Here it is, your Orlando Magic matchup thread.

Who are these Mouseketeers from Disney World?

Are their ambitions to overthrow the Pistons no more than a Magic Mountain they cannot climb?

Detroit vs. Orlando
 

Game 1 - Sat  April 21  Orlando at Detroit    7:00PM   7:00PM        ESPN

Game 2 - Mon  April 23  Orlando at Detroit    7:00PM   7:00PM        TNT

Game 3 - Thu  April 26  Detroit at Orlando    8:00PM   8:00PM        TNT

Game 4 - Sat  April 28  Detroit at Orlando    3:00PM   3:00PM        TNT

Game 5 * Tue  May 1     Orlando at Detroit    TBD    TBD        TBD

Game 6 * Thu  May 3     Detroit at Orlando    TBD    TBD        TBD

Game 7 * Sat  May 5     Orlando at Detroit    TBD     TBD        TNT

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To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

If the Pistons put in adequate effort this should be over quickly. However, since when the Pistons took the easy route? Anyway, I say in the tradition of the 1st round - Pistons in 5.

It could be that Darko won't be available at least in the beginning of the series

ESPN.com - NBA - Magic's Milicic day-to-day with sprained right foot

Who cares about Darko? Since when has he become a game changer? It won't matter if Pistons put in effort as they say they would in playoffs.

Darko matters to them, but you're right, they can't beat us even with him.

Just for the record though, he is their 2nd highest rebounder and shot blocker and their 6th highest scorer.

It is basically how the Pistons would suffer if we lost someone like Dyess.

Similarly, they struggled when Battie was out, just because they only have 3 guys that can even pass as PF/centers... Howard, Milicic, and Battie.

The Pistons have Webber, Sheed, Davis, Nazr, and Dyess... and dare I say JMax and Amir.


On to my strategy to beat the Magic...
1) Don't let Dwight get any alley oop dunks. Watch him at all times when he is on the weak side. Don't sag off of him to help.
2) When Dwight Howard gets the ball in the paint, foul him immediately and as hard as possible. He will hit 50% FT's guaranteed. Basically, treat him like his name is Shaq. Put Dale Davis on him for 50% of the time.
3) Box out Ariza.
4) Be ready to run off of turnovers. I've watched these guys enough this year and they were born to turn the ball over. This is the way to get baskets without having Dwight Howard intimidating the shots.
5) Chauncey needs to abuse their guards on offense. Establish the 3-ball and post them up. They are tiny.
5) Arroyo wants to shoot the free throw line jumper. He has been looking for it and it has been going in. He is no longer a pass first point guard. Take the shot away from him and he will force it.

Should be fun.

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"I’ll just say this: We’re not talking to teams about their second- or third-best players." Joe Dumars talking about his plan to get other teams' 4th best players.

You know what worries me though is that in the spirit of this season Pistons would lose 3 straight to Magic to make it "more interesting" as they have done the whole season. I sure hope their talk about the playoffs is right and that is all they need to get going 110%.

I was all set for the Darko returns wrath series. He just doesn't want to play Det. My foot booboo, waaaaaa.

detroit has the best assist/turnover ratio in the leauge. orlando has not only the fewest assists in the league, but the most turnovers.

come playoff time, that's huge. i don't see this team giving orlando a game unless bill davidson wants extra $ at the palace. not to jinx it or anything... ;D

Not very likely that they will lose 3 straight to anyone in the playoffs this year. They are just too good a road team 27-14 to lose 3 straight to anyone. I will even be willing to wager my AJ Groupie button on it. LOL

I thought this was kind of funny.

He has saying that back in the 90's when we used to get bounced in the 1st round. His famous pressure is on them montra never worked back then.

8th is enough for Magic - Orlando Sentinel : Top Sports 8th is enough for Magic - Orlando Sentinel : Top Sports

Looks like they were hoping for the Cavs but are making the best of it.

Here is a writers blog

DEE-TROIT BASKET-BALL!
That's what they have to listen to for the first two playoff games at The Palace, which will be anything but. It will be a house of horrors. Count on it.
Oh, the Pistons won't sweep the Magic.
That's not the Pistons way.
The Pistons haven't swept a playoff opponent in any round the past six seasons.
They just whip you and send you home when the need arises.
Orlando Sentinel - Magic deserve fate if it's Detroit by