The Wolves lost needed scorer Rashad McCants because of a sprained
ankle 11 minutes into the game, never to return on a night when his
team once again built a big, early lead it couldn’t keep and once again
was overwhelmed by the free-throw discrepancy.
The Wolves led 13-4 after four minutes, trailed by as many as 16 points
early in the fourth quarter and scratched within a basket with six
minutes remaining before veteran Orlando shooter Rashard Lewis finished
off what blossoming, young teammate Dwight Howard had started.
From the Associated Press:
McCants, the Wolves’ leading scorer this year with an average of 18
points, was hurt when he drove the baseline and was tangled up with two
Magic players under the basket.
After shootaround, head coach Randy Wittman told us he thought Theo
Ratliff would play. Well, he’s not playing, due to the flu.
Unfortunate, too, because Dwight Howard is going to be tough to deal
with tonight for Jefferson (starting at the five), Gomes (starting at
the four) and Craig Smith off the bench. So, the starters are: Telfair,
McCants, Greg Buckner, Gomes and Jefferson.
Ratliff would play. Well, he’s not playing, due to the flu.
Unfortunate, too, because Dwight Howard is going to be tough to deal
with tonight for Jefferson (starting at the five), Gomes (starting at
the four) and Craig Smith off the bench. So, the starters are: Telfair,
McCants, Greg Buckner, Gomes and Jefferson.
The Wolves’ Al Jefferson had a difficult time
guarding Howard. At one point in the second quarter, Jefferson
purposely fouled Howard about six feet from the basket before Howard
even had a clear shot. Then Jefferson tried to draw a charge against
Howard by flopping, but that didn’t work.
guarding Howard. At one point in the second quarter, Jefferson
purposely fouled Howard about six feet from the basket before Howard
even had a clear shot. Then Jefferson tried to draw a charge against
Howard by flopping, but that didn’t work.
Jefferson clearly was overwhelmed by Howard, a bigger and more physical center. It was a difficult test.
Also from Alonzo:
Center Al Jefferson scored 12 of his 25 points in
the fourth quarter Tuesday night in the Wolves’ 111-103 loss to
Orlando. He said he was thrown off because Orlando didn’t double-team
him much compared with opponents in the first two games.
the fourth quarter Tuesday night in the Wolves’ 111-103 loss to
Orlando. He said he was thrown off because Orlando didn’t double-team
him much compared with opponents in the first two games.
Another thing I feel the need to mention is the play of team scapegoat Marko Jaric. The stats look nice with 10 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in the game. Certainly, this is the best game from Jaric in awhile, but I want to give him credit for a different reason. On two occasions in the first half, Jaric was able to find rookie Corey Brewer for three-pointers. Hitting those shots early helped to build Brewer’s confidence, although his stats did not run away very much after hitting those shots.
You can also read Litel’s game blog at Hoopsworld.