Orlando Magic Sharp Shooting Downs T-Wolves
Coming off a win in Milwaukee against the Bucks, the Orlando Magic (18-11) were looking to start a new winning streak by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-16) Monday night. This one was never in doubt as the Magic would win the game 102-89.
Twenty seconds into the game, Martell Webster hit a jump shot to give Minnesota a 2-0 lead. That would be the only lead of the game for the Timberwolves as the Magic would score the next five and would not relinquish the lead. Orlando took control early in the second quarter by starting the period on a 12-4 run. Up 11 at halftime, the Magic would start the third quarter on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 62-44. They would get up by as much as 18 in the third quarter before Minnesota attempted a comeback but would only get within 11.
Midway through the fourth quarter Minnesota attempted another comeback. With eight minutes left, the Timberwolves started a 10-2 run which cut the Magic lead to eight but it wouldn’t last. J.J. Redick hit a three from the wing and Jameer Nelson hit a jumper to push the Magic lead back to 13. The Magic would keep Minnesota at bay from then on and win by 13.
Scoring wise, the Magic were led for the second consecutive game by Jason Richardson. Coming off of a 31-point breakout performance in Milwaukee Saturday night, Richardson responded Monday by putting up 17. Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, and Ryan Anderson also scored in double figures for the Magic. The usually dominate Dwight Howard was hampered by foul trouble only playing 27 minutes scoring 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
The Magic were lifted to victory by their three-point shooting, free throw shooting, and by a lack of turnovers, something they haven’t done much this year. The Magic shot 40% from behind the arc and were 18 for 22 from the line. Keeping from turning the ball over has been something the Magic have struggled with this season but not Monday night. The Magic only had nine turnovers while the Timberwolves had 18.
The Magic have now won six of their last eight games as they try to climb the Eastern Conference standings. Three of the last seven games to end the month of February will be against teams ahead of Orlando in the Eastern Conference and will give the Magic more chances to continue their rise.
Up Next: The Magic will be off Tuesday before hosting the Philadelphia 76ers (20-9) Wednesday night at the Amway Center. Philadelphia will be coming off a win in Charlotte against the Bobcats.
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