What They're Saying: Sixers vs. Magic Game 2

-Congratulations Dwight Howard on becoming Defensive Player of the Year. I can think of one good way to celebrate.

-Michael Kaskey-Blomain of Sixers blog Philadunkia knows his team will have to come out with the same ferocity as it did in the fourth quarter if it wants to steal another game from a surely more determined Magic team.

-Some controversy brewed during the three-day layoff. Marcin Gortat apparently echoed Shaquille O'Neal (and to a certain extent Dwight Howard) on Stan Van Gundy's panicky-ness. Things seemed to have smoothed over though. But as David Whitley of The Orlando Sentinel argues, Van Gundy's urgency might be a good thing for Orlando right now. But don't worry, they smoothed things over... I think.

-Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel says Game 2 is a must-win, statistically speaking of course.

-Kyle Hightower of The Orlando Sentinel says the Sixers are leaving guards Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston open rather than Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. Bad call as Lee's scoring outburst in the second quarter helped Orlando build the lead. But the pressure is on both to perform again in Game 2. This time, hopefully in a winning effort.

-According to Dante & Galante's Twitter page here are your referees for the evening: Steve Javie (ugh!!!), James Capers, Greg Willard.

-Philadelphia has pretty fickle sports fans and Andre Iguodala is the subject of their sometimes adoration and sometimes disgust. Right now, Iguodala is pretty popular as he tries to break the A-list of NBA stars in this postseason, Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

-Zach McCann of Orlando Magic Daily chats with Philadunkia blogger Carey Smith about thoughts from Game One and a preview of Game 2.

-Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer Kate Fagan had a live chat with readers about the series.

-Even though Philadelphia won Game 1, the chess match is on writes Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Daily News. There are still lots of things the 76ers need to fix to pull out the series win.

-Rich Hoffman of the Philadelphia Daily News catches up with Philly-native Jameer Nelson. According to his report, Nelson is an active inactive giving advice to coach's and encouragement to players. On the rehab side of things, Nelson says he has full range of motion back and is constantly working out and rehabbing. It still sucks to be missing the postseason. And the Magic certainly miss him.

-Dwight Howard offers his thoughts in preparation for Game 2.

-Steve Aschburner of Sports Illustrated congratulates Dwight Howard on winning Defensive Player of the Year, but like everyone else is waiting for his offensive game to come around. That might be how he is judged this postseason and what will eventually make Howard a titan of the league's history.


-It will be great when this is not news, but Kyle Hightower of The Orlando Sentinel reports Game 2 is nearing a sell out.

-Nickel Steak of The Puns are Starting to Bore Me echoes my sentiment that Orlando needs to just get Dwight Howard the frikkin' ball in crunch time, regardless of his free throw shooting. At the rate Howard shoots free throws (even on a bad day), Orlando's offense is good enough to be most teams.

-Philadunkia returns the favor by talking with Zach McCann about the Magic.

-Brian of Depressed Fan has his to-do list for Philadelphia in Game 2. Additionally Ricky from Sixers 4 Guidos has his tips for the 76ers to win Game 2.

-jsams of Liberty Ballers is worried like most Sixers fans of history repeating itself. But he is convinced that Philadelphia has grown from last year's experience with Detroit and can make this year's first round series a lot more interesting.