Many more Duke players fail in the NBA that make it so drafting one is always risky.  Still, the Magic couldn’t really pass on J.J. Redick based on how well he played in college.  He played in 42 games for the Magic and averaged 14.8 minutes, 6.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.  Redick only shot 41% from the floor, but, he hit 38.8% of his three-point shots and 90% of his free-throws.  It’s hard to say at this point whether Redick will be a good player or just another Duke stiff.  Only time will tell.  F/C James Augustine only played in 2 games this season and he averaged 1.0 point, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.

The Orlando Magic finished in 3rd place in the Southeast Division with a 40-42 record, 4 games behind the Miami Heat.  The Magic did a good job defending the home turf with a 25-16 record, but they were only 15-26 on the road.  The Magic were 26-26 against the Eastern Conference and 9-7 against the Division.  They averaged 94.8 points per game while allowing 94.0 points per game.  The Magic are running hot going into the playoffs on a four game winning streak and they’ve won 7 of their last 10 games.

Jameer Nelson is playing horrible down the stretch when the Magic really need him as they are trying to hang onto the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  He has played in 5 games this April and he’s averaged 28.6 minutes, 9.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.  He also is throwing up a lot of bricks as he’s only hitting 37% from the floor this month and 1 for 11 from three-point range.  The Magic will have a hard time making the playoffs if Nelson doesn’t play a little better in the last couple of games.

The Magic have been a one-man wrecking crew most of the season with Dwight Howard carrying the load, but the last couple of weeks he’s been getting big-time help.  Hedo Turkoglu and Grant Hill are both really picking up their games at the right time as the Magic are trying to hold onto the #8 spot in the NFL Playoffs.  In his last 6 games, Turkoglu is averaging 18.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.  He also has nailed 14 of 27 (51.9%) of his three-point shots the last two weeks.  Grant Hill has also been busy in his last 6 games as he’s averaging 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game.  Hill also is getting hot from the floor as he’s hit 55.4% of his shots in his last 6 games.

The Orlando Magic are sitting in the #8 slot in the Eastern Conference with a 35-41 record on the season.  The Magic could move up in the playoffs of completely out of them in the last six games of the season.  The Magic are only 1 game behind the Nets and only 1 game ahead of the Pacers.  A big problem for the Magic is the fact that the are 12-25 on the road and have 4 road games left.  Dwight Howard will need some help if the Magic are to secure a playoff spot this season.