Magic @ Blazers Game Thread

[Darkwebs]

The team definitely looks more confident.

I think we have our groove back.

 

[MickZagger]

Watch Matthews close on 3 point shooters. Its a thing of beauty.

 

[Darkwebs]

Watch Matthews close on 3 point shooters. Its a thing of beauty.

Yeah, I noticed how he pounced on Reddick when the ball was passed to him and Reddick was momentarily open from behind the 3. That's the type of effort that can win games.

 

[alex42083]

wow.. Andre tearing up the Magic's D.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think we have our groove back.

It would certainly seem that way. I think adding Joel was a boost. Only good things can come from the removal of Sean Marks from the playing rotation.

 

[Natebishop3]

Has anyone else noticed that Miller has taken over the role of closer for this team? He's the one on the iso at the top of the key now...

 

[Darkwebs]

Let's sit back and savor this victory. Ahh, doesn't it feel good?

 

[VenomXL]

Well, I could do without this.

 

[Rhal]

I love TNT's analyst talking about why the magic lost and giving a lot of blame to travel time and sickness and not a lot of trail blazer talk at all.

 

[Darkwebs]

3 straight wins! Wooohooo!!

 

[VenomXL]

LOL Andre, why you gotta be stealing those Chalupas?

Great win! Three game win streak!!!!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Best game I've seen this team play all year ... very good stuff.

 

[Minstrel]

Has anyone else noticed that Miller has taken over the role of closer for this team? He's the one on the iso at the top of the key now...

He was the closer last year, too, when Roy was hurt. It's easier, down the stretch, for a slasher or a big man to take over because they can be ISO'd. Shooters tend to require more help. With no elite offensive big man, Miller is the closest thing we have to an elite slasher when Roy is out or not at full speed.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Has anyone else noticed that Miller has taken over the role of closer for this team? He's the one on the iso at the top of the key now...

Probably for the best. He's a better passer than anyone else on the team, he can post up smaller guards and it should theoretically take some wear and tear off of Brandon ... if he can let the role he once commanded go.

 

[maxiep]

I love TNT's analyst talking about why the magic lost and giving a lot of blame to travel time and sickness and not a lot of trail blazer talk at all.

Yeah, Portland's travel schedule is SOOOOOO easy. IIRC, we fly more miles than any other team.

 

[maxiep]

Best win of the year? I think so.

 

[VenomXL]

Six pages in a win against Orlando? Step your game up S2!

 

[Blazinaway]

Very nice win, tough to watch this version of Roy, really sucks for him and team.

 

[maxiep]

It's like the Magic didn't have an opponent if you listened to TNT.

 

[tlongII]

Very nice win, tough to watch this version of Roy, really sucks for him and team.

Agreed. Roy is basically a massively overpaid role player now. Unreal. I still can't believe we gave him that contract if we knew he had no meniscus left.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Very nice win, tough to watch this version of Roy, really sucks for him and team.

But on the plus side it looks like they're maybe starting to morph a little bit and learn to play in the clutch without him ... and Brandon looks like he might be starting to let things go a little bit.

 

[Darkwebs]

Very nice win, tough to watch this version of Roy, really sucks for him and team.

Yeah, I guess we won't have an All-Star this year. I wonder how Roy is coping with his fall from All-star level status.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Loved Andre's post game interview! He has such a bubbly personality.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Yeah, I guess we won't have an All-Star this year. I wonder how Roy is coping with his fall from All-star level status.

I'm sure it's probably one of the toughest moments in his life.

 

[Darkwebs]

Tomorrow's game against the Suns will be the biggest of the game so far. We are in a fight for the 8th and final playoff spot with Phoenix and if we win this one, we will have the tie-breaker over them, which may prove important when the season ends.

 

[mgb]

Very impressive win! Fun game to watch. When we got down by 14 I was worried we were going to get blown out. They keep this up on the road and I might have a easier time of selling my tickets for the next home stand!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Roy will be fine. It will take time. Right now it looks more mental than physical considering all the talk is about his knees. But the bottom line is he is missing a lot of open shots. Maybe not wide open, but open enough.

Interesting that we easily beat the second best team in the east, and LMA and Roy were 9-37. That is an encouraging sign. Wes, Andre and Nic were the only ones to shoot well.

On another note I continue to laugh at those who wanted to trade Batum (plus) for V- Insanity. Dude continues to show no heart.

 

[illmatic99]

Wes breaking out (8 out of the last 11 games with 20pts or more) is making Roy's steep decline somewhat palpable.

Win the season tonight.

And I found it hilarious that the announcers were making excuses for the Magic about how they were under the weather. Gimme a break! We're missing our starting center. Our star SG has 2 bad knees. Our backup center can't run. And our replacement center and starting PG are entering the twilight of their respective careers. Kerr (especially), you're better than that.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I don't think the Magic are the second best team in the east.

EDIT: I know currently have the 2nd best record in the east, I just think Miami is actually better.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Nice win!

No TNT, the Magic were not at their best tonight. Cry me a river.