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Don't look now but the Magic are a half game out of first, they have a couple of days off and Miami plays on Xmas. This is going to be a measuring stick game for our guys and I am looking forward to seeing how they handle it

Aint it the truth. It would be the biggest win for us all year to beat this team. Im remaining optimistic and hope we get the W but part of me is expecting a loss. Our luck with this team has been pretty bad. As long as refs dont be 110% biased, I think we have a chance. Im expecting the usual "100% cant touch dwade or bosh flopping" and theres nothing we can do to stop that. Lets just lock up everybody else and please dont let any bums go off on us.

We have an advantage with Miami on the back-to-back, but our shaky defense lately means anything could happen. At the moment Miami is roughly top 10 in offensive efficiency and top 5 in defensive efficiency.

Honestly I'd rather see the guys flying around on defense more than anything else.

I'm worried about this one as well because we're starting to regress on defense again. Hopefully Skiles and the rest of the coaching staff can work something out.

Idk but statement games in December?

hopefully Miami goes into 4 OTs on Friday, then Wade has to sit for rest.

Nyce_1 wrote:hopefully Miami goes into 4 OTs on Friday, then Wade has to sit for rest.

Hah, then we'd get destroyed by Tyler Johnson or something. The 4 OTs would be just peachy though. Strive for greatness, Anthony Davis!

Optimus_Steel wrote:Idk but statement games in December?

depends on your definition of a statement game but with how close the east is.. this is a big game for sure

We all need to get behind this team, this is one of my fav. magic teams ever, these young guys deserve our support, they bust their asses every single night. hope they realize how much we appreciate them

We beat Houston and they are better offensively than the Heat. I am confident that we are a deeper team than the Heat (yeah I said it). Dipo will be huge on Wade. Can't wait to watch this game.

Zmill wrote:

Optimus_Steel wrote:Idk but statement games in December?

depends on your definition of a statement game but with how close the east is.. this is a big game for sure

Its a big game no doubt, being state and division rival, and now playoffs positioning rival. There is always a extra special feeling when we beat that team.

We're going to have to hear those loser Miami fans that live here in Orlando as well. Can't stand having to deal with other fans in our city. I want a crushing blowout to let them know we run this state now.

MagicFan32 wrote:We all need to get behind this team, this is one of my fav. magic teams ever, these young guys deserve our support, they bust their asses every single night. hope they realize how much we appreciate them

MAAAAAAAAAGIC BAAAAAAASKETBALL

Can't wait, definitely a statement game in terms of whose the better Floridian team.


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I think this is a statement game in the sense it would serve notice to the NBA world that the Magic are relevant again. You can't overlook this team anymore.


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Max Power wrote:I think this is a statement game in the sense it would serve notice to the NBA world that the Magic are relevant again. You can't overlook this team anymore.

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Yeah. Reminds me of Lillard talking about wanting to make Portland the team that won't win a championship this year but at least be the team that "no one wants to play against" - I think that description is far more apt for the Orlando Magic this year and I LOVE it. Under the radar in the media but the players/staff on other teams know that the Magic are close to becoming legit once again.

paperboymafia wrote:

Max Power wrote:I think this is a statement game in the sense it would serve notice to the NBA world that the Magic are relevant again. You can't overlook this team anymore.

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Yeah. Reminds me of Lillard talking about wanting to make Portland the team that won't win a championship this year but at least be the team that "no one wants to play against" - I think that description is far more apt for the Orlando Magic this year and I LOVE it. Under the radar in the media but the players/staff on other teams know that the Magic are close to becoming legit once again.

I think that is already developing for this team, during every game I go to the opposing teams board and check out their gamethreads and they often begin with a usual "Beat that scrub team" or "they are on the rise but still not there yet".. then during the game, it seems to creep into their minds that this is a feisty team, usually don't back down and quite annoying to play against because of defense and multiple guys that can go off and beat you. Hard to plan against and hard to map. The gamethreads often end with a respectful talk about the Magic as they are much better than they thought they'd be, so as far as fans reaction and respect for the Magic, it's on the rise.

I also believe the league has already noticed they are much improved and PITA to play against. They won't lay on their backs and just roll away.

I think we are this years PITA team.

I've heard opposing players say the Magic play physical too. So that's a good sign.

Whiteside absolutely abused us last year. Hopefully Skiles helps with that a little bit.

j-ragg wrote:Whiteside absolutely abused us last year. Hopefully Skiles helps with that a little bit.

To be fair, he absolutely abused most teams... He finished the year with a PER of 26.2, which put him at 6th best in the ENTIRE NBA (after you subtract players that played less than 7 games). To put that in perspective, he finished ahead of LeBron, and the only players ahead of him were AD, Westbrook, Steph, KD and Harden.

But yeah, I hope our game plan is MUCH better.