ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -First a sweep. Now some rest.
Dusting aside Charlotte has given the Orlando Magic some significant down time before their second-round series. They’ll still have plenty to fix when they return to practice Thursday, starting with getting Dwight Howard out of his foul-trouble funk.
They at least know one thing is certain.
“We’re going to be well rested,” Howard said, laughing. “Well, I’m going to be well rested.”
Orlando will face the winner of the Atlanta-Milwaukee series no earlier than Sunday. That series is tied two games apiece, and if it goes seven games, the Magic won’t begin the second round until next Tuesday – eight days between games.
A much bigger concern is their All-Star center finding his playoff poise.
games, played only 105 minutes and committed 22 fouls in four games.
Howard’s hacking became so prevalent against the Bobcats that teammates even teased him with a new nickname. No longer Superman, they simply referred to him as “Foul on You.”
The Magic might not find that so funny if the trend continues.
“It’s something I’ve never been through,” Howard said. “I never have been in a situation where I’ve had to sit out or things may not go my way.
“I think all this happens for a reason. So I am mad when it happens. But I go back home and I sit down and think about it, maybe (backup center) Marcin (Gortat) and those other guys need a chance to step up and see what playoff basketball is like.”
That was perhaps the only positive twist with Howard’s foul trouble.
The Magic flexed their playoff muscles with the NBA’s two-time defensive player of the year sidelined. Jameer Nelson – who missed the first three rounds last season recovering from right shoulder surgery, only to play poorly in his return in the NBA finals – showed he can be a force when healthy, and their bench was deep and dependable when it counted most.
Even Vince Carter ended his 0-for-15 skid from 3-point range in the finale, beginning to break out of his slump that made him almost a complete non-factor in the first three games. Carter had 21 points in the clincher.
the sweep. “We want to come out here and win them as quickly as possible and get some rest, relax, get the little bumps and bruises taken care of and get ready for round two.”
A team that has won 10 straight games usually wouldn’t want such a long layoff, although the Magic might be the exception. Coach Stan Van Gundy gave players a rare two straight days off before their next practice Thursday, and players couldn’t have been happier.
Orlando also wouldn’t mind if the Atlanta-Milwaukee series went the distance.
“That would be nice,” Magic forward Matt Barnes said. “That’s more rest for us and they’re going to be tired. But we’re really ready to go. We’re hitting stride at the right time and we’re ready to win it.”
The time off should also give Howard some time to cool off.
Van Gundy will continue to show Howard video of his frustration elbows and shoves that put Orlando’s big man in chronic foul trouble. The mental breakdowns are something the Magic can’t afford in the second round, needing their dominant center for every minute possible.
Orlando was 3-1 against Atlanta, and 3-0 and Milwaukee this season. Howard was perhaps the biggest reason why, creating all kinds of matchup problems in those meetings.
With the Charlotte series is over, Howard only hopes his foul woes are too.
he season to the playoffs is very good. Hopefully we can continue to get better and stay humble,” Howard said. “I know my time will come.”
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