(Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic made the most noise before the NBA trade
deadline and will get back to work on the court Friday night against the
Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.
Orlando shipped guards J.J. Redick, Ish Smith and big man Gustavo Ayon to the
Milwaukee Bucks for Beno Udrih, Doron Lamb and Tobias Harris, then acquired
forward Hakim Warrick from the Charlotte Bobcats for center Josh McRoberts.
"This is a pressure business. It is what it is and we feel that pressure and
embrace that pressure, but it's something you have to look at from the big
picture to get perspective," Magic GM Rob Hennigan said. "You understand that
there are decisions that you make because you believe in the process. We
believe in what we're doing and the way that we make decisions and the
research that we do. Its our hope that our fans believe in that with us."
It is unknown if any of the new players will be available Friday.
The Magic have been atrocious all season as evidenced by a 15-39 record. They
have dropped three straight since ending a 12-game slide with a win versus
Portland on Feb. 10, and recently sustained a 111-96 setback at Dallas on
Wednesday. Arron Afflalo and Maurice Harkless paced the Magic with 21 and 20
points, respectively, while Nikola Vucevic totaled 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Orlando has lost nine straight road games and is 6-20 as the guest. Guard
Jameer Nelson (knee) is expected to miss Friday's game.
The Grizzlies look to extend their winning streak to six games Friday night
and posted an 88-82 win over former mate Rudy Gay and the Toronto Raptors
Wednesday. Gay was shipped to the Raptors almost a month ago and had 13 points
against his former employer.
"They double-teamed (Gay) right from the beginning," Raptors coach Dwane Casey
said. "I felt sorry for him because they wouldn't allow him to get going."
Zach Randolph recorded a double-double with 17 points and 18 rebounds for
Memphis. Mike Conley chipped in 17 points, six rebounds and six assists in the
victory. The Grizzlies are second in the NBA in opponents scoring (90.1) and
17-0 when scoring 100-plus points.
The Grizzlies, who are 21-8 at home and have won three in a row at FedEx
Forum, have held 45 of their 53 opponents under 100 points. The Grizzlies have
a tough road ahead after Friday's game and will play Brooklyn, Dallas and
Miami on the upcoming slate.
Memphis made a move before Thursday's trade deadline, landing center Dexter
Pittman, a 2013 second-round draft pick and cash considerations from the Heat
for the rights to center Ricky Sanchez. Sanchez is currently playing in
Argentina and was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2005.
Memphis and Orlando are meeting for the first time since the Grizzlies
recorded an 88-76 victory last April 26. The home team has won seven in a row
in this series, while Orlando is winless in four straight and nine of 10 trips
to the Volunteer State.
The Sports Network