By DAVID STEELE
Orlando Magic Play-By-Play Announcer
March 2, 2011
The Orlando Magic got a big lift from an unlikely source Tuesday night. Quentin Richardson came off the bench and played the entire fourth quarter in Orlando's come-from-behind, 116-110 victory over the New York Knicks.
The 30-year-old veteran, a former Knick, had received 20 DNP-CD's from Stan Van Gundy since mid-December, but the coach called Q's number in the second half of Tuesday's game after Hedo Turkoglu was ejected from the contest.
The affable, but sometimes argumentative Turkoglu was handed his second technical foul of the night (and thus, an automatic game disqualification) with 4:01 to play in the second quarter. That opened the door for Richardson, who responded with seven fourth-quarter points and a tenacious defensive effort against New York's explosive newcomer, Carmelo Anthony, who had no field goals in the final 12 minutes.
When Turkoglu left the game, you wondered how the Magic would be able to win without him. Ironically, after the game, you wondered if the Magic would have won the game without his replacement.
Richardson showed what it is to be a true pro (are you listening, Rip Hamilton?) by staying ready to perform both physically and mentally after getting benched and losing a spot in Van Gundy's regular rotation. Coaches, teammates and fans appreciate that professionalism.
Game balls:
Jameer Nelson - As Nelson goes, so go the Magic. First half, Nelson was outplayed by New York's Chauncey Billups. Magic trailed by 11. Second half, Jameer was an unstoppable force, scoring 23 points, 11 in a row for the Magic in one key fourth-quarter stretch. The duel between Neslon (season high 26 points) and Billups (30 points on 18 of 20 free throws) was scintillating second-half fare.
Dwight Howard - Howard recorded his 11th straight 20 point/10 rebound game, with 30 points and 16 rebounds against the Knicks. He also blocked five shots, putting on a defensive clinic in the fourth quarter when the Magic closed out the game. Fan chants of "MVP" often ring hollow. On this night, again, they were well deserved.
Ryan Anderson - When Anderson checked into the game halfway through the third quarter, the Magic trailed 73-63. The sharpshooter from Cal played the final 18 minutes, knocking down three 3-pointers, scoring 13 of his 16 points to help Orlando turn the game around.
For the record books:
Orlando and New York combined for 75 free throws made, and 97 free throws attempted, both franchise records that had stood since November of 1990. (Orlando at Golden State) Let's hope the new standard lasts for 21 more years.
Final word:
The game ended Orlando's seven-game home stand, the second-longest in franchise history (there was an eight-game home stand in March of 2000). The team leaves central Florida for the first time in 20 days when it heads to Miami for Thursday's game against the Heat.
