This series may actually look tighter than it appears to be with the 76ers and the Magic. Both teams match up well on paper and should provide for some good excitement, but unfortunately that may not be the case. The 76ers limped into the playoffs losing five straight before they concluded the year with a stunning victory in Cleveland, minus LeBron James. On the flip side, the Magic also have their fair share of problems, as they will be without point guard Jameer Nelson.
The Magic hold the x-factor in this series with the freak of nature Dwight Howard. This guy is unbelievably huge and strong, and cannot be stopped within six feet of the rim. That presents a problem for the 76ers because no one on their roster can stop him. Samuel Dalembert or Reggie Evans will get the assignment to try and contain Howard, but it will be free reign for Dwight. But, there maybe one player that could actually disturb Howard’s progress to the rim, that player being Thaddeus Young. He has the height and weight to at least take him to the outside and force jumpers.
If that were to happen, which is highly unlikely, the Magic have deadly shooters on the perimeter that can easily knock three’s and hurt a team early in the game. The Magic led the Association in three point field goal percentage and in most attempted three’s. Orlando was led by Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu, but they will have to alter their games, because Head Coach Stan Van Gundy won’t be pleased if they jack up ill-advised three point shots.
Overall, the Magic have still looked impressive, even without Jameer Nelson, and Rafer Alston who was acquired in a mid-season deal has filled in nicely for Nelson. This series shouldn’t be a problem for the Magic, because they are going to face a fragile and extremely inconsistent 76ers team.
On Philadelphia, Andre Igoudala has a lot to prove, if he is the true leader of this team, can he win games on his own, and is he a playoff performer. There were flashes of all three of those things in last year’s playoffs, but they did not appear all at once. If Igoudala can get it going in the playoffs, the 76ers will have a chance to push this series to the limit, because no one on the Magic can guard him.
The two players that will have to do that job are Lewis and Turkoglu and both are hardly the defensive specialists. They flat out stink on defense and are very nonchalant and only play defense when they get an ear full from their coach. Even if they were to play defense, they won’t be able to keep Igoudala in front of them.
This will be a battle of leaders on each team, Igoudala versus Howard. In the end, defense wins games and especially in the playoffs. The Magic play defense, consistently, which is key, because the 76ers struggled all season long on the defensive end.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE ORLANDO MAGIC WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 5 GAMES. THEY ARE GREAT AT HOME WITH 32 WINS, AND TIED FOR THE SECOND BEST ROAD RECORD WITH 27 WINS.
*ONLY WAY PHILADELPHIA 76ERS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY WIN GAME 1 IN ORLANDO AND ALL THREE OF THEIR HOME GAMES.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
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