The Orlando Magic will take on the Utah Jazz tonight at 10:30. Read my preview here.
John Denton says that the Magic are motivated by a lack of respect.
In some ways, the Magic have garnered a measure of respect this season by earning their way onto the national television stage 24 times – the most in the history of the franchise. Two of those games come the next two nights – Thursday against Utah on TNT and Friday in Phoenix on ESPN.
“We’re getting some recognition now, but we have to keep playing because now that people are kind of recognizing us as an elite team we have to know that everybody is going to give us their best shot,’’ Magic forward Rashard Lewis said. “Teams and fans across the NBA are starting to notice that we are an elite team and we have to be ready to take those punches that they are going to give us.’’
The Magic have proven themselves to be elite in almost every way of late. At 17-4, they have equaled the franchise’s best 21-game start ever and with a win Thursday against Utah they can go where no Magic team ever has (as in 18-4). The eight straight road wins are the most ever in any one season and they are on pace to shatter the team mark of 27 road victories set each of the past two seasons.
Source:howardthedunk.com/
