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By DAVID STEELE
Orlando Magic Play-By-Play Announcer
February 4, 2011
The Orlando Magic pulled away from Washington in the 4th quarter Friday night to earn an important, grind it out, 110-92 victory over the Wizards at the Verizon Center. Important because the Magic were reeling after two close losses to Memphis and Miami with the Boston Celtics looming on Super Bowl Sunday. Grinder because the Magic lost an emotional game to the Heat the night before in central Florida, and were clearly a fatigued basketball team on the second night of the back to back.
Plenty of game-ball worthy recipients in this one:
-Dwight Howard for following up a 48 minute effort against the Heat with an impressive 22 point, 15 rebound game against the Wiz. Howard's defense was outstanding, and he connected on 10 of 11 shots from the field.
-Jameer Nelson for his on the money lobs to Dwight Howard, en route to an 11 assist night.
-Ryan Anderson for another solid overall performance. Starting in place of the injured Brandon Bass for the 2nd straight night, Anderson scored 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
-J.J. Redick for battling through a sore shoulder to score 15 points off the bench, 11 of which came in the decisive 4th quarter.
-Jason Richardson with another steady, 18 point game.
-Earl Clark with an energetic and productive 18 minutes off the bench. The young forward scored 10 points with 7 rebounds.
-Perhaps most importantly of all, Gilbert Arenas, who played for the first time in front of fans of his former team. Mostly cheered when he entered the game in the first quarter, Arenas had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, while earning the praise of head coach Stan Van Gundy for his outstanding defense throughout the game.
Magic numbers
3- The number of times this season Dwight Howard has not blocked a shot. It has happened in each of the last two games, against Miami and Washington. Of course, it's difficult to block shots when opposing players avoid venturing into the paint and settle mostly for outside jumpers. This is how the Heat and Wizards primarily attacked the Magic defense.
5- The number of players who have scored 50 points or more against the Magic. Three of them play (or played) for the Heat. Glen Rice, Dwayne Wade and now Lebron James of Miami, Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan (twice). Jordan still holds the record for points in a game by an opposing player, 64 against the Magic in 1993.
9- The number of times Lebron James has scored 50+ points in a game. All on the road.
15- The number of times Lebron James has shot 68% or better from the field in his career. He did it against the Magic Thursday night, making 17 of 25 shots. (10 of 16 from at least 15 feet away) His teams are 13-2 when he has shot 68% or better from the field in a game.
12- The number of "flyaway" back to back sets the Magic play this year. (Home game, followed the next night with a road game) Orlando is now 7-2 on the second night of "flyaway" back to backs.
6- The number of "flyaway" back to back sets facing Boston, Miami and Chicago this season.
23- The number of consecutive games Ryan Anderson has made at least 1 three point field goal, longest current streak in the NBA. (Anderson has made 2 or more threes in 19 of the 23 games)
128- The number of dunks Dwight Howard has this season (7 Friday night against the Wizards) Howard leads acrobatic rookie, Blake Griffin, who is 2nd with 113 dunks. Magic fans will see the top two dunkers in the NBA on the floor Tuesday night at Amway Center when Orlando hosts Griffin's LA Clippers.
