
Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
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Nikola Vucevic 9-13 FG | 2-3 FT | 1 STL | 13 REB | 20 PTS | -1 Not his usual 20-20 game against this Heat team, but Vucevic did manage to score 20 points and grab 10 rebounds before the fourth quarter. He looked really comfortable working against the undersized Udonis Haslem in the post, but the Birdman snuffed out a lazy offensive rebound putback near the end of the second quarter. It was a solid game for Vucevic, but against inferior competition. |
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Tobias Harris 7-16 FG | 5-11 FT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 19 PTS | -8 On defense, Harris needs to make sure he’s not getting caught in the paint too often because it meant open 3s for Miami. He was his usual slashing self, able to get a good look in the lane a handful of times, but his defense was lackadaisical and he almost fouled out. His 5-for-11 performance rom the line would be worse if the whole team hadn’t been so bad. |
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Beno Udrih 5-8 FG | 2-4 FT | 3 REB | 14 AST | 13 PTS | -12 Udrih was part of the reason the Magic had 10 first half turnovers. And he got caught watching the ball a couple times defensively, with Mike Miller knocking down open 3s in the corners. He also struggled to guard Wade, but that’s to be expected. He shot the ball decently enough, but was primarily concerned with dishing the ball to his teammates. |
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Andrew Nicholson 6-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 12 PTS | -10 Nicholson only played 10 minutes, but during that brief spurt, he was 6-for-8 from the field. You got to love his hook shot, which he’s equally adept at making with both hands, but most of his buckets came during garbage time. He must’ve pissed head coach Jacque Vaughn off or something to only get 10 minutes of playing time, so that’s a demerit. |
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Miami Heat
Dwyane Wade shook some of the rust off that accrued during his sabbatical (to rest a sore right knee) and the Heat controlled this game from the outset. They even held Vucevic — their nemesis on the boards — in check. Wade looked explosive with the time off, and had 21 points and 10 dimes. Mike Miller chipped in with 21 by going 6-for-9 from deep. |
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Apr 15
Rob Hennigan and trust
Commentary
by Nate Drexler
at 11:37 amPhoto by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images
Don’t look now, but the grumbling and moaning over front office moves have ceased in Orlando, at least temporarily. Even throughout a laughable, disastrous season for the Magic, fans have generally voiced optimism, most aptly regarding the young pieces on the roster.
This is a new look for Orlando, especially considering the recent history of less-than-desirable personnel decisions by previous regimes. The bottom line right now is that the Magic fanbase has no reason whatsoever to distrust general manager Rob Hennigan, which is worth its weight in gold as Orlando enters the first of what will probably be several rebuilding drafts.
There is no question that at least part of the excitement over the budding talent in Orlando is based on the lack of star power to fuel the fire. Because of the quasi-pathetic effect this season has had on Magic fans, a collective voice is trying to make lemonade out of lemons. Maybe that is what makes Orlando a great basketball town.
Or maybe the silver lining — in the form of five very promising players — is truly a testament to Hennigan’s eye for talent. It is difficult to judge these things in small sample sizes, but we’re no longer talking about one strategic move that brought in one value player. Hennigan is responsible for Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, Andrew Nicholson, Kyle O’Quinn, and Tobias Harris.
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Tags: Andrew Nicholson, Dwight Howard, J.J. Redick, Kyle O'Quinn, Maurice Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, Philadelphia 76ers, Rob Hennigan, Tobias Harris
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