[Newark, NJ] Coming into tonight’s contest, the Orlando Magic (21-12) have been winners of 10 or their last 13 games and are currently sitting in the 3rd seed in the East. Their opponent tonight: The New Jersey Nets (10-24), who have had to play without their young stud center Brook Lopez for most of the season so far.

Saying that they are struggling would be a understatement. But he is back, playing in his second game of the season against the visitors. Losers of 10 or their last 12, could the Nets continue their one-game winning streak, or start another 10 game slide?

Starting tonight’s game, the Orlando Magic came out of the gate hot, thanks to a fast start from Jameer Nelson and Glen “Big Baby” Davis, both contributing 8 points in the first quarter. The Magic doubled up the hapless Nets, ending the first quarter 34-17.

Leading the Nets was Lopez (who had 7) – he’s the guy that is considered the center piece around a potential Dwight Howard-to-the-Nets trade.

The second quarter was no better for the struggling Nets. There is not much to say other than the Magic dominated this one, other than some solid play from star Nets PG Deron Williams. The Magic led at the half 58-41.

First half stand-outs: for the Orlando Magic it was Big Baby, who had 14. For the Nets, it was D. Williams with 11.

With the game already over at the half – and both teams knowing it – the third quarter was a complete wash, with both teams putting up 29 points. Other than some very solid play from Williams and Lopez not much was going on for the Nets.

Photo: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis pulls up for an outside fade-away jumper

The Magic on the other hand, saw some excellent team play. Through three, the Magic led 87-70. This one was actually painful to watch. I almost felt sorry for the New Jersey fans … almost.

Both teams put up 21 points in the fourth quarter and we got to see a lot of the 2nd and 3rd stringers from both teams. Not exactly an NBA barn-burner. The final score of tonight’s game was your Orlando Magic 108, the New Jersey Nets 91.

The Magic had 13 players play in this game and ten of them put up some points. Leading the way for the Magic was Dwight Howard, who managed 20 points and 17 boards in under 34 minutes. Big Baby had 16 while Ryan Anderson poured in 14 points and grabbed 9 boards.

Chris Duhon put up 11. Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson both scored 10. The Nets, on the other hand, were led by rookie sensation Marshon Brooks with 24 points, D. Williams with 23 points and 8 dimes. The mighty Brook Lopez finished with 15 points in his second game back.

Note: Sitting this one out was Jason Richardson with chest pains.

Mike’s Pick

The Orlando Magic play their next game this Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks who are coming in on a 3-game slide. I expect this one to be close, but not too close. The Magic will win, especially with the way they are playing as of late.

My Prediction: The Magic 93, The Hawks 88.

Position Advantage:

PG: Even

SG: Atlanta

SF: Magic

PF: Slight Atlanta

C: Magic

Bench: Magic

By: Mike Yesenko/Sunshine Slate

Images: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic

[Orlando, FL] After more negative comments came out of the mouth of Orlando Magic superstar center Dwight Howard following the team‘s victory – yes, he still whined after they won – on Saturday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, I’m going to warn all Magic fans to pray that management can find a way to unload him before the trade deadline March 15^th.

Already having thrown teammates under the brightly colored – and sometimes smelly – Lynx bus earlier this season, he is at it again, except this time he’s going after the coaches.

“I do want the ball more in the fourth,” Howard stated. “I want to become a closer. The only way you get there is by getting the ball and have coaches have the confidence in giving me the ball.”

Yes, Dwight, that is true, but this is something you should have been working on the past seven-and-a-half seasons instead of only wanting it now. Maybe you should have paid a little more attention to all-time great free thrower Mark Price instead of running to the nearest microphone.

Being a transplant from Cleveland, trust me when I say this: Magic fans, you do not want to have to deal with the ramifications of “The Decision: Part 2.” In case you aren’t aware, LeBron James leaving basketball-mad Cleveland for the the sun and fun of Miami to play for the Heat was “Part 1.”

But James fled after the trade deadline was long gone and the season was over – the Cavs were left with nothing except warehouses full of LeBron jerseys. Note: NBA replica apparel doesn’t burn very well.

Photo: Julien Haler

Dwight Howard having a good time, handing out high-fives to the fans

Well, we all know sequels are never better than the originals! So wouldn’t it be better for the Magic to get something out of Dwight instead of complaints and grievances? That’s right – ship him out before he ships all over Orlando.

So lets take a look at the top three destinations for Dwight Howard that I believe will keep us in contention for years to come (and yes, these are all teams on Dwight’s so-called “wish list”):

1. Trade Dwight Howard and PG Jameer Nelson to the Chicago Bulls for Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, C.J. Watson and two first round picks (2012 Charlotte and 2012 Chicago).

Why this works: This would be the best option for the Orlando Magic. Keep in mind no matter where you send him, you’re still losing D12.  But this at least gets an NBA All-Star back in return (Deng), a high-energy center-scrapper in Noah, a solid back-up PF in Gibson and a solid PG in Watson.

Not to mention the Charlotte pick, which is protected until 2016. But I don’t see the Bobcats getting any better anytime soon, so that could end up being a top 5 pick down the road.

2. Trade Dwight Howard to the New Jersey Nets for Brook Lopez (who is coming off his injury soon), MarShon Brooks, Sundiata Gaines, Mehmet Okur (expiring contract) and the Nets’ first round pick for 2012 (unprotected).

Why this works: The Magic get three really solid young players, an expiring contract, and a guaranteed top 5 pick in this year’s draft. Let’s not forget what Lopez did last season (20.4 points and 6 rebounds a game) and what Brooks is doing as a rookie (14 points and 4.3 rebounds per game).

On top of those, you get a solid back up point guard in Gaines and an all but guaranteed top 5 pick in this deep, deep draft this season. Long-term this could work out better for the Magic than the Bulls trade but that would have to be seen.

Photo: New Jersey Nets

Will Orlando trade Brook Lopez for Dwight Howard?

3. Trade Dwight Howard to the L.A. Lakers for Andrew Bynum, Darius Morris, Andrew Goudelock, the Lakers’ 2012 first round pick and the Mavericks‘ 2012 first round pick.

Why this works: Out of the three trades, this one scares me the most. I’m not 100% sold on Bynum, but he is an NBA All-Star this season. You also get two solid young guards, but definitely not as good as Brooks and Gaines. You also get a few late first round picks.

Do I love this trade? NO!!!! But it’s better than what the other 2 remaining teams on his list could have offered (Celtics and the Mavericks).

Listen Magic fans, I know it will be hard to let go of such a good player, but believe me, the sooner we do this the faster things will get better! Just hope you don’t hold onto him then have a stellar season like the Cleveland Cavaliers did last season (19-63).

And if it weren’t for the L.A. Clippers being so careless with their draft picks, the Cavs would’ve never gotten future star Kyrie Irving. So Magic GM Otis Smith, go get a deal done and bring this city what they deserve, A CHAMPIONSHIP!

By: Mike Yesenko/Sunshine Slate

Lead image: NBA

Dwight Howard

[Orlando, FL] Yet another bracing gust in the tsunami of Dwight Howard trade talk.

The superstar center told the Boston Herald that he would certainly go green and play for the storied Boston Celtics. If they asked, of course.

“I’d always listen to a team like that,” said Howard. “They have the championship mentality,” Howard went on to say. “It means a lot. Like I said, I like the team. They play hard and they go after it, and that’s what I like.”

Another cringe-worthy quote from D-12 who seems to stick it to Magic fans on an almost daily basis.

The comment came after the Magic’s stinging breakdown and eventual loss to Boston last night, the second such embarrassing performance against Celtics in less than a week.

But there may be hope for the followers of the blue and white pinstripes: ESPN‘s Jemele Hill dropped the rumor-thinking that maybe the big fella just might be staying in Orlando after all.

“If Howard chooses to go to another team as a free agent, it could cost him $30 million, since the collective bargaining agreement allows the Magic, as the team that drafted him, to offer him the most money,” said Hill. “Orlando has three things going for it in its effort to manipulate Howard into staying: money, a winning record and his desire to be liked.”

What, is he Sally Field now?

“The salary should be enough to make even Howard – who is earning close to $18 million this season – uncomfortable about leaving,” Hill said.

Makes sense. Of course, it is all still speculation, but it is one of the first positive signs Magic fans have gotten since hearing about all of the possible exit strategies for Howard.

But then the Orlando faithful keep hearing reports like the one coming out of the New Jersey Nets camp. Seems the team did not sign Brook Lopez to an extension before Wednesday’s deadline. Yep, the Nets are setting themselves up to have the cap room to sign a player of Dwight Howard’s caliber.

They apparently envision re-signing Lopez – who is currently untrade-ably injured – and adding the might of Howard to create a twin towers front court, according to the New York Daily News.

The saga continues …

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

Image: Lance Turner/latuphoto.com/Sunshine Slate Images

Dwight Howard