Dwight's Dangerous Elbows
The Sixers and Magic played again in a critical game Wednesday night at the Amway Arena. The game would go the Magic's way again. The arena was packed! You could definitely tell this was a playoff game with implications. Plus, it seemed everyone had a pair of thunder-sticks! So there was definitely some noise during the game. This was a good game to go to. The Magic held the lead through out the game and they played well, especially Howard.Dwight had 24 points and 24 rebounds in this game! It was dominating performance. Philly couldn't get anything off the glass. Dwight was certainly on his game. He just out hustled and out muscled whoever Philly had on him. Whether it was Dalembert or Theo Ratliff, they paid rent to be in the paint because Howard owned it. One of Howard's highlights in the game came in the 3rd quarter. Hedo had the ball outside of the 3pt line. Howard was just moving without the ball around the paint. All of a sudden, Hedo tossed an alley-oop toward the hoop and Dwight reverse-slammed it in! Philly was just caught looking. This play got the whole arena into a thunder-stick pounding frenzy!
Although Dwight had a huge game, his physical play has cost his team (either that or inconsistent officiating from the league). First, Howard inadvertently came down on starting guard Courtney Lee's face with his elbow. The Magic's team doctor said that Lee had fractured his sinus. His status for the rest of the playoffs is uncertain. Secondly, Howard threw a not-so-inadvertent elbow to Philly center Dalembert's head. The league reviewed this play and Howard has been suspended for Game 6 Thursday night.
Can the Gortat pick up the slack?
