Game Preview: Orlando vs. Their Destroyers

Game Preview:
Opponent: Orlando Magic(9-2)
Relevant Opposing Blogger: Believing in Magic

The Orlando Magic flicker into existence tonight in New Orleans to take on the Hornets, winners of 5 in a row. Orlando is also a proud posessor of a 9-2 record, much like the Hornets, but has only won 4 in a row, so is already clearly behind the Hornets. Both teams are seeking to establish themselves as contenders, and are very similar, down to both having played a fairly weak schedule. Of the three really good teams the Magic have faced, Detriot, Phoenix, and Boston, they've only won one game, so let's hope that record goes to 1-3 tonight.

One last note - the Magic are coming off a huge two-point win against the Celtics, sending that team and it's way too many headlines down to defeat. This is good for three reasons - they'll be exhausted for playing last night against a good team, they'll probably be on the downside of an emotional high, and lastly, Boston got beaten and hopefully we'll see articles about some other teams on the major sites. Yeah, I know that's not likely.

We may be running without without Chris Paul tonight, which hurts of course. Paul's a tough little devil, so I'm hoping he'll show up and give the Hornets a big lift by pulling off a Willis Reed entrance before the game, but I'll do this preview with the understanding that he's not playing.

Positional Analysis
PG: Jameer Nelson vs. Chris Paul
Advantage: Hornets
Bam! See what I mean? Wasn't that just inspiring? Okay - if Paul's not playing, this is an advantage to the Magic. Nelson is a quick young point guard, with a little tendency to shoot first and pass later. Jannero Pargo, who will start in place of Paul, is a quick, youngish point guard with a tendency to shoot first, then shoot second, and then pass. Nelson's a better shooter overall and less turnover prone - so he's got the edge.

SG: Keith Bogans vs. Morris Peterson
Advantage: Hornets
Finally I can give the advantage to Morris. I've been wanting to do that for a while. Both of these players are defenders who can hit the spot up three. Morris plays less, scores and rebounds more, and shoots a little bettter. Go Mo-Pete!

SF: Rashard Lewis vs. Peja Stojakovic
Advantage: Magic
Rashard Lewis is what Peja Stojakovic used to be - a deadly offensive machine that can hit from inside and out, post up a little, and play little defense. He's killed the Hornets the past few years, and I expect him to get his tonight. Still, if Peja can push him a little, this position won't be a big loss.

PF: Hedo Turkoglu vs. David West
Advantage: Hornets
This year has been something of a coming out party for Hedo. Lots of articles have been written about what a surprise he's been and how effective he's been. That's all well and good, but David West is better in almost every statistical category, is way stronger than him, and is a better defender. If West could concentrate only on Hedo, the Turk wouldn't do much. But . . .

C: Dwight Howard vs. Tyson Chandler
Advantage: Magic
. . . he won't be able to. Dwight Howard is a monster, and has finally developed his ability to score. So far this year he's a better rebounder than Tyson, is amazingly a better athlete, and also much stronger than Tyson. He's also a monster shot blocker. West is going to have to help out against him down low, leaving Turkoglu open, which will hurt. The good news is he's turnover prone, so if the Hornets swarm him, they could neutralize him some.

Tonight will be a good test of the Hornets. I'm optimistic they can gut this one out. Without Paul, they win 93-91. With Paul, 101-94.