Magic (17-5) vs. Suns (15-7)
Time/TV: 10:30 p.m./ESPN, FSFlorida
Key Matchup: Jason Williams (7.5 PPG, 4.5 APG) vs. Steve Nash (17.5 PPG, 11.0 APG)
–Rashard Lewis tells The Orlando Sentinel’s Brian Schmitz that he was not being defiant when he told Stan Van Gundy he did not want to go into the game during the second quarter last night in Utah. Lewis picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and Van Gundy was ready to put him back into the game midway through the second. Lewis told his coach he did not want to go in, because he feared he would pick up his third foul and because Ryan Anderson was playing so well. Van Gundy was frustrated and pointed some fingers at Lewis after the game. But he did tell the press Lewis was probably being “unselfish.”
–Dwight Howard hopes his good friend Nate Robinson can get back into the Knicks rotation after Mike D’Antoni benched him for apparently fraternizing with his opponents before the game too much. Van Gundy also showed his admiration for Jerry Sloan’s longevity with the Jazz.
-TMZ is back on the sports scene, reporting that Howard is suing his son’s mother, Royce Reed. Howard told The Orlando Sentinel that he did not file a suit against her and that he saw his son in Atlanta during Thanksgiving.
-On the one-year anniversary of their trade, Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley are working out in Phoenix writes Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
–Robin Lopez showed remorse Thursday after shattering the door into the practice facility after losing a three-on-three game in practice Wednesday.
-There is a perception that Howard is not playing well this year, but as Zach found out Howard is not playing as bad as it might seem.
-You’re too lazy to scroll down, I know I would be. So the Jazz flipped the script on the Magic last night.
-Ben Q Rock of 3rd Quarter Collapse further elaborates on the total lack of effort the Magic showed last night.
–Amare Stoudemire is going viral to make the all star team. He currently leads the way for Western Conference centers.
-The good news: PhoenixStan of Bright Side of the Sun does not think the Magic’s offense moves the ball well — which is only partially true. The bad news: most of the article is written like this.
-Ben York of Deep Purple is confused about the outrage over Lopez’s “incident” earlier this week. Apparently his fits of rage are the normal mutterings of a basketball player at any level being upset with himself.
-The Suns are getting set for the seventh home game in 22 games this season. Treasure those white jerseys while you can.
-John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com writes his recap about last night’s game. Surprised he found much good past the first quarter.
-Stefan Swiat of Suns.com gives the road weary Suns more credit for their record than you might for other 15-7 teams.
