Magic SF Hedo Turkoglu, who played all 82 games last season, missed Saturday night's game against the Houston Rockets because of the flu.
Turkoglu said after the Magic's win in Indiana against the Pacers on Friday night that he did not feel well. He looked as if he were laboring, and shot 1-of-13. "He's got the flu and wasn't feeling good last night and he was worse today," Coach Stan Van Gundy said.
It is the first game of the season the Turkoglu has missed.
Keith Bogans was moved into the starting lineup at SG, and SG Mickael Pietrus played Turkoglu's spot.
The Magic activated veteran C Adonal Foyle and SF Jeremy Richardson. It was the second time Foyle has been activated this season. Richardson, a training-camp signee, dressed for the first time this season.
Familiar foe
With Turkoglu missing from the lineup, Van Gundy said he decided to start Bogans instead of J.J. Redick or rookie Courtney Lee for obvious reasons.
Rockets SG Tracy McGrady, 6 feet 8, can be a handful.
"Going with Bogs because of the size thing; he's a little bit bigger and has the best chance physically," Van Gundy said.
Van Gundy also said the 6-5 Bogans has "the best familiarity" with McGrady, whom he played with in Houston during the 2005-06 season. Bogans played in 33 games with the Rockets after being traded by the Charlotte Bobcats.
Nelson strong again
Magic PG Jameer Nelson is playing his most consistent Basketball of his four-plus years with Orlando. He recorded his fourth 20-point game in his last five outings against the Rockets. He also has posted two games in which he has had nine assists and had a 10-rebound game.
"There's no question. When Jameer plays well, we play well," Magic GM Otis Smith said. "And he doesn't always even have to play well -- just be aggressive."
Francis rehabbing
Former Magic PG Steve Francis was listed in the box score, but hasn't played with the Rockets all season. He has been rehabbing his knee since surgery in February. There is no timetable for his return. He returned to the Rockets last summer, and played with Orlando and the New York Knicks in his nine NBA seasons.
A different McGrady
Hard to believe that McGrady is 29 and this is his 12th season in the league. He has changed as a player, he says, not so burdened by having to be a scorer any more. "I'm buying into our system and becoming more of a guy that defers, not being a guy that takes 25 shots like I did when I was here," McGrady said of his Orlando days. "Not being that aggressive scorer."
