New Jersey Nets face an uphill task against rampant Orlando Magic
(Orlando Magic-New Jersey Nets) at Amway Centre, Florida
The last time Orlando Magic set foot on the court they handed the Minnesota Timberwolves their worst defeat ever, routing them by a whooping margin of 42 points. A night after setting a new franchise record for most points in the
first half, the Magic would be looking to cast another spell as they take on the New Jersey Nets. The Nets, playing their first away game this season at the Amway Centre, will be looking to halt a two-match losing streak.
The odds are heavily stacked against the New Jersey Nets though; Orlando is one of the most potent teams in the Eastern Conference and has started the season confidently. The team comprises of players gifted with talent, skill
and flair and they head into the match on the back of the most one-sided and convincing victory in the season thus far.
In one-on-one analysis Orlando has an upper hand over the New Jersey Nets. Orlando is leading the all time match-up with 46-35 including 24-15 at home, 20-20 on the road and 2-0 at Tokyo, Japan. The Magic have won 10 of the last
13 meetings with the Nets, including a 3-0 drubbing last season. At home, the Magics have only lost one of their last seven encounters against the Nets and the situation does not bode well for the Nets as Orlando are 2-0 at home in the season with an average
margin of victory at 35.5 points per game.
Dwight Howard has been the major Orlando weapon for quite some time now and he will pose a major threat to the Nets, come Thursday night. The phenomenal centre has been scoring at an average of 20 points and 11 rebounds per game
and will be the one to look out for the Nets. Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson, former New Jersey players, have also started the season well and can pose major problems for their former franchise.
While it is Orlando’s offensive prowess that usually attracts a lot of attention, it is actually the Magic’s defence which has been which has been critical key to their success. The Magic have got one of the
best defences in the League.
Last season, Orlando allowed 95.3 points per game (7,812 points), which ranked fourth in the NBA and held the opposition to .438 shooting from the field (2,955-6,739), which ranked first in the league. Orlando
also was second in the league in opponent’s assists per game (apg), allowing 18.9 apg.
The Orlando defence has continued their form this season as well, conceding only 88.3 points on average in the three games and is also holding the opposition to 0.370 shooting from the floor. They also rank
first in the league with 49.7 rebounds per game.
The New Jersey Nets, on the other hand, have lost two consecutive matches, after winning the first two against Detroit and Sacramento. They ended the last season by conceding ten consecutive losses on road and face an Orlando outfit
raring to go in their first away encounter this time around. The Nets’ chances will be depending heavily on Brook Lopez and Devin Harris. The duo has been instrumental in shaping up the New Jersey offense this season.
In 4 starts Brook Lopez averages a team-high 22.8 points shooting 0.471 (33-70) from the field and 0.833 (25-30) from the line with 6.5 boards. Devin Harris has also averaged 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists including
his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 assists against Sacramento.
Devin Harris, though, suffered an injury scare in the last match against the Charlotte Bobcats. He sprained his shoulder and his status for this match is still unclear. It is paramount for the Nets that he makes it for the game.
In four career games with the Nets against the Orlando Magic, Harris has averaged 21.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in 39.1 minutes per game. The New Jersey Nets will hope that he continues his good run against the Magics if they are to stand any
chance of beating the Orlando Magic.
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