Without Howard, opponents shooting over 50 percent
Statistics show just how badly the Orlando Magic’s defense has struggled without Dwight Howard.
The Magic limited opponents to 43.8 percent shooting in the 54 games Howard played this season.
But the Magic have allowed opponents to shoot 50.5 percent in the10 games without their All-star center.
Just how bad is that relative to the rest of the league? Consider this: The Sacramento Kings entered Monday with the worst field-goal percentage defense in the NBA, but they have allowed opponents to shoot “just” 47.6 percent.
“I don’t know what the answer is,” coach Stan Van Gundysaid after the Magic lost to the Denvernuggets101-74 Sunday night. “But we simply can’t guard anyone.”
Team officials, including Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith, have said their players have beenjust a split second late on their defensive rotations. And they cannot afford to be late on those rotations because Howard isn’t around to clean up their mistakes with his shot-blocking ability and intimidating presence.
Opponentshaveshot at least 50.0 percent in eight of the10 games without Howard in the Magic lineup. Howcan the team correct that? Jameer Nelson was posed that question after Sunday’s loss, in which the Nuggets shot 56.4 percent.
“I don’t know,” Nelson said. “I don’t know. We all say the same thing, but we all have to just figure it out and come up witha solution becausewecan’twinin the playoffs giving up 56 percent to teams.”
Orton tweets
Daniel Orton was rough on himself for his play against Denver and Utah on Saturday — so muchso that he sent out a message over Twitter on Sunday night in which he apologized for his performances.
Hewrote: “Gottaapologize to the fans andmyteammates. Ive failed in everything that was asked of me the past two games Imextremely sorry. Love yall.”
Orton sent out that message during the team’s long bus ride from the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver to Denver International Airport. His teammates saw the tweet as they fiddled around with their ipads and cell phones.
Ryananderson tweeted: “Im sitting right behind you on the bus to the airport right now and i think ur a beast bro... Especially being put into a situation like this and going from not playing to big minutes. Gotta give my guy some love! I guessiprobablycouldhavejust told youthis in person... Your literally a foot away right now.” Quentin Richardson also chimed in. Hetweeted:“holdyaheadupyoungfella. It’s all alearning experience. We’re here wit u and support u regardless!! U already kno!!”
Layups
Playoff picture
Nelson optimistic
Nelsonsufferedabruiseonhisleftcalfearlyinthegamein Denver and did not return. But Nelson did not sound concerned that the injury will have a lingering effect.
“No timetable on it,” Nelson said. “We’ll just take it day by day and continue to treat it and try to get back out there as soon as possible.”
Themagic’s magic numberto secure the No. 6 seed in the East and face the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs is one.
A victory in their home game Wednesday against the awful Charlotte Bobcats or a win Thursday at Memphis would do the trick.
The Magic also would get the sixth seed if the New York Knicks lose at homewednesday to the Los Angeles Clippers or lose on the road Thursday to the Bobcats.
Backupforwardearlclarkhasmissedthe last twogames because of a sore left knee, but heis expected backbefore the playoffs begin and could play as early as Wednesday.
The Magic did not practice on Monday because they had just completed a back-to-back.