[Orlando, FL] As of late, the Orlando Magic (17-11) have been playing Love-ly, haven’t they? Winning 5 of their first 7 games in February, we have even seen the likes of Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson step up and take the leadership role more consistently than we are used to seeing.

“We’re dangerous in a lot different ways. We have a lot of guys that are on the team that can score the ball, put up the numbers,” Richardson said after being asked about the team’s recent play.

Welcoming the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-15) to town tonight, the Magic get their first look of the season at “The Love Guru” himself, Kevin Love. Putting up close-to-MVP type numbers (25.6 ppg and 13.9 rebs), Love has already lead his team to victory 13 times in their first 28 games.

That’s only 4 wins shy of last season’s win total already, and we still haven’t hit the All-Star break yet! And if they stay on this pace, they will win 31 games this year, only one win shy of their total number of wins for the past two seasons combined (not to mention this is only a 66-game season).

The young Wolves’ future is looking a little brighter than in season’s past, especially with the emergence of rookie point guard Ricky Rubio and some pretty solid play from sixth man – and former Miami Heat player – Michael Beasley. Currently they are just 2 games out of the 8^th and final seed for the NBA playoffs.

Playoffs? What? Playoffs? Who said that?

Photo: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick played strong off the bench, scoring 14

Yes, Playoffs. Something the Timberwolves have missed for the past 7 seasons, but hey, anything is possible. And after the horrific season from the beloved Minnesota Vikings, those touk wearing folk could use a team to be proud of, don’t ya know (insert Fargo/fake Canadian accent here)?

Enough with the set-up, we got a game to talk about.

The Magic came out of the gate quickly, building a 15-6 lead just four minutes into the game. Leading the way for the Magic were Hedo Turkoglu and Anderson, both put up 5 points in the first 4 minutes.

But before the Orlando Magic could snuggle up and take things easy, Love and Rubio decided to join in the fun. Love ended the first quarter with 8 points and Rubio added 7. The leading scorer for the Magic was none other than Anderson, who had 10.

The score after one was Magic 29, the Timberwolves 26.

The second quarter started similar to the first, with the Magic men taking early control. With 5:34 left in the quarter, the Magic found themselves up 44-33. There was no love for Kevin in this quarter, being held to just 2 points.

Orlando, on the other hand, saw J.J. Redick get a little action for himself, putting up 7 in the quarter. At halftime, Orlando was leading by 11, 55-44.

Photo: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard only scored 11 points

Heading into the second half with an 11-point lead and a head of steam, the Orlando Magic came out and basically put this one out of reach of the visitors. Orlando went up by 20 at the 8:24 mark of the third.

And just like clock work, guess who decided to show up again today? None other than J-Rich, who put up 13 in quarter. The T-Wolves would make a little run led by Rubio and Love, but never getting any closer than 11. The quarter ended with the Orlando Magic leading 79-66.

The fourth and final quarter was as total wash as both teams matched each other basket for basket and tallying 23 on the scoreboard. That gave the Magic an easy 102-89 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The leading scorer for the Orlando Magic was J-Rich, who had 17 points, followed by Redick, Jameer Nelson and Turkoglu each putting up 14 apiece. Ryan Anderson had a mediocre night, scoring only 13 points and pulling down 5 boards.

Where is Dwight Howard’s name you ask? Oh, well he was in foul trouble most of the game and ended with 11 points and 7 boards. The Magic ended up with six players in double figures.

Leading the way for The Minnesota Timberwolves was – surprise – Kevin Love who scored 19 grabbed 15 rebounds. Other notable Wolves included Nikola Pekovic (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Beasley (13 points). Star rookie Rubio put in 11, as did J.J. Barea.

Mike’s Picks

The Orlando Magic play their next game this Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia 76ers, who are riding in on a two-game win streak. I expect this to be a hard fought battle, with lots of defense and a low score at the end.

My Prediction: 76ers 88, Magic 84

It was hard to pick against the Magic, but I just don’t know how long J-Rich and Anderson can carry this team against quality opponents. Yes Dwight, I’m asking you to step up and prove me wrong in this game (11 and 7 is just not cutting it). Those are not All-Star numbers Mr. D12 – those are the kind of stats that a rookie center puts up then gets a nice little pat on the back followed by a circular motion for not completely sucking!

That being said, if J-Rich and Anderson both have big nights, then look for this score to be flip-flopped.

Position Advantage:

PG – 76ers

SG – Slight Magic

SF – 76ers

PF – Slight Magic

C – Magic

Bench – 76ers

By: Mike Yesenko/Sunshine Slate

Images: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic

[Milwaukee, WI] Traveling to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks (12-14), the Orlando Magic (16-11) had to try to get the sour taste of defeat out of their mouths after last night’s OT loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

But a sour taste is something that Bucks fans – and the entire team, for that matter – are trying to avoid after comments made by their emerging star player Brandon Jennings earlier in the week.

Uh oh, trouble in cheese town?

“I am going to keep my options open, knowing that the time is coming up,” said the 22-year-old Jennings. “I’m doing my homework on big market teams.”

Way to endear yourself to the fans, Brandon.

The Bucks have been blessed over the past decade-and-a-half with some pretty talented guards. With the likes of Ray Allen and Michael Redd – two top notch gentlemen of the game – they have never had to deal with such a prima donna getting waaaaay ahead of themselves.

Jennings, who skipped his senior year of high school to play professionally in Europe for a season, entered the 2009 NBA draft instead of attending a year of college. But so far, he has backed up his big mouth with big action, averaging 18.9 points and 5.3 assists this season. But could he keep it up tonight against the Magic?

Coming out of the gate strong, the Magic took an early 7-0 advantage, thanks to 5 quick points from “Mr. Convenient” himself, Ryan Anderson. But as quick as you could say Mbah a Moute, the Magic found themselves in an 11-7 hole, as the Bucks went on a little 11-0 run.

Photo: Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images

Orlando Magic players Hedo Turkoglu and Glen Davis sandwich Milwaukee’s Ersan Ilyasova

Leading the way for the Bucks in the first was Mike Dunleavy, who had 8 points. At the end of the first quarter, the score was Milwaukee 21, Orlando 16.

Heading into the second, the Orlando Magic found themselves again in a hole, this one 5 points deep. And they would stay there for almost the entire quarter. Coming alive off the Magic bench was J.J. Redick, who decided to join the party and put up 10 points in the quarter and 12 for the half.

It was a back and forth affair with the Magic putting up 27 points to the Bucks 28 for the quarter. Something that we don’t see very often: Dwight Howard was outscored by Bucks big man (and former Magician) Drew Gooden, 5 to 8.

The score at the half: Milwaukee Bucks 49, Orlando Magic 43.

The second half started out with a bang as Orlando’s Jason Richardson came down and hit a three pointer putting the score at 46-49. And he was just getting started. After only scoring 3 points in the first half, someone decided to tell him he was on TV and in front of friends and family. He scored 16 points in the third quarter alone.

After going scoreless for nearly 21 minutes, Brandon “Big Mouth” Jennings decided to show up for the Bucks, albeit briefly. He put up a measly 5 points in the quarter, giving him 7 for the game. I guess no one told him that you actually have to play four quarters to get a max contract in the league (note: not completely true).

Photo: Orlando Magic

Ta da: Orlando Magic star of the night, J-Rich

After three, the score was Milwaukee 73, Orlando 72.

The fourth quarter was both ugly and a thing of beauty, all at once. It was really a tale of two halves, or of a quarter (which would just be two-eighths, but who’s counting?).

In the first six minutes the Magic were outscored 15-6, putting the Bucks up by 10, and the score at 88-78. But then J-Rich – the Magic’s savior as of late – stepped up and hit four three-pointers in the final 4:55, the last of the bunch giving the Magic a 94-88 lead.

And that’s all the Orlando Magic needed to pull of a tough win on the road. The final score was Orlando 99, Milwaukee 94.

Leading the way for the Magic was Jason Richardson with 31 points and 4 rebounds. D12 had a poor night, adding 11 points and 14 rebounds while Hedo Turkoglu came up big with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The leading scorer off the Magic bench was Redick, who finished with 14.

The top point-getter for the Milwaukee Bucks was none other than Drew Gooden, recording 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists against the best defensive player in the league. He was actually impressive, but over the years he has never been able to deliver those kind of performances consistently.

Also in double figures for the Bucks were Ersan Ilyasova with 17 points and 16 rebounds, Mike Dunleavy with 14 points and Carlos Delfino (12 points, 5 rebounds).

MIKE’S PICK

The Orlando Magic play the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-15) next at home on Monday. The T-Wolves are greatly improved over last year, but still in need of some serious help. They are coming off a two point loss to the Knicks, so I expect this game to be close.

My Prediction: Orlando 97, Minnesota 91

Game Notes: Look for this game to come down to a battle of the big men: Kevin Love versus Dwight Howard. Whoever has the best night will likely lead their team to victory. After seeing early NBA Rookie of the Year candidate Kyrie Irving last week, we get our first look at the only man capable of challenging him, Ricky Rubio.

Rubio could potentially cause some match up problems for the Magic. Yes, I am talking about you Jameer Nelson.

Position Advantage:

PG – Minnesota
SG – Magic
SF – Magic
PF – Minnesota
C – Magic
Bench – Even

By: Mike Yesenko/Sunshine Slate

Lead photo: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic