GDT: Pacers @ Magic 12/14/09

[Reginald Wayne]

The Indiana Pacers are looking to win their third straight as they take on the Orlando Magic, trying to avoid a 3rd consecutive loss.

*queue NBA on NBC theme song*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AQ3IAri ... re=related




Overall Record: 8-13
Road Record: 3-7

vs.



Overall Record: 17-6
Home Record: 7-2

Venue:

Amway Arena in Orlando



Let's take a look at the Starting Line-ups



For Indiana:



Orlando:




and the Bench



Indy:



vs.

Orlando:




Here's a preview from nba.com

Back home following a mediocre road trip, the Orlando Magic look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season.

They'll get that opportunity Monday night against an Indiana Pacers team trying to win three straight for the first time in nearly a month.

After setting a single-season franchise-record with eight straight road wins before Thursday's loss in Utah, the Southeast Division-leading Magic (17-6) settled for a split of their four-game road trip with a 106-103 defeat to Phoenix on Friday. Orlando nearly rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit, but lost consecutive games for the first time.

"Our guys fought back,'' said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, "but the bottom line is if you had laid down and lost by 40 points, it's the same in the standings.''

The Magic, who play seven of their next eight at home, have won three straight and five of six at Amway Arena against Indiana. They routed the Pacers 135-111 in the last game at Orlando behind 27 points and 10 rebounds from Michael Pietrus and 24 points from Rashard Lewis.

Dwight Howard looks to extend his double-double streak to eight versus the Pacers. He had 21 points and 20 rebounds - his second 20-20 game in that current streak - in a 107-102 loss at Indiana on Feb. 6 that snapped the Magic's five-game winning streak in this matchup.

Howard, who matched a career low with one field goal attempt Friday, will look for another big game against Indiana, which has won two of three since learning leading scorer Danny Granger will be out for at least four weeks with a torn right plantar fascia.

The Pacers (8-13) won their second straight and snapped a six-game road losing streak with Saturday's 114-113 victory at Washington.

Pacers forward Mike Dunleavy scored a season-high 24 points, including two free throws with one-tenth of a second remaining, as Indiana won consecutive games for the first time since a five-game run from Nov. 4-17.

Indiana benefited from three replays in the final moments: a basket by Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas was waved off with 50 seconds remaining; five-tenths of a second was put on the clock after T.J. Ford's missed shot was knocked out of bounds; one-tenth of a second was put on the clock for Dunleavy's two free throws after he was fouled by Brendon Haywood.

"To scratch out a back-to-back on the road says a lot about the toughness our guys are starting to develop," said Pacers coach Jim O'Brien, whose team defeated the visiting New Jersey Nets 107-91 on Friday.

Pacers forward Troy Murphy scored a season-high 28 points with 12 rebounds Saturday, while rookie Tyler Hansbrough continued his strong play with 19 points off the bench. He is averaging 17.7 points and 7.0 boards in his last three games.

Magic guard Vince Carter is questionable Monday after leaving in the second half of Friday's loss with a sore right knee. Playing for the Nets last season, Carter averaged 32.3 points in three games versus Indiana.

The Pacers' last victory in Orlando was 115-109 on Dec. 7, 2007.

KEY MATCHUP:

Roy Hibbert vs. Dwight Howard.

Hibbert is facing perhaps his biggest test here. Howard is a double double machine and is looking to dominate Hibbert. Hibbert is looking forward to holding his own against the All-Star Howard. Hopefully he can come through because when Hibbert plays well, the Pacers win. Simple as that. If Hibbert backs down, then the Pacers are done.


Inactive:



Pacers:

Granger
Diener
McRoberts-He sucks, that's why.


Orlando:

Jameer Nelson


Final Thoughts

This could be a huge win if we can somehow pull this off. The Magic are a serious contender in the East and a W would give our guys lots of confidence. That said, I think the Magic are going to come out strong following 2 straight losses. If the Pacers don't handle the first two quarters properly, then this will be a blowout. If they can keep it close and play tough I will be happy.


Tradition:

(credit to M4E) !

[Miller4ever]

Credit for tradition goes to count55, the original and mod before me.

[Reginald Wayne]

I meant credit for the discovery of krystal forscutt...


but the pic didn't show.

[Reginald Wayne]

Back to basketball.


I've got the Magic by 10.

I'm really interested in the Hibbert/Howard match-up. If we lose and Hibbert still plays tough, than I'll be happy.

[Miller4ever]

Ah.

I expect Orlando to try and get it to Dwight early and often. It's all about the Hibbert's ability to stay out of foul trouble. Last time Obie opted to start Foster.

I think Jameer and Carter are also keys. Carter is always a threat, so Dahntay and Rush need to knuckle up and discourage him into jumpers.

[Dunthreevy]

Nelson is out right?

[glasket]

great game thread.

[Miller4ever]

Nelson is out, yes. And from now on I figure the predictions should be in the gamethread, simply because nobody posts in any case.

[Reginald Wayne]

I'm anxious to see how Hansbrough does with Dwight Howard patrolling the paint. Maybe, just maybe, he can draw some fouls on him by taking it up strong.

[Reginald Wayne]

Howard brings the ball down way too much. He allows little guys to strip him. He should learn to Pau Gasol his way to the rim.

[Reginald Wayne]

Damn vince Carter!

[Miller4ever]

Murphy is losing us this ball game right now with his drives.

[Reginald Wayne]

yeah. He pump fakes...and drives left. Way too predictable. Not only that, but he's pump faking shots he should be taking. That top of the key three ball is his shot but he consistently has been pump faking and driving into traffic.

Ford has been playing well tonight. His first half is better than any game he's had all year.

[Miller4ever]

Ford has half of a triple-double. He's actually shot well, too. He's always had good games against Orlando.

I hope the Pacers pull out the win. It'll be huge. At the very least we have to fight a championship contender to the 48th minute instead of petering out and losing by more than 10.

[Reginald Wayne]

Looks like it's gonna go down to the wire.

Pacers have to get better shots. They are bailing themselves out by hitting long shots

[Reginald Wayne]

Ford has half of a triple-double. He's actually shot well, too. He's always had good games against Orlando.

I hope the Pacers pull out the win. It'll be huge. At the very least we have to fight a championship contender to the 48th minute instead of petering out and losing by more than 10.

Looks like that's what happened. =/

[Miller4ever]

There's still time.

[Crossova21]

Rush missed two wide open 3s...and got owned by Vinsanity

[writerman]

a loss is a loss, but I just peeked in at the Magic board...Howard was terrific, of course, as was Carter...but those posters were cyberhighfiving one another like they'd just beat the Lakers in the finals instead of a 8-13 team missing its best player...it's nice to celebrate a win, but there were derogatory comments about the Pacer players...humility and sportsmanship are evidently not the strong suits of a lot of Magic fans

For those of you who saw the game...was the enormous disparity in foul shots legit?

[Miller4ever]

Yes. Howard was getting hacked (on purpose at times) and the Pacers can't draw fouls for ****.