Dwight Howard has produced despite the turnovers. Rashard Lewis has kicked his shooting up a notch. And Hedo Turkoglu has done as much as he can with the massive burden he’s been forced to bear.
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But Orlando’s supporting cast backcourt has been underwhelming in the NBA finals, and they’ll need to change their ways if the Magic are going to hold off the surging Los Angeles Lakers.
Rafer Alston‘s streetball game hasn’t left the cul-de-sac. His shooting was so poor (3-for-17) that the Lakers left him unguarded in Game 2. Courtney Lee (4-for-13) and J.J. Redick (3-for-11) have been cold, too. But the red flags that dogged Alston’s career before his admirable stint filling in for injured Jameer Nelson have the greatest potential to detonate Orlando’s once-prized team chemistry.
Speaking of Nelson, his decent return after four months out with injury in Game 1 (6 points, 4 assists) wasn’t sustained for Game 2 (4 points, 1 assist). It’s clear he can’t give the Magic what he did in two regular-season wins over Los Angeles (27.5 ppg, 5.5 apg). It’s up to Nelson to find other ways.
Mickael Pietrus also needs to regroup. He’s a defensive specialist, but Orlando’s three-point production suffered the most when Pietrus fouled out with just two points and two rebounds in Game 2. Pietrus also ended a streak of nine straight playoff games scoring in double figures and 11 with at least one 3-pointer. Finding his range at Amway Arena and moving his feet is critical in Game 3.
