NBA
Regular Season Round 79: Orlando M. - Brooklyn N. 86-70
Date: March 16, 2012
New Jersey Nets coach Avery Johnson watched Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard score 18 points and collect six rebounds, barely breaking a sweat in Orlando's 86-70 victory Friday. Injured Nets guard Deron Williams (strained right calf) watched from the bench then retreated to the locker room in the second half, and Nets general manager Billy King, back in New Jersey, presumably viewed the game on TV. Maybe they wondered how close they were to acquiring Howard. Maybe wondered what it would be like to have Howard on the court - dunking, rebounding, blocking shots. Maybe they didn't wonder. Johnson said he hasn't. Either way, the Nets got another up-close glimpse of the player they have wanted since the lockout ended. It's the player they still want, and it's easy to think about Howard in a Nets uniform with Williams running the point. And you never know, it's the player they still may get some day. When Howard decided to opt in with the Magic, it only was for the 2012-13 season, the final year of his contract. If Howard doesn't sign an extension with Orlando this summer, the scenario that just played out with Howard from December until Thursday - the trade requests, the waffling, the constant speculation - could play out again next season all the way through the trade deadline. In fact, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, speaking to reporters Friday for the first time since Howard committed to the Magic for next season on Thursday, suggested as much. "The players are relieved … But then we're set up to go through it all again next year," Van Gundy said. "We've done it once, and we'll do it again." Williams said Friday he will not opt in to the final year of his contract, like Howard did, and he will become a free agent after this season. The Nets want to bring him back and possibly go after Howard But if the Nets want Howard in 2013-14, signing Williams is crucial. Williams said he is looking for stability for his family. He has two kids and said he wants them to get settled in a school and not have to worry about moving for a while. New Jersey coach Avery Johnson has standard answer when asked about Williams' future. "As far as I know, Deron is excited about going to Brooklyn," he said. Howard put a temporary halt to the nonstop chatter about his future. Magic fans rewarded Howard with a loud standing ovation during pregame player introductions Friday. For weeks, Magic executives, coaches, players and fans didn't know if Howard would be in an Orlando uniform. "It was great," Howard said. "I thank all the fans that stuck with me all this time (and) showed me their love. It was great to see it." Even Howard joked about the crazy week in which he said he wanted to finish the season in Orlando, then said he wanted to play for the Magic next season, then wouldn't commit to the Orlando beyond this season then finally said he would. "You guys act like I went to another team and came back," Howard said. It wasn't much of a game. The Magic had six players in double figures, and the Nets shot 33% from the field. Howard scored Orlando's first points on a dunk and blocked a shot on New Jersey's next possession. He had 10 points and four rebounds in the first quarter, and the Magic coasted for the most part. "We needed this game," Howard said. "The only thing that (mattered) was coming out and playing the right way, getting another win, bouncing back after a tough loss against San Antonio." The Magic are 29-16, have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, the fifth-best record in the NBA and are 7-3 since the All-Star break. Their focus is on winning a championship. Johnson, the Nets coach, said it was very possible the Magic could represent the East in the NBA Finals. Van Gundy said his team must improve defensively if that is a realistic goal. Orlando plays at the Miami Heat Sunday and at home against Chicago Monday., a back-to-back that should give Van Gundy a better indication of where his team stands. Courtesy of www.usatoday.com
Terms:
Field Goals : 2PM-A (2 point Field Goal made-attempts) 3PM-A (3 point Field Goal made-attempts) FTM-A (free throws made-attempt)
Rebounds : OFF (Offensive) DEF (Defensive) TOT (total)
Fouls : CM (Committed) RV (received)
Blocks : FV (In Favor) AG (Against)
Other terms : MIN (minutes) AST (assists) ST (steals) TO (Turnovers) PTS (points) RNK (ranking)
Regular Season Round 79: Orlando M. - Brooklyn N. 86-70
Date: March 16, 2012
New Jersey Nets coach Avery Johnson watched Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard score 18 points and collect six rebounds, barely breaking a sweat in Orlando's 86-70 victory Friday. Injured Nets guard Deron Williams (strained right calf) watched from the bench then retreated to the locker room in the second half, and Nets general manager Billy King, back in New Jersey, presumably viewed the game on TV. Maybe they wondered how close they were to acquiring Howard. Maybe wondered what it would be like to have Howard on the court - dunking, rebounding, blocking shots. Maybe they didn't wonder. Johnson said he hasn't. Either way, the Nets got another up-close glimpse of the player they have wanted since the lockout ended. It's the player they still want, and it's easy to think about Howard in a Nets uniform with Williams running the point. And you never know, it's the player they still may get some day. When Howard decided to opt in with the Magic, it only was for the 2012-13 season, the final year of his contract. If Howard doesn't sign an extension with Orlando this summer, the scenario that just played out with Howard from December until Thursday - the trade requests, the waffling, the constant speculation - could play out again next season all the way through the trade deadline. In fact, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, speaking to reporters Friday for the first time since Howard committed to the Magic for next season on Thursday, suggested as much. "The players are relieved … But then we're set up to go through it all again next year," Van Gundy said. "We've done it once, and we'll do it again." Williams said Friday he will not opt in to the final year of his contract, like Howard did, and he will become a free agent after this season. The Nets want to bring him back and possibly go after Howard But if the Nets want Howard in 2013-14, signing Williams is crucial. Williams said he is looking for stability for his family. He has two kids and said he wants them to get settled in a school and not have to worry about moving for a while. New Jersey coach Avery Johnson has standard answer when asked about Williams' future. "As far as I know, Deron is excited about going to Brooklyn," he said. Howard put a temporary halt to the nonstop chatter about his future. Magic fans rewarded Howard with a loud standing ovation during pregame player introductions Friday. For weeks, Magic executives, coaches, players and fans didn't know if Howard would be in an Orlando uniform. "It was great," Howard said. "I thank all the fans that stuck with me all this time (and) showed me their love. It was great to see it." Even Howard joked about the crazy week in which he said he wanted to finish the season in Orlando, then said he wanted to play for the Magic next season, then wouldn't commit to the Orlando beyond this season then finally said he would. "You guys act like I went to another team and came back," Howard said. It wasn't much of a game. The Magic had six players in double figures, and the Nets shot 33% from the field. Howard scored Orlando's first points on a dunk and blocked a shot on New Jersey's next possession. He had 10 points and four rebounds in the first quarter, and the Magic coasted for the most part. "We needed this game," Howard said. "The only thing that (mattered) was coming out and playing the right way, getting another win, bouncing back after a tough loss against San Antonio." The Magic are 29-16, have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, the fifth-best record in the NBA and are 7-3 since the All-Star break. Their focus is on winning a championship. Johnson, the Nets coach, said it was very possible the Magic could represent the East in the NBA Finals. Van Gundy said his team must improve defensively if that is a realistic goal. Orlando plays at the Miami Heat Sunday and at home against Chicago Monday., a back-to-back that should give Van Gundy a better indication of where his team stands. Courtesy of www.usatoday.com
 BROOKLYN N. (coach: Jordi Fernandez)70 |
| FIELD GOALS | REBOUNDS | FOULS | BLOCKS | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | NAME | MIN | 2PM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OFF | DEF | RB | AS | F | RV | ST | FV | AG | TO | PT | RNK | +/- |
| 89 | ORUQI, zIhij | 48 | 3-9 (09.6%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 8 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 61 | 5 |
| 6 | GiajRs, AujdaiUi | 82 | 6-2 (68.0%) | 6-0 (85%) | 6-8 (05%) | 8 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | -6 | 5 |
| 88 | bIQQIT, SjUhIjF | 89 | 4-65 (45%) | 5-8 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 6 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 5 |
| 7 | mQIIVs, biQshIj | 81 | 6-2 (68.0%) | 5-4 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 6 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | -9 | 5 |
| GQRRj, GRQild | 80 | 0-9 (96.3%) | 6-8 (05%) | 6-8 (05%) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 63 | 66 | 5 | |
| 34 | HuBphQaRs, KQas | 84 | 5-1 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 3-3 (655%) | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 3 | -8 | 5 |
| WallaiBs, zIQdij | 86 | 3-2 (05%) | 5-5 (5%) | 8-8 (655%) | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 65 | 68 | 5 | |
| 2 | WallaiBs, AhRldRj | 86 | 8-3 (05%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 8 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| ABaUh, zRQQF | 85 | 6-3 (80%) | 6-4 (44.4%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| 78 | AURLRjsIj, gRAhiTj | 62 | 6-6 (655%) | 4-0 (15%) | 5-5 (5%) | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 66 | 64 | 5 |
| 44 | WallaiBs, gRQIj | gXO - CIiZh's gRZasaIj | ||||||||||||||||
| 66 | vIpRJ, mQIIV | gXO - CIiZh's gRZasaIj | ||||||||||||||||
| 8 | yiQBiQ, zIQdij | gXO - CIiZh's gRZasaIj | ||||||||||||||||
| wIUil | 88-14 (43.7%) | 1-85 (45.5%) | 2-65 (25.5%) | 68 | 89 | 47 | 61 | 63 | 5 | 64 | 5 | 5 | 64 | 95 | 03 | |||
 ORLANDO M. (coach: Jamahl Mosley)86 |
| FIELD GOALS | REBOUNDS | FOULS | BLOCKS | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | NAME | MIN | 2PM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OFF | DEF | RB | AS | F | RV | ST | FV | AG | TO | PT | RNK | +/- |
| 84 | eaZhiQdsIj, zisIj | 41 | 8-3 (05%) | 8-0 (35%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 65 | 64 | 5 |
| 44 | SjdRQsIj, eFij | 40 | 4-3 (90%) | 6-9 (63.4%) | 4-3 (90%) | 8 | 7 | 66 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 68 | 61 | 5 |
| 68 | HITiQd, gTaDhU | 48 | 2-65 (25%) | 5-5 (5%) | 8-4 (11.9%) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 62 | 80 | 5 |
| 60 | wuQVIDlu, HadiFRU | 46 | 8-4 (11.9%) | 6-0 (85%) | 4-3 (90%) | 5 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 65 | 0 | 5 |
| 63 | XRlsIj, ziBRRQ | 89 | 8-3 (05%) | 4-3 (90%) | 5-5 (5%) | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 64 | 61 | 5 |
| 9 | eRdaZV, z.z. | 89 | 6-8 (05%) | 6-0 (85%) | 6-8 (05%) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 66 | giLas, GlRj | 86 | 1-2 (90%) | 5-6 (5%) | 6-6 (655%) | 6 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 64 | 68 | 5 |
| 80 | guhIj, ChQas | 86 | 6-6 (655%) | 5-8 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
| 4 | CliQV, qiQl | 2 | 6-8 (05%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
| 43 | vaDDajs, gRijdQR | 4 | 5-5 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5-5 (5%) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| ABaUh, oshBiRl | gXO - CIiZh's gRZasaIj | |||||||||||||||||
| 86 | PQUIj, gijaRl | gXO - CIiZh's gRZasaIj | ||||||||||||||||
| 0 | eaZhiQdsIj, ruRjUaj | gXO - CIiZh's gRZasaIj | ||||||||||||||||
| wIUil | 81-42 (12.3%) | 2-87 (89.1%) | 65-63 (96.3%) | 3 | 49 | 36 | 83 | 68 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 62 | 21 | 72 | |||
Terms:
Field Goals : 2PM-A (2 point Field Goal made-attempts) 3PM-A (3 point Field Goal made-attempts) FTM-A (free throws made-attempt)
Rebounds : OFF (Offensive) DEF (Defensive) TOT (total)
Fouls : CM (Committed) RV (received)
Blocks : FV (In Favor) AG (Against)
Other terms : MIN (minutes) AST (assists) ST (steals) TO (Turnovers) PTS (points) RNK (ranking)
