Magic at Bobcats
THE STORY: Dwight Howard came close to reaching a personal-best
rebound total against the New Jersey Nets and seeks to have another big
contest when the Orlando Magic visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.
Howard had 24 rebounds in Orlando’s 94-78 victory over New Jersey on
Thursday, falling two shy of his career-best 26. The 20-rebound game was
the 49th of Howard’s career. He had also had 16 points but was a little
disappointed afterward that the Magic let a big first-quarter lead slip
down to four early in the second half before pulling away for their
second consecutive victory. “One thing I told the guys is when we have a
team down, we’ve got to start keeping them down,” Howard said. “We’ve
got to bury them and put them away and not give them any life. Once we
figure out how to that on a consistent basis, we’re going to be tough.”
Charlotte lost 96-95 to Miami on Wednesday after having a 15-point
halftime lead. The Bobcats committed 22 turnovers, 11 of them in the
third quarter when the Heat got back in the game.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Orlando), SportSouth (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (2-1): Point guard Jameer Nelson left Thursday’s
contest in the third quarter with neck spasms and didn’t return. His
availability against the Bobcats is uncertain. Nelson was scoreless in
17 minutes before exiting and had only two points two nights earlier
against the Houston Rockets. Eight-year veteran Chris Duhon picked up
the slack with nine points, four assists and only one turnover in 28
minutes against New Jersey and will likely start against the Bobcats if
Nelson can’t play.
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (1-1): Boris Diaw is a
bit undersized for a center at 6 feet 8, but he poses problems for
bigger players with his nimble style. Diaw had 16 points, matched his
career-high with 16 rebounds and has eight assists against Miami. The
nine-year veteran has 17 assists in two games to go with averages of
12.5 points and 13.5 rebounds. The matchup with Howard will be an
intriguing one in that Diaw will need to use his athleticism to counter
Howard’s pure bulk.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Orlando won all four meetings with Charlotte last season.
2. Howard is averaging 19.1 points and 14.4 rebounds in 28 career games against the Bobcats.
3. Charlotte outrebounded Miami 53-30 and averaged 52.5 boards in its first two games.