Quick Update Before Game 3
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April 24, 2009
PHILADELPHIA -- The Magic grabbed an essential Game 2 victory on Wednesday before departing for Philadelphia.
But don't get confused, they still see room for improvement.
Following their victory over the 76ers, Rashard Lewis was disappointed with the Magic's offensive performance. And before the Magic took the floor for Game 3, he offered the key to turning things around.
"Keep playing defense," the All-Star forward explained. "Defense is going win these games for us. As long as we play defense, we'll get into transition and get easy baskets."
Another component that could make things easier for the Magic on the offensive end is the superb play of rookie guard Courtney Lee.
If he continues to hit open shots, the 76ers will be forced to change their defensive scheme of bringing double-teams on Dwight Howard from the guard position.
Should that occur, Philadelphia will either have to leave single coverage on Howard or sag off Hedo Turkoglu and Lewis on the wings.
As Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy pointed out following the Magic’s shootaround on Friday, it's just a matter of picking your poison.
"You can't take away everything," Van Gundy said of Philadelphia’s defensive tactics. "For everything you take away, you're giving up something else."
It will be interesting to see which option the 76ers choose tonight.
