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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Yahoo! Contributor Network - Yahoo! Sports

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Yahoo! Contributor Network - Yahoo! Sports
Apr 4th 2012, 03:48

By Rolando Cruz, Yahoo! Contributor Network

Though the Detroit Pistons are the NBA's best improved team since February, they are still not a team that can normally hang with Orlando, even while playing at home. That is unless Orlando has three key players out with injuries, especially if those players are named Dwight Howard (back spasms), Ryan Anderson (ankle sprain) and Jameer Nelson (thigh injury).

So, with a good deal of their fire power out, how would the rest of the Orlando Magic lineup fare? The answer is, not bad, though in the end they would lose the game 95-102. Here then is how the rest of the team performed when called upon to replace, Orlando's big three.

Glen Davis (C-PF)

Rating: A+

In Howard's absence, it is Big Baby Glen Davis that has stepped up for the second game in a row. Coming off an 18 point, 16 rebound performance against Denver, Davis showed a bunch of nimble moves and power moves around the basket, to lead the Magic in scoring with a career high with 31 points. Big Baby was even effective from the foul line (8/10) and hit a 3-pointer as well. He also led Orlando with 10 rebounds and more impressive, he stayed on the floor for 40 minutes.

J.J. Redick (SG)

Rating: D+

Redick struggled all night long to get his shots off. In the end the former Duke star was a dismal 1 out 9 from the field and missed all four of the 3-point shots he took. Given 31 minutes of playing time, Redick's inability to step up was one big reason for the Magic's loss.

Earl Clark (C-PF)

Rating: C+

Clark almost made fans forget Superman tonight when he took off for a dunk from 10-12 feet out and made it look easy. Clark also shows he can connect from the outside, hitting an 18 foot jumper on his other basket of the night. Unfortunately he didn't help keep Detroit of the boards and the Piston's out rebounded Orlando 30-45.

Hedo Turkoglu (SF)

Rating: B-

Hedo sank two quick 3-pointers in the first quarter and scored 11 points in the first half. So it was disappointing to see one of Orlando's best shooters and passers end the game with only 16 points and 3 assists. In Jameers absence, Hedo should have shouldered a bit more of the ball distribution duties.

Chris Duhon (SG)

Rating: C+

The fact that Duhon didn't stink up the place and actually kept his turnovers down is in and of itself a vast improvement, since he has been less than an adequate backup to Nelson this season. More surprising, Chris helped out with 13 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. If he could keep it up, Orlando may yet be a force in the playoffs.

Daniel Orton (PF)

Rating: F

Orton's sixth NBA game can best be defined by the -12 (+/-) rating he earned in 8 minutes of playing time. He needs more playing time if he is going to learn.

Jason Richarson (SG)

Rating: C

Strictly a shooter, and adding little else to the team right now, Richardson missed on 4 out of 5 3-point tries. Having said that, 10 points in 23 minutes is not what you want to see from your starting shooting guard.

Quentin Richardson (SF)

Rating: B-

While he fared no better than Jason Richardson shooting wise, Quentin still helped on defense (2 steals) and on the boards (4 rebounds) and finished with a team high +7 (+/-) rating. Come playoff time, Quentin will show his value to a team whose defense typically begins and ends with Dwight Howard.

Ishmael Smith (PG)

Rating: C+

Smith is not that far from being able to replace Duhon as Orlando's backup point guard, though it won't be this season. Still, 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists is not a bad night's work for the third string point guard.

About this writer: A resident of Orlando, FL, the writer has been a fan of the Orlando Magic since their inaugural season in the NBA. The writer lists Scott Skiles and Hedo Turkoglu among his all-time favorite Magic playe rs.

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