Magic Bounces Back with win over Phoenix 103-93
The Orlando Magic, after two clunkers following the announcement of Dwight Howard that he will remain with the team, bounced back against the Suns on Wednesday night behind some hot three point shooting. Howard’s 28 points and 16 rebounds didn’t hurt either.
Ryan Anderson led the Magic with 29 points including 7 three pointers. “We just wanted to play our game, no matter what the situation was or what we scored,” said Magic point guard Jameer Nelson. “Whoever’s out there, just go out and play to our capabilities so we could be good collectively.”
Jared Dudley had 17 points and Robin Lopez chipped in 14 for the Suns. Dudley said the Suns “basically let him have shooting practice” of Anderson’s night. “That’s how they want to play and Dwight had a smile on his face the whole time,” Dudley said. “Anytime he has a smile and is not getting technical you’re going to be in trouble.”
“I probably gave him too much respect,” Former Magic center Marcin Gortat said of Howard. “I should have played him a bit stronger in fighting for my position, but now it’s over. He basically destroyed me and the whole team so that’s what happened. I try to hold up to him in the first half and then in the second half I kind of fell asleep and he started scoring like crazy.” Gortat’s first game back in Orlando since being dealt did not go well for him. He had four points and three assists, which oddly, was one more than Steve Nash had in his 12 point effort.
“I thought for three quarters we made a really concerted defensive effort,” Van Gundy said. “Then we got a big lead and shut down and didn’t do a damn thing for three quarters. But for three quarters I thought our guys really, really tried.”
I’m confused coach. Were there six quarters to the game last night?
Other Magic players in double figures included Glenn “Big Baby” Davis with 16 points and J.J. Recick with 10 points. Shannon Brown and Sebastian Telfair also had 10 points each for the Suns.
Orlando’s record is now 30-18 and they are third in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Phoenix falls to 23-24 and are on the outside looking in on the playoff race in the Western Conference. The Suns are currently in 10th.
