The late-season malaise continued and this time it may actually have cost the Magic something. Through one half in New Jersey, it seemed like Orlando was content to continue its struggling play.
Vince Carter was playing like the old Carter as he led the Nets to a 10-point halftime lead. Orlando just did not seem to have the focus or energy to mount any serious comeback even with New Jersey's best player, Devin Harris, out for the game.
It was clear even before the game that coach Stan Van Gundy was willing to let this one, as well as Monday's game in Milwaukee, go. Van Gundy decided to let Rashard Lewis miss tonight's game as well as Monday's game to rest his knee. Lewis has had some tendinitis issues this season. Good move with the No. 2 seed now out of reach for the Magic.
Dwight Howard and most of the starters should also see limited minutes in the final three games (Orlando needs two of its next three to reach 60 wins).
The bad news? Hedo Turkoglu left the game in the second half with an ankle injury and needed to be carried off the court. No word if he will be back any time soon. But even in the best case, it is safe to say he will be shut down until the playoffs.
Orlando seems ready for the season to end. It is the sign of a young team that they are looking so far ahead. But the Magic will be ready. I would like to see a more concerted effort to win from the starters at the least -- think late-October preseason game effort -- in the last three games.
These guys need to mentally fresh for the postseason more than anything.
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5 years ago
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