The Orlando Magic were out for revenge. After scoring a record-low 56 points in their loss to the Boston Celtics on December 23rd on the road, they came out fired up in their first game against the Celtics since that disaster.
The Magic started out well. They were up by as many as 21 points by halftime. Power forward Ryan Andersen was carrying the offense in the first half scoring 12 points. The Magic were out-hustling the Celtics to every loose ball and were dominating the Celtics on the defensive end of the court. And what was even more amazing was the Magic were doing this without superstar center Dwight Howard being as dominant as he usually is. All hope looked lost as the Celtics were just getting drilled.
The second half didn’t start off any better, as the Celtics were continuing to get drilled. They were down by as much as 27 points when a switch seemed to come on for the C’s. They began to pick it up defensively, they shut out Ryan Andersen and they began to force their will on the game.
Leading the charge was an unlikely figure. Rookie E’Twaun Moore was widely considered a longshot to make the Celtics team this year. In fact, no one expected him to be a factor. But, leave it to the Celtics to find another player off their bench. With point guard Rajon Rondo out with a wrist injury and shooting guard Ray Allen out with an ankle injury, youngster Avery Bradley was forced into the starting lineup and Dooling was forced to play even more minutes. No one expected the Purdue product to come in and lead the charge for the C’s.
Moore, along with Paul Pierce, carried the Celtics with 10 points each in the fourth quarter as the Celtics came back to win the game 91-83.
This loss has got to cap off one of the lowest weeks of the Magic this season and in a long time. They got drilled by 31 in Boston, won a blowout against Indianaand then lost a seemingly insurmountable lead to the Celtics. After the week the Magic just had, I think it is time to seriously consider trading Dwight Howard.
Howard is a dominant force in the middle, but with nothing around him, the Magic aren’t going very far. Howard could bring the Magic some nice pieces and help them rebuild. The problem is, the Magic haven’t seen the light yet and made it happen. The clock is ticking on the Magic. Do they hang on and take their chances on keeping Howard in hopes that he will re-sign in Orlando, or do they trade him and get back viable young pieces or expiring contracts?
One word of advice to the Magic: Realize what happened with Shaq when he was there and get what you can for him. The choice is yours Orlando.
If you have any sports questions or need an answer on something, hit me up on Twitter (@General_MP).
Previously: Inside Sports With The General: NFL Championship Weekend, Passing Of Joe Paterno, NBA Injuries Stack Up
There Are Currenty 4 Comments for this Post
Is it just me, or does Stan Van Gundy look more and more like Ron Jeremy every day?
The Magic are unbelievable… For all the wrong ways. You can’t follow one of the worst offensive performances in NBA history with a collapse like that.
#Magic had two devastating losses to them this year so far. I think time is ticking for them to trade Howard for value. Each passing day they lose leverage. Unless #Magic get lucky and a team comes out of no where to make a crazy deal for Howard… I.E. #Knicks for Amare?
My only theory is the Orlando Magic are cursed. Howard will be dealt at the deadline or at the draft. And yes Dubsism, Stan Van Gundy and Ron Jeremy are separated at birth. The only difference is RJ knows how to score in the clutch!