Bobcats and Magic NEWS!!!

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CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

Tyson Chandler (hip, elbow) said he'll be fine for the beginning of the playoffs this weekend.

"I think I have a bursa sac (injury) so there's going to be some fluid [Thursday]," Chandler said. He's fortunate to have avoided more serious injury and should continue filling his role as backup center.

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

Tyson Chandler (hip, elbow) practiced without restrictions on Thursday and is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Bobcats' series against the Magic.

After a handful of productive games last week, Chandler went back to his limited role to close out the season. He'll use up all the fouls he can against the Dwight Howard.

Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter

Bobcats coach Larry Brown said his only real injury concern heading into the playoffs is Tyrus Thomas' thumb.

Brown isn't concerned about the nagging, cumulative injuries that stars Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson picked up along the way. Thomas should also be fine for 15-20 minutes a game off the bench after practicing on Friday.

Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter

ORLANDO MAGIC

Magic SF Matt Barnes and his agent met with team brass about a possible contract extension, but nothing was resolved.

"We're going to wait until the season's over," said Barnes. He is making a relative pittance this season despite playing a key role in Orlando's rotation, and a raise is almost certainly in order.

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Magic president Bob Vander Weide said he "absolutely" wants to keep restricted FA J.J. Redick, though he stopped short of saying the team will match any offer.

"One thing that motivates us right now, we've got an 83-year-old owner with a lot of health history, so we're going to really push it the next few years," said Vander Weide. "For us to be in [luxury] tax now is acceptable, and we won't run away from it. At least for the short term, we're going to push it.''

Source: Fanhouse.com

Michael Jordan said in a recent interview that the Bobcats "best chance to win" vs. the Magic is to send swarms of big men at Dwight Howard -- and use all their fouls.

"We’ve got four 7-footers. In essence, we’ve got 24 fouls," said Jordan. "We are going to have to use that to neutralize Howard and not allow these other guys, their perimeter players, to hurt us in the double-team scenario." Dwight shot 59% from the line this season, but slumped in April and frequently gets frustrated when teams resort to hacking him.

Source: Orlando Sentinel