Bobcats at Magic
THE STORY: The Orlando Magic have won four straight - all
on the road. Orlando completed the swing with a 102-93 victory over the
New York Knicks on Monday, which tips off a back-to-back-to-back
stretch for the Magic. The Charlotte Bobcats are the middle game of
three straight and come to the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday with only one
win in their last eight games. The Bobcats gave up a 14-point,
third-quarter lead to lose 102-94 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday
afternoon. Charlotte scored 34 points in the second quarter but only 37
in the second half. Orlando has won nine straight meetings with
Charlotte.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Carolina (Charlotte), FS Florida (Orlando)
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (3-11):
With the return of Tyrus Thomas to the frontcourt, coach Paul Silas has
put the pedal down with a speedier starting lineup. Rookie Kemba Walker
is teaming in the backcourt with D.J. Augustin, dropping big-body Boris
Diaw to the bench. The new guard combo is giving the Bobcats some pop
on offense. Walker and Augustin have combined for 77 points the last two
games.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (9-3): The Magic’s potent perimeter corps came
through Monday, with Ryan Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu and J.J. Redick
combining for 22 of the team’s 29 points in the fourth quarter. Anderson
finished the game with a career-high 30 points, Redick dropped in 21
and Turkoglu scored 15. The trio combined for 14 3-pointers. Orlando is
the NBA's second-best 3-point shooting team, averaging 46.6 from beyond
the arc.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Dwight Howard, dealing with a sore wrist,
scored only eight points before fouling out against the Knicks. Howard
was 2 for 9 from the foul line after breaking the NBA record for free
throw attempts with 39 versus Golden State on Thursday.
2. Magic
guard Jason Richardson did not play against the Knicks on Monday because
of a bruised knee. Redick started in his place. Richardson is doubtful
for Tuesday.
3. Orlando leads the all-time series 21-8.