My Player (Season 3) Game #35 - Hapshoops32's Dynasty

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My Player (Season 3) Game #35 Stuck

Posted on March 2, 2011 at 03:26 AM.

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ORLANDO CLIPS HAWKS, HAPPEL MAKES HISTORY

Happel used all kinds of methods to score, including a rebound tip-in and a steal leading to an easy dunk.

Atlanta, GA (AP) - It was a night for revenge - and history - as the Magic were able to pick up a 97-83 victory on the road against the Hawks. Orlando had lost both its previous games against its division foe earlier this season. Tonight, the Magic were finally able to get over the hump, though Atlanta didn't make it easy. The Hawks made 2 big runs against Orlando, 15-2 in the third quarter to cut the deficit from 23 down to 9 and 11-2 to trim the margin down to 6 in the fourth quarter. But, the Magic had an answer, in both cases going on mini-runs of their own to get the lead back up to double digits.

Happel made sure his 5,000th point was memorable, thanks to a break away reverse dunk

Meantime, it was a historic night for Orlando forward Brian Happel, as he reached the 5,000 point plateau for his career. And, he did it in style. Happel reached the "magic" milestone on a break away, reverse dunk with 8:50 to go in the third quarter. "Those things are for you guys to keep track of," said Happel after the game, "Sure, it's a nice accomplishment. But, it wouldn't have meant a whole lot if we had blown that big lead and lost. I didn't play well, there's plenty of room for improvement." Happel now sits at 9th all time in team history with 5,010 points for his young career. As if that wasn't enough, Happel was also a monster on the boards, grabbing 21 rebounds. His defense was also superb, as he collected 3 steals.

Orlando Magic Career Points
Player	Points
1. Dwight Howard	11,337
2. Nick Anderson	10,650
3. Tracy McGrady	8,298
4. Shaquille O'Neal	8,019
5. Anfernee Hardaway	7,018
6. Dennis Scott	6,603
7. Hedo Turkoglu	5,968
8. Darrell Armstrong	5,898
9. BRIAN HAPPEL	5,010
10. Scott Skiles	4,966

With the exception of Gilbert Arenas, the Magic starters got the job done offensively all night long. Andray Blatche chipped in with 24 points on 11-19 shooting. Dwight Howard was his normal, beastly self, pouring in 14 points and grabbing 15 boards. Stepehn Jackson was also solid, putting down 13 points and collecting 8 rebounds. Arenas struggled, shooting just 1-7 from the field. However, he did have a team-high 6 assists.

Happel attacked the Hawks from the air, throwing down spectacular dunk after spectacular dunk.

The Hawks offense was generally lacking. Atlanta had 4 players score in double-figures, but the two high scorers were Josh Smith and Joe Johnson with 14 points apiece. Johnson also found his teammates good shots, collecting 11 assists. Jamal Crawford did not handle the ball well, turning it over 4 times. And, Al Horford had a disappointing night on the blocks, scoring just 8 points and picking up just 6 rebounds.

NBA Standings - Updated: Jan 8, 2013
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
1. ORLANDO MAGIC	29	6	.829	--	13-4	16-2	5-4	21-4
2. Miami Heat	28	10	.737	2.5	14-5	14-5	4-3	17-6
3. ATLANTA HAWKS	23	11	.676	5.5	12-6	11-5	5-2	16-6
4. Toronto Raptors	22	14	.611	7.5	14-4	8-10	3-4	11-11
5. Chicago Bulls	21	14	.600	8.0	11-5	10-9	2-3	10-8
6. Washington Wizards	18	20	.474	12.5	13-7	5-13	5-3	12-12
7. Boston Celtics	17	19	.472	12.5	11-6	6-13	8-2	13-11
7. Cleveland Cavaliers	17	19	.472	12.5	12-5	5-14	3-4	9-16
9. Detroit Pistons	16	18	.471	12.5	8-10	8-8	4-2	9-12
10. New York Knicks	16	21	.432	14.0	11-6	5-15	1-5	8-16
11. Milwaukee Bucks	15	21	.417	14.5	10-9	5-12	2-4	8-12
11. New Jersey Nets	15	21	.417	14.5	8-10	7-11	5-5	13-14
11. Indiana Pacers	15	21	.417	14.5	10-7	5-14	3-1	8-11
14. Philadelphia 76ers	13	24	.351	17.0	7-9	6-15	3-4	9-16
15. Charlotte Bobcats	13	26	.333	18.0	9-9	4-17	0-7	8-17

Shooting wasn't as dramatic a difference as it usually is for Orlando. The Magic shot just 47%, which most teams will certainly take. But for Orlando, that's actually an off night these days. Meantime, the Hawks connected on just 39% of their shots. Turnovers played a factor as well. Orlando was a little more sloppy, giving the ball away 13 times, to Atlanta's 11. The one bright spot for the Hawks: bench points. Atlanta's bench outscored the Magic by a 23-6 margin. However, rebounding was a bigger story, especially on the offensive end. Orlando was able to get a ton of second chance opportunities, thanks to 13 rebounds on the offensive glass. The Hawks, by comparison, only had 2.

Teams still haven't learned how deadly Happel is from behind the arc, here he nails a wide open look

Orlando has now won 9 games in a row, and will be looking for number 10 in a rematch of the NBA Finals at home against the Los Angeles Lakers. L.A. may be struggling so far at juts 15-18 on the year, but all eyes will be on the matchup between arguably the game's two best players in Kobe Bryant and Brian Happel.

Marquee Matchup
Player		Stats
	Kobe Bryant	25.6 PPG, 2.1 SPG, 43.3% FG
	BRIAN HAPPEL	38.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 69.2% FG

Happel is certainly leading Bryant in most offensive and defensive categories. However, Bryant's leadership and uncanny ability to will his team to victories may give his Lakers the advantage they need. Friday night's matchup at the Amway Center should be a good one.

Jan 8, 2013 - ORL at ATL
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Orlando Magic (29-6)	28	25	20	24	97
Atlanta Hawks (23-11)	21	16	25	21	83

Orlando Magic
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Gilbert Arenas	30	1-7	0-2	0-0	1	6	3	0	1	2
Stephen Jackson	37	6-13	1-3	0-0	8	4	2	0	2	13
Brian Happel	46	17-30	1-2	3-4	21	4	3	0	2	38
Andray Blatche	34	11-19	0-0	2-2	3	1	3	1	0	24
Dwight Howard	37	6-18	0-1	2-2	15	2	0	1	0	14
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
DeJuan Blair	15	1-1	0-0	0-0	5	0	0	0	1	2
Marcin Gortat	12	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	3	1	0
John Salmons	7	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	2
Mack Bledsoe	7	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Cory Coleman	6	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	2	0	0	3	2
Wayne Washington	13	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	2	0	0	2	0
Ryan Anderson	2	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		44-92	2-8	7-8	56	21	11	5	13	97

Atlanta Hawks
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J. Johnson	39	6-20	1-7	1-2	3	11	2	0	3	14
Ja. Crawford	25	4-14	2-5	2-2	2	1	1	0	4	12
M. Williams	36	5-6	1-2	1-1	7	0	1	2	1	12
J. Smith	38	6-10	0-0	2-2	3	2	2	3	0	14
A. Horford	39	3-10	0-1	2-2	6	0	0	1	0	8
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Z. Pachulia	19	2-4	0-0	0-0	5	0	1	1	1	4
J. Teague	17	2-6	0-1	2-2	0	5	1	0	0	6
Jo. Crawford	15	4-8	0-1	1-2	2	2	0	0	0	9
N. Ferguson	10	0-1	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	2	0
B. Dailey	7	1-4	0-1	2-2	2	1	1	0	0	4
S. Stribling	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P. Ryan (injured)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		33-83	4-18	13-15	31	22	9	7	11	83