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With Dwight Howard in foul trouble, Stan Van Gundy got a total team effort on the offensive end as the Magic defeated the up-and-coming Timberwolves by double digits.
After one half at the Amway Center, the Orlando Magic have a double digit lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Magic shot 48 percent from the floor in the first half and raced out to a 55-44 lead after the first 24 minutes. Orlando has also hit nearly half of their attempts from behind the arc.
Hedo Turkoglu and Ryan Anderson are the only Magic players in double figures with ten points each - going a combined four for seven from downtown. Dwight Howard picked up three early fouls and managed only six points and three boards, one of his least productive halves of basketball in quite some time.
The Timberwolves are one of the youngest and most exciting teams in the league. Kevin Love is an automatic double-double and he's well on his way again tonight with 10 points and eight rebounds already. The Wolves actually have a winning record on the road so the Magic will have to keep their guard up and contain Ricky Rubio in the second half to get their second win in a row.
For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Magic, visit Orlando Pinstriped Post, SB Nation's Magic blog. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.
It will be a battle of the big men on Monday night as the Orlando Magic host the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Amway Center. Dwight Howard comes into this with chiefly one goal, slow down Kevin Love. Love is averaging 25.6 points per game and 13.9 rebounds per game with 24 double-doubles. Howard is doing well himself this year averaging 20.5 points and 15.5 rebounds per game with 22 double-doubles.
Another thing that the Magic need to do is pressure Minnesota rookie point guard Ricky Rubio into making mistakes. He had crucial turnovers in the Timberwolves loss to the Knicks and while he leads his team with 8.7 assists per game, he is very prone to problems if put under enough pressure by the defense.
And while this game looks like it could be won in the paint depending on which team gets the rebounding edge, watch for the shooters like Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson to play a role if either one gets hot from beyond the arc. The game is being broadcast locally on Fox Sports Florida, but is also being broadcast nationally on NBA TV tonight at 7 p.m.
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Timberwolves Vs. Magic Recap: Orlando Finishes With Six Players In Double Figures, Cruises To 13-Point Win
Playing against one of the league's young dynamic teams, the Orlando Magic pulled out a 102-89 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Amway Center on Monday night. With Dwight Howard in foul trouble for much of the game, Stan Van Gundy's club spread the wealth around on the offensive end and picked up the All-Star center. All five Magic starters finished in double figures in addition J.J. Redick off the bench.
Jason Richardson, who's in the middle of his best stretch of the season, led the Magic with 17 points. Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, and Redick all finished with 14 points each. Howard had just 11 points and seven boards, hampered by the foul issues against Minnesota's front line.
The young stars of Minnesota were productive but could not match the offensive team effort of Orlando. Kevin Love finished with yet another double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 15 boards. The rookie sensation Ricky Rubio did not have his best game, turning it over five times against Jameer Nelson but he still finished with eight assists. But Minny couldn't hit anything from outside and Orlando cruised to the comfortable win.
The Magic now host another young and exciting team on Wednesday, as the Philadelphia 76ers, run-away leaders of the Atlantic Division, visit the Amway Center.
For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Magic, visit Orlando Pinstriped Post, SB Nation's Magic blog. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.
Feb 13 9:31p by Brendan Porath