Once again, the Magic turned up their play level of play in the fourth quarter to seal the deal in a 97-86 win over the host Los Angeles Clippers and set a franchise record by winning their eighth game in a row
As they often do, the Magic got off to a hot start. Both Rashard Lewis and Jason Williams hit three 3-pointers in the period and the Magic led 34-24. Orlando shot 13-of-19 in the quarter and went 6-of-8 from downtown. Then, in typical Magic fashion, they fashion, they cooled off in the second quarter and let the Clippers get back in the game with sloppy play and several turnovers.
The Clippers briefly took the lead in the third quarter but Anthony Johnson gave the Magic a 70-69 lead they would never relinquish. Mickael Pietrus closed the quarter with a last second, shot clock beating 3-pointer that gave Orlando a four-point lead. Orlando dominated the fourth quarter, holding the Clippers to just 17 points and came out with an 11-point victory.
Dwight Howard decided that his birthday was the best time for him to have his best all-around game of the season. Howard did it all Tuesday night. Howard was aggressive right from the start and his teammates did an excellent job of getting him the ball when he had good position. Howard made excellent decisions with the ball. He not only scored 12 points, but he was also able to dish out 3 assists. Howard also got it done on the defensive end in the first period, blocking two shots.The Clippers’ had no answer for Howard throughout the game. He finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks, 5 assists and 2 steals. Howard’s lowest stat total may have been his most impressive. He only picked up 2 fouls. In a season where foul trouble has been his biggest problem, Howard staying out of foul trouble will be key for Howard. From the start, Howard just seemed way to quick and agile for Clippers Center Chris Kaman to handle. Kaman, on the other hand, could not get anything going offensively against Howard. Kaman scored 16 points, but shot 8-of-22 from the field and two of his baskets came in the last two minutes when the game was no longer in doubt.
Jason Williams provided an early spark offensively, scoring 11 points in the first quarter, and was solid throughout the rest of the game. Williams made four of his seven 3-point attempts and finished the game with 16 points and three assists. Williams, once again, was without a turnover.
He was booed each time he touched the ball. Williams originally signed with the Clippers last season before choosing to retire instead.
Speaking of Point Guard play, in his post game press conference, Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy praised not only Jason Williams’ play, but Anthony Johnson’s as well.
"“I thought J-Will was great offensively and being able to go to AJ and not have to double-team was the key to the second half.”"
Johnson played 22 minutes, scored 6 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 4 assists and played some very good defense. The Magic had to double team the bigger Baron Davis with Jason Williams in the game but getting Anthony Johnson on him allowed the Magic to stop.
If Rashard Lewis hadn’t already found his shot, he has now. Lewis shot poorly on 2-point field goal attempts, going 1-of-4, but he was excellent from beyond the arc, going 4-of-7. He finished the game with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Los Angeles’ guards gave the Magic some trouble. Eric Gordon scored 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Baron Davis had an off-night shooting the ball, going 7-of-19 from the field, but he did still manage to score 18 points. Plus, he got his teammates involved, dishing out 7 assists.
Orlando’s defense was very good. The Clippers shot just 40% from the field (34-of-85) and 35.3% from beyond the arc (6-of-17). Their eFG% was just 43.5%. The Clippers attempted just 19 free throws and made only 12. Orlando also blocked 10 of Los Angeles’ shots.
Orlando, on the other hand, had an eFG% of 55%. They were just 32-of-71 from the field, but made 14 of their 34 3-point attempts.
The Magic outrebounded the Clippers 44-38, but still let the Clippers grab 9 offensive rebounds to their 7.
The Magic still have a big turnover problem. They committed 16 turnovers today and 11 of them came on steals by the Clippers. Orlando’s turnover problem got the Clippers back into the game at the end of the first quarter and early in the second quarter.
Game Notes:
- Orlando assisted on 22 of their 32 field goals. L.A. made 34 field goals on 23 assists.
- Ryan Anderson was the first “big” off of the bench and he scored 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting.
- Brandon Bass did not play.
- Matt Barnes grabbed 7 rebounds but had a pretty poor stat night outside of that. He did not score and had 4 turnovers.
- The Clippers had more fast break points (22-2), points in the paint (38-30) and points off turnovers (21-6).
- Former Florida State Forward Al Thornton had 15 points for the Clippers.
- Marcus Camby scored just 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting, but he grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked 3 shots.
- Stan Van Gundy caught a perfect pass from Thornton and faked like he was going to shoot it.
Final Thought: Orlando’s eight straight road wins and 17-4 start are both franchise records.
Next Up: Halfway done with their road trip, the Magic play the Jazz in Utah on Thursday at 10:30.