Magic defense takes a stand in New Jersey

Magic defense takes a stand in New Jersey

Published Dec. 27, 2010 9:35 p.m. ET

By SAM GARDNER
FOXSportsFlorida.com Magic Writer
Dec. 27, 2010


There was nothing particularly surprising or remarkable about the fact that the Magic defeated the New Jersey Nets on Monday night in snowy Newark.

Orlando entered the game with a ton of momentum after recent streak-busting wins over NBA powerhouses San Antonio and Boston, and at 9-21, New Jersey was, well, New Jersey. On paper, the Magic came into the Prudential Center and did exactly what they were supposed to do.

What was noteworthy about the Magic's 104-88 victory, rather, was the way they won -- with yet another a dominant defensive performance and a killer instinct not recently seen in this Orlando team.

Over the last few months, the Magic have developed the unfortunate reputation of being a team that can't put opponents away.

Despite being one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league -- both before and after their recent trades -- Orlando seemingly always finds a way to live up to that label by keeping opponents in games with extended periods of futile offense and ineffective defense.

But head coach Stan Van Gundy made sure that didn't happen Monday night.

"Step on them now," a passionate Van Gundy screamed to his team during a third quarter timeout with his team leading by 10.

And step on the Nets they did.

The Orlando lead ballooned to as much as 23 as the Magic hit four three-pointers and Howard knocked down two mid-range jumpers in the fourth period, but it was really the defense -- which allowed just 10 points in the first nine minutes of the game's final stanza -- that was vital to the Magic blowout.

"After the first quarter we played very well," Van Gundy said. "In the first quarter we didn't defend with much purpose, but after that I thought our defense got a lot better we got the ball up and down the floor, and I think when Dwight (Howard) got to play in the second half he was dominant and that's what turned the game around."

Plagued by foul trouble -- including his NBA-leading 11th technical -- Howard played just 12 minutes in the first half and only had two points and three rebounds as Orlando took a 51-44 lead into the break.

But he more than made up for it in the second half, when he scored 17 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and, most importantly, blocked four New Jersey shots. He finished the game with six blocks and the Magic improved to 47-13 when Howard blocks five or more shots.

"He got to rest a lot in the first half and took advantage in the second half," Van Gundy said. "I thought he played really, really well."

The Magic held the Nets to just 39.7 percent shooting -- two nights after holding Boston to 34.6 percent from the floor -- and limited New Jersey to 36.9 percent shooting from three-point range.

The defensive effort was a far cry from the one shown over a four-game West Coast trip that ended 12 days ago in Denver.

"We've won for three years because we've been one of the best defensive teams in the league, (and) I don't see a lot of desire in there for people wanting to be that," Van Gundy said at the time. "Wanting to put out the effort and wanting to do it. And if that doesn't change, then this won't change. Then we'll just keep getting beat."

Well, the Magic have had enough losing, and it looks like Orlando's defense is finally tired of being pushed around.

Add to that a newfound cold-bloodedness and some intensity not previously seen on the offensive end, and the future is looking bright in Orlando.

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