, Orlando continue to look weak at the ring, lacking size and strength. Orlando was out rebounded by 5, 50 to 45, and even on the offensive end, Hibbert had a field day, swatting 9 shots. It just goes to show, Orlando made as many 3 pointers in the game as they did free throws. The lack of presence in the middle is a concern, and why many have written the Magic off.

Looking to game two, Orlando will look for momentum. A win is not essential, stealing one away from home is just huge, but going back home at 1-1 or 2-0 is big game. However, the biggest thing is not to deflate.

Anderson and Redick, both pillars since Dwight went down, had smaller-than-usual contributions. With the 3 pointer looking so very important in this series, expect some focus to come back on these sharpshooters. J-Rich and Jameer might take some heat in G2, potentially opening up the court more.

However, I have to say the key is going to come down to the middle. The catalysts are going to be Granger and Hibbert. Ryan and Glen D just need to keep on working hard, making shots around the basket as hard as possible, and the likes of Clark and, if he see's time, Orton coming in, must continue to do the same. Playoff's are about answering big questions, and there are none bigger than can Orlando survive an onslaught without Dwight.

We've put the onus on Indiana to answer some questions. The Magic need to keep pushing. One thing is for sure, this series will come down to hard work and hustle, and that might just suit Orlando at this stage.

#LetsGoMagic

[damo[23]]

I put this up early since I might not be around later today to post it.

After mucho digging on my old posts I managed to find some of my old images, though not all of them, but they served me well a few seasons ago, so back they come.

Lets do this. G2 baby.

[AdamTheGreek]

This is going to be either an Indy blowout win or another battle to the end.

Just got done celebrating Game 1, proud of these guys.

Still taking Magic in 6.

[drsd]

This is going to be either an Indy blowout win or another battle to the end.

If Orlando grinds out a second road win, the media will take notice!

Just got done celebrating Game 1, proud of these guys.

I have note. Go Magic!

Still taking Magic in 6.

Orlando wins a second game, and you will need to rethink these numbers. To early to use "the word" but if Orlando wins game two, I can see a broom!


..

[drsd]

Key stat:
The game 1 winner in a best of 7 wins the series 80% of the time.

GO MAGIC!!!!


..

[ChosenSavior]

This is a well done thread and I agree with everyone's analysis for this upcoming game. The Pacers took us for granted and it bit them. I still feel they are in denial just from hearing Frank Vogel speak that "they just missed shots." While he is correct in a sense, the Magic had a lot to do with them missing in the paint and rushing their attempts.

I expect the Pacers to be more aggressive because the pressure on them just multiplied, but I also expect the same from the Magic. We are going to have to guard D. West a bit better. I'm not worried about Hibbert at all honestly because Baby does a great job in lowering his center of gravity so Hibbert cannot even move him to where he wants. I want Baby to adjust on offense and use more upfakes to get Hibbert in the air and draw some fouls.

We will have to do a better job rebounding and continue to keep Paul George in check. He is their catalyst on that team IMO. We do those things, we will give ourselves a chance to take a stranglehold on this series.

LET'S GET IT!!! WE ALL WE GOT!!!

Goodluck pic...

[rcklsscognition]

All we can do is hope this series rests in the hands of one Danny Granger.

[BelgianMagic]

Josh Robbins ‏ @JoshuaBRobbins
#NBA Commissioner David Stern will attend Game 2 of the #Magic vs. #Pacers series on Monday.

To make sure his officials do their job and make sure the series is tied

[BadMofoPimp]

Magic gonna prove ya'll wrong!!!

[drsd]

..

[JNelson43]

I think this will be another battle. I'd think that even the optimistic Magic fans would have expected a split at best, but how cool would it be to take both the games at Indy?

[arkknight1988]

if we get that kind of defense out of this guy we have a good shot!

[Def Swami]

Go Magic!! 15 to go!!

[ChildishGambino]

Man...i'll tell you....some of this crow i'm having is not that bad.....Baby is proving that the big stage is his home...at least game 1....Stan did a great job coaching this team game 1....not out of the woods by any stretch...it's literally just beginning but it's a great start....hopefully no letdown next game.....got to have short-term memory...get that win out of our heads and take these games in just a 1 game vacuum....

[Reggie Theus]

Her's the crazy thing about last night's game. I don't think we played well at all and we still beat a team that did not play well at all either. If we can execute a great game, ewe can blow this team out even without Dwight.

I find it kind of weird that almost all of my Miami Heat friends are pulling for Indiana because they know they know Orlando is playing with a chip on their shoulders.

[Def Swami]

Her's the crazy thing about last night's game. I don't think we played well at all and we still beat a team that did not play well at all either. If we can execute a great game, ewe can blow this team out even without Dwight.

I find it kind of weird that almost all of my Miami Heat friends are pulling for Indiana because they know they know Orlando is playing with a chip on their shoulders.

We were held to 81 points on 39% shooting. If we have a night where we hit 11 or more 3's, we'd smoke em. The key to everything has to be our defense. We held them to 77 points. We have to continue to challenge Granger and West. I'm convinced Hibbert is a scrub offensively. There's no reason for him to not score more than 15 against us. I actually liked when Ryan defended Hibbert. If Ryan can challenge Hibbert, it allows Big Baby to defend West, who imo is their best scoring option against us.

I got a lot of hope for our team. I think Stan is going to school Vogel and straight out-coach him this series. Best believe one of these coaches in his cave diagramming adjustments for Game 2. Based on Vogel's comments, I'm not sure he's one to do so.

[J-Ville Smoke]

SVG is honestly our secret weapon.

If we come out and finish the half ahead by 6-7, I think we've successfully set up shop in their collective heads.

First half has to be a shut down half. In baseball, when a team scores 4-5 runs in a half inning, it is imperative that they come out and shut down the offense to cement the momentum, if you come out and give up a few runs, then momentum and effort swings back.

We need to come out and send a message first half, just get real bloody and mean with it.

[Mad Guru]

Indiana is going to come out hungry in game 2, they are going to know that they NEED to win, and it's going to be tough to stop them. If we can somehow hold off the early onslaught, like we did in game 1, and keep it close going into the half, we will have a great chance.

We are bad at executing offense down the stretch, I think the key will be winning the 3rd quarter of game 2.

That said, I expect game 2 to be much tougher than game 1, those first day jitters will be gone, and you know they are going to hit some of those wide open shots that they missed in the first game. We know we have the talent to win... it's just tough when they are bigger at every position.

[OrlandO]

Hedo and Ryno's turn to prove they can be useful in the playoffs.

[AdamTheGreek]

^^^Hedo actually did a hell of a job defending Granger often and late.