Gooden (C)
Howard (PF)
Giricek (SF)
McGrady (SG)
Lue (PG)
Made no trades, first game against Knicks.
Mods, please delete te other topic about my other dynasty, it was pretty much offtopic.
@New York Knicks - 83-90
New York - The New York Knicks had something to prove: That the Stephon Marbury trade worked. And they did, slaughtering the helpless Orlando Magic at their home court. The Knicks started strong, making 11-16 field goals, including 2 3-pointers each from Houston and Marbury. It bust open the game and had a commanding 50-31. Midway through the 3rd quarter, McGrady left the game after clashing with Houston. He left the game with 6:11 remaining clutching his right elbow. This proved to be fatal, as the Magic lacked the offensive power needed to cut into the lead. On the back of Keith Van Horn's strong offensive plays, who finished with 23 points (11 in 3rd quarter), they led by as many as 28. McGrady reentered with 4:32 left in the 4th quarter, and hit a couple of 3 pointers to tighten the game and reduce the lead. In the end, the Knicks hit all their free throws to displace any hope of a comeback.
At the press conference, coach Johnny Davis lamented, "We did nothing right tonight, we lost to ourselves. We're capable of playing at a higher level, but we rarely threatened to take the game to the Knicks, and we paid the price." Gooden, who ended with 17 pts 12 rebounds, sounded the alarm bells, "We won't get far if we play like this every night." We shall see indeed.
New Orlean Hornets - 110-85
Orlando - Crisis? Not one chance, when you have the offence of Howard, McGrady and Giricek combined. They contributed a total of the Magic's 57 points, and ran away with a one-sided victory which they led all game. After a disappointing loss to the New York Knicks, the Magics wanted to prove all their doubters wrong, and they did it in spectacular fashion. A good start - 12-1 run - after the opening tip, did much to boost their confidence. With McGrady firing all cylinders, Howard and Gooden dominating the boards, and Giricek picking up baskets, the Magic overwhelmed the Hornets 67-32. There was no threat from the Hornets, who only had Baron Davis hitting the shots. Davis ended the game with a game high 38pts 6asst 3steals, but was unable to help his team emerge victorious. McGrady's dunk after a steal by Williams on a fast break highlighted the potential of the Magic squad. McGrady finished with 33pts 6asst 5rbn, and left the game amidst cheers of "T-Mac". Indeed, he had reason to be happy, for the Magic bench chipped in, with Keith Bogans ending with 15. Although Davis did score 12 in the 4th quarter, there was never a though of a comeback.
Juan Howard, with 16pts 17 rbn, commented, "We knew we had to work hard, we had to get this game. Now we just have the play with the same intensity." After tonight's dominating performance, one is left wondering whether the next match will reveal the strong, or the weak Magic team.