Coach Stan Van Gundy didn't let his ego get in the way of a touchy situation. And it's one reason why the Magic will remain a serious contender in the Eastern Conference as the season moves forward. Even though forward Rashard Lewis refused to go into a game Thursday night in Utah during the second quarter, Van Gundy tried to laugh off the incident Friday night and started him the same as always, making sure to preserve his good relationship with a star player. "It was a one-time thing," Van Gundy said before the game Friday. "We had one thing we disagreed on that was a matter of five minutes and change. I'm not going to blow that out of proportion."
Van Gundy could have fined Lewis, or sat him, and gotten the backing of general manager Otis Smith. But he decided against it.
Lewis rewarded him by scoring 15 points in the first half Friday against Phoenix.
"If I got along with everybody else in my life as well as Rashard and I get along, I'd be in pretty good shape," Van Gundy said. "We're good."
The Magic completed a four-game road trip Friday night and now won't leave the state the rest of December, clearing the way to improve on their record.
They return to action Monday at home against Indiana. They play seven of their next eight at home, including a Christmas Day game against Boston. Their only road trip goes to Miami next week.
SUNS 106, MAGIC 103: The Magic trailed by as many as 19 points in the second quarter and worked their way back, but poor shooting by Dwight Howard (8-for-17 from the line) and poor rebounding down the stretch doomed the Magic to a last-second loss. Phoenix forward Amar'e Stoudamire grabbed an offensive rebound and threw down a thunderous dunk with only 6.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Play Basketball Hot Streak and win prizes!
