The Banged Up and Bruised Magic Still Holding Up | IXGAMES

The Orlando Magic played well in the 2008-2009 NBA season.  Even when their all-star point guard, Jameer Nelson, got injured in February, the team was able to make a strong push, making it to the playoffs.  The Magic showed their talent and resilience as they made it all the way to the NBA Finals without Nelson.  When Nelson finally recovered from his shoulder injury, he rejoined the lineup in the finals, but the Magic just couldn’t hack it, and they lost the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.  Now that the 2009-2010 season is underway, the Magic are expected to be a dominating force.  However, the team is already facing difficulties this early in the season.  Read on for more information about the Magic and a recap of their latest game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Magic troubles starting off the 2009-2010 season Now more than 10 games into the 2009-2010 season, the Magic have had to face a number of difficulties that have forced the team to, once again, show what they are made of.  The team had to play their first ten games of the season without their star forward Rashard Lewis.  Lewis was suspended by the NBA because he tested positive for an elevated testosterone level, which is an indicator of the use of prohibited substances.  Other players, including Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus, Brandon Bass, and Ryan Anderson, have missed games because of injuries.  Marcin Gortat, the Magic’s backup center, is also currently out of the lineup as he battles with the flu.  One of the biggest blows to the team this season, however, is the injury to Jameer Nelson.  Once again, the Magic will have to do without their starting point guard, who suffered a knee injury that will require surgery.  Although Lewis, Carter, Pietrus, Bass, and Anderson are back in the lineup, you can bet that the team will be missing the 13.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steal that Nelson has been averaging for the season. Recap of the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic The Thunder had a record of 6-5, while the Magic stood at 8-3 for the season.  With both teams performing well, the game was bound to be an exciting one, but Rashard Lewis and the Magic stole the show.  The Magic started the game strong, outscoring the Thunder in each of the first three quarters.  In the first quarter, Orlando built an 11-point lead to end the quarter at 28-17.  The Magic continued their strong performance in the second quarter, bringing their lead up to 61-43 to end the half.  In the third quarter the Magic stepped up their defense, holding the Thunder down to only 15 points in the quarter, while scoring 27 of their own to bring the score to 88-58.  The Thunder tried to cut into the lead in the fourth, but they couldn’t hack it and the Magic went on to a 108-94 victory.  Rashard Lewis was the man of the night, recording 17 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals for a near-triple-double performance.