- Hedo Turkoglu, sidelined for the past few weeks with a facial fracture, is expected to play on Thursday against the Memphis Grizzlies. There’s a chance Turkoglu could come back and play against the Charlotte Bobcats in tonight’s game.
- The Orlando Magic, playing the Bobcats (the worst team in the NBA this season and perhaps ever), are hoping to clinch the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference with a win.
- Filling in for Dwight Howard, Glen Davis has thrived at center. Which means that he’s probably better served playing at that position rather than at power forward.
- Despite a down year, Dwight Howard is still the best defensive center in the league according to Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus. He explains why: “I suspect there’s a confirmation bias at play in looking for poor defense from Howard to go with the storyline about his indifferent play during a chaotic season. I’m not convinced the objective evidence backs that up.”
- And without Dwight, the Magic’s defense has imploded.
- Bethlehem Shoals of CourtVision: “Some may see his back injury as karma. I see it as a welcome relief and, for Howard, a reprieve. At least this way, he can’t do any more damage to himself.”
- The Indiana Pacers seem more than content to play Orlando in the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs if the current seeding holds (and it should).
- Mark Heisler of SheridanHoops.com on the Magic: “Just be glad you’re not them: Just lost 10 of 14 as Howard, fuming at organization again, schedules back surgery—so even if they realize they have to trade him, they may not be able to.”
- Orlando gets a D+ from Britt Robson of Sports Illustrated for their regular season grade. Why? Blame it on Dwight’s never-ending soap opera.
Apr 25