Orlando Magic thrashes Washington Wizards in the Opener
The game was as predictable as everyone expected, perhaps even more exciting for the Orlando Magic as they breezed into a victory against the struggling Washington Wizards. The season opener seemed like extending the winning spree
of the exhibition games for Magic. The game they were really looking forward to was the one against Miami Heat on Friday where Magic tried to bring down all the hype surrounding Heat and its infamous Big Three, but failed miserably.
Magic played their first game against the Wizards as a practice session and thrashed the struggling young team like never before. A 112-83 point victory was convincing enough yet they made it look so easy. Wizards, who were in
the lime light before the game due to rookie John Wall, the No. 1 pick of the draft, came out as a team with a long way to go. Wall showed his potential as he scored 14 points and nine assists but these were just not enough to support his team’s devastating
performance.
Dwight Howard was the hero of the night without playing the Hero Ball. His 23 points and 10 rebounds were too much to handle for the Wizards. Orlando looked as good on the court as on paper. Vince Carter, with his 18 points and
Jameer Nelson with his 16 helped Magic slide in for a victory they had anticipated and they just made the League’s most anticipated player, Wall, look bad in his debut. It was tough for the young star who continuously tried to shine, but was reduced to a spectator
to Orlando’s glory.
Golf star Tiger Woods, being an Orlando fan was present at the game. Magic opened the Amway Centre in style as this is a place where they are loved and cherished. They gave the fans what they came for, the biggest margin of victory
on an opening night for Orlando.
The interesting part was Magic’s third-string point guard Jason Williams’s technical foul under NBA’s new low tolerance rule, after which he was ejected from the court.
During the first quarter Rookie Point guard Wall got his first 2 points early enough, but then as he was driving up the lane for a quick layup, it was Howard who sent the shot into the back rows. Wall would never forget the drive.
Wall quickly got up to speed though, as he took another drive right between Howard and helpless Magic power forward Brandon Bass to show them how fast he really is. He left Orlando’s point guard Jameer Nelson for Kirk Hinrich to guard. He was just not lucky
enough with shooting guard Quentin Richardson, who hit a 3-pointer when Wall backed away from him.
During the second quarter Wall missed all five of his shots, while Magic had an exceptionally good 2nd quarter with Vince Carter, who scored 14 points by halftime with his offensive game.
The 3rd quarter had Wizards’ reserve forward Cartier Martin enjoying his time on the court as he strongly stopped Howard from an easy run to the basket. Late in the quarter Howard hit his 12-foot bank shot that he had
practiced all summer. After missing a couple of free throws he came out of the game to serve a self imposed push-up punishment right before the bench.
The starters rested in the fourth quarter for the big game against Miami as Jason Williams got his chance to see action as the third point guard. Wall was still driving for the Wizards but was continuously being stopped by Marcin
Gortat instead of Howard in this quarter.
Gilbert Arenas missed the Opener against Orlando but Wizards’ coach Flip Saunders still wished Arenas were here to save the day. Nevertheless, Saunders can hope for that again as the often troubled guard will not be returning in
the game against Atlanta this Saturday.
Magic finished the game like their 7 preseason wins with an average of about 25 point margin per game. Being the three time defending division champions they were trying to be as prepared for the big game against Heat as the fans
wanted them to be. Unfortunately, it had to be Orlando who faced the Heat music.
Tags: