(Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic will try to take advantage of a Phoenix Suns team fresh off a rout in Miami when the two clubs collide tonight at Amway Center.
Suns Vs. Magic: Pheonix Tries To Bounce Back After Blowout In Miami
Orlando has won two in a row and six of its last eight games, including Monday's 89-72 victory versus the Memphis Grizzlies. Vince Carter scored 19 points and Dwight Howard added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Magic, who shot 43.8 percent from the floor and had a 47-39 advantage on the glass.
Jameer Nelson chipped in 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists, as the Magic took off after a 20-12 first-quarter lead. Orlando forced 18 turnovers in the game and pushed its home record to 5-2.
"I know we were still pretty ugly offensively tonight and we've got a long way to go there. I don't really understand why, but we do," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said postgame. "But we did exactly what we had talked about today; we fought hard the entire game against an outstanding offensive team. We held them 30 points below their average and in the thirties (percentage)."
On the injury front for Orlando, Nelson (ankle), guard Michael Pietrus (leg) and guard Quentin Richardson (illness) are probable for tonight. Guards J.J. Redick (back) and Jason Williams (foot) are listed as questionable.
Phoenix is coming off Wednesday's 123-96 blowout at the hands of the star- studded Heat, as Chris Bosh finished with a season-high 35 points and LeBron James added 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to spoil the Suns' opener of a four-game road trip.
Steve Nash shook off a groin injury to finish with a team-high 17 points in a season-low 29:19. He also dished out just two assists, while Grant Hill and Channing Frye netted 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the Suns. Nash may not play in Orlando and said last night he didn't feel 100 percent.
“I kind of took a little risk,” said Nash, who didn’t have an assist in the first half for the first time since 2003 as a member of Dallas. “It didn’t feel great, but I don’t think I did serious damage to it.”
The Suns will also visit Charlotte and Houston on the trek and are 3-3 away from the desert this season.
Phoenix and Orlando have split the last two home-and-home series, but the Suns have won 12 of the previous 16 meetings between the teams. The Magic have won the past two matchups in central Florida.
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