04.14.09
The 2009 NBA season is nearly over, and there is nothing Magical about Orlando’s finish!
The only thing good coming out of these final days for the Magic is that everyone should be healthy when the playoffs start.
Building any momentum is out of the question.
The Magic have quit in the regular season. Center Dwight Howard rested Monday night, joining forwards Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu on the sideline. The two forwards sat out with minor injuries.
The Magic have not offered any refunds to paying customers, but they probably should.
The Magic will finish the regular season at home Wednesday night against Charlotte, but it’s unclear who might play. It’s buyer beware for anyone thinking of paying for a ticket.
Turkoglu (left ankle sprain) and Lewis (right knee tendonitis) could have played if necessary. So could have J.J. Redick (back spasms).
The Magic (58-23) will close with the second-best regular season in franchise history, trailing only the 1995-96 team that won 60 games and eventually lost in the conference final to the Chicago Bulls.
They also matched last season’s team for most road victories (27) in a season, a mark they failed to break as they limped through the final week of the regular season.
They will open the playoffs either Saturday or Sunday against the No. 6 seed, which will be either Chicago or Philadelphia.
