NBA Match Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Orlando Magic
Southwest toppers meet the Southeast’s middle, as San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic get ready for a showdown tonight. Meeting for the second time this season, the Magic’s play hosts this time as the Spurs visit the Amway Centre
tonight.
Topping the Western Conference with an impressive 25-3 win loss mark, the Spurs are looking for their eleventh consecutive win tonight and that too for the second time this season. Earlier in the season, from 1st Nov
to 24th Nov, Spurs enjoyed a twelve game winning streak before having it snapped by the Dallas Mavericks in a home match on the 26th by a nine-point defeat. Alternating between wins and losses for a while, the Spurs once again caught
a lucky break after losing to the L.A. Clippers earlier in the month. On a roll since then, the Spurs stand at a ten game winning streak.
Playing their third match this week, the Spurs have already hosted and enjoyed close wins against the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets earlier in the week.
Playing against the Suns on Monday, the Spurs rushed into the lead early into the first quarter and then managed to maintain it until the end. Although Suns tried to reduce the deficit towards the end of the fourth quarter, it
was of no avail. A tip shot and a dunk by Josh Childress, managed to bag a few points for the Suns; however, it still was not enough. Free throws by Matt Bonner, Gary Neal and Manu Ginobili only extended the Spurs lead. A layup shot by Steve Nash with three
seconds remaining, marked the end of the game. Spurs managed an eight-point victory over the Suns with the scoreboard showing 118-110.
On Wednesday, Spurs played the Nuggets. Scoring 22 points each, Neal and Ginobili led the Spurs to a six-point win over the Nuggets. The score was 109-103 as the buzzer rang. Talking of Neal’s career high of 22 points, Coach Gregg
Popovich said, "I think that (Neal) has been magnificent. Not just because he's making shots, he rebounds, he sticks his nose in, he's trying to play good defence, he's learning more everyday and he's a coachable kid. He has really been a joy."
Although they stand at 16-12 this season, the Magic have run into a bit of a bad luck lately. Standing on a four game slide, Magic look to avoid their fifth straight loss this season.
Registering a disappointing 0-2 for the week so far, the Magic are desperate for a win tonight. They opened the week visiting Atlanta to play the Hawks. The Hawks sent Magic packing with a ten-point defeat, the final score being
81-91.
This was Magic’s first defeat after the weekend trade of three players and third straight in the season. Magic’s trade resulted in them ending up with Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu. New players seemed to have
no effect on bettering the situation for Magic. Shooting a combined 13 of 53 and scoring only 21 points, the trio failed to help avoid another loss as the Magic lost to the Dallas Mavericks in a home match on Tuesday. Although Dwight Howards registered 20
points with 20 rebounds, it still was not enough to save the Magic from a 99-105 defeat.
Talking about the trio, Magic's coach Stan Van Gundy said, "I don't know if it's being in a new situation or putting too much pressure on themselves. All three of them are struggling to shoot the ball."
With only one loss on the road so far this season, the Spurs sport an impressive 9-1 win loss mark making them the favourites to win tonight despite the home court advantage enjoyed by the Magic. The 1-0 lead in the season head
to head gives the Spurs the psychological plus of having defeated the Magic once. Will Spurs up their lead tonight or will Magic level the score? It remains to be seen.
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