Updates
Wed, Apr 29th 2009, 09:57
J.J. IN PROMINENT ROLE AS MAGIC WIN KEY GAME 5
J.J. Redick saw his most extensive playing time of the postseason and scored six points and handed out two assists in the Orlando Magic’s 91-78 Game 5 defeat of Philadelphia Tuesday night. J.J. played almost 30 minutes in relief of rookie shooting guard Courtney Lee, who was injured when he was hit by an accidental elbow from Dwight Howard in the first quarter. Lee underwent a C-T scan after the game and was kept in the hospital overnight for observation.
The Magic offense thrived with J.J. in the lineup over the final three quarters. J.J. got the nod to start the second half, and he played well throughout by doing a little bit of everything. J.J. hit a 3-pointer, buried three free throws and twice got into the lane and passed out for baskets. Staying in attack mode and seeking out shots is a must, J.J. said.
``I’ve got to be aggressive. They’ve played off Courtney and they’re really not guarding the (shooting) guards and the point guards and focusing on our three main guys,’’ J.J. said.
``So our guards have to be aggressive and take the shots that they are giving us.’’
J.J. will most likely be in the starting lineup come Thursday when the Magic look to close out the Sixers in the best-of-seven series. Orlando leads 3-2, but knows a Game 6 victory will be difficult to come by.
``We know it’s going to be a battle to finish them off,’’ J.J. said. ``They’re a team that even when we get a lead during a game, they just don’t go away. They keep playing hard and keep attacking. They seem to just play their game no matter what the score is. We have to play our game and limit their paint points and transition points.’’
Magic star center Dwight Howard had the fourth 20-20 playoff game of his career with 24 points and 24 rebounds. And Rashard Lewis scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to seal Orlando’s most lopsided victory of the series so far. As for J.J., he has talked all season about keeping his mind into the game and staying ready to play because his playing time has been so spotty. He clearly was ready to contribute Tuesday night and knows he’ll have to have a similar mindset come Thursday.
``You never know what is going to happen and things can change quickly in a game and a series with foul trouble or a guy getting banged up,’’ J.J. said. ``So you have to always be ready to go whether it’s for five minutes or 29 minutes. I was ready to play and I’ll be ready on Thursday.’’