[Orlando, FL] Really NBA? Really? Hasn’t the Orlando Magic beaten the Milwaukee Bucks enough times this season that they can get some sort of hall pass for this one?

On Saturday – for the fourth time in the last 20-plus days – the Magic (23-14) took on the Bucks (14-22), featuring and Brandon “Mr. Big Head” Jennings. Jennings came into the game averaging a whopping 15 points a game – not really enough to fill that Big Ole Head of his.

He’s thinking he deserves a max contract. I think he needs to go shopping for a bigger hat to cover that planet-sized ego melon.

OK, back to the game. Do I really need to write this one, or can I just copy and paste the coverage of their last three meetings?

Anyway, the Magic came out of the gate strong, taking a 16-7 lead in the first 3:59 of the game thanks to 8 quick points from Jason Richardson and 6 additional points from Dwight Howard. Orlando really controlled the first and never let the Bucks within 10 points.

The score after one: Magic 36, Bucks 21. Leading the Magic after one was D12 with 12.

Photo: Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic heads to the basket

The second quarter actually saw the Bucks come out of their flat-line and regain a pulse, outscoring the Magic 39-25. Thirty-nine? Where’s the defense boys? Leading the way for the Bucks at the half was Big Head, who had already hit his season average (just like our very own NBA All-Star half-time performer Chris Brown did to to Rihanna (too soon? nah).

The Orlando Magic were led by none other than Superman himself with 14. The score at the half: Magic 61, Bucks 60.

Going into the third quarter, could the Cheesetown Deermeats finally steal a win from the Magic? Sorry Bucks, you play like soup – NO WIN FOR YOU! The Magic got it together and outpaced the Bucks 24-20 giving them a 5-point lead heading to the fourth, 85-80.

And we all know what happens in the fourth, as we’ve seen this episode before. The Bucks came out tired – tired of what? they just had a break – meanwhile, the Magic came out like men possessed. I’ll save you the gory details. The Final score: Orlando Magic 114, Milwaukee Bucks 98.

Leading the way for the Magic (finally!) was Dwight Howard with 28 points and 14 boards, a great showing. Also in double figures for the Magic were Jason Richardson (18), Ryan Anderson/Hedo Turkoglu (16), J.J. Redick (14) and Chris Duhon (12). Thanks for showing up guys!

Pacing the Bucks was Brandon Jennings – who had 27 points, which will go a long way in filing his cranium to capacity -  and Ersan Ilyasova with 18.

Mike’s Pick

The Magic play their next game tonight in Toronto against the Raptors. This is their second meeting of the year, and their first in Toronto. Toronto has been playing rather well for a team missing their best player, Andrea Bargnani. Expect this one to be kind of close until the end when the Magic start to run away with this one.

My Prediction: Orlando Magic 99, Toronto Raptors 86

Position Breakdown:

PG: Even

SG: Magic

SF: Even

PF: Magic

C: Magic

Bench: Magic

Note: 5 out of 7 of my season predictions have been correct so far.

By: Mike Yesenko/Sunshine Slate

Images: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic

[Orlando, FL] Now that Orlando is getting back to normal after nearly a week-long NBA All-Star celebration of the best that pro basketball has to offer, we can take a little time to reflect on the numerical realities of it all.

But first, what did the NBA Commissioner think of the host city and facility?

“Orange County and the city of Orlando have been great hosts,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. Adding, Orlando’s “a perfect city to host an All-Star Game with all things good from the hotels to the golf courses to the spectacular Amway Center, there’s no better building in the world.”

Orlando last hosted the All-Star game in 1992, back when Shaquille O’Neal ruled the roost. This time out, it was Dwight Howard‘s turn to show off to his dribbling and dunking buddies. And did he ever – the superstar center hosted three parties as well as participated in tons of league-mandated appearances.

He also managed to squeeze in a little basketball.

Photo: Gary Bassing

And let’s not forget about the performances by Grammy-choked music all-stars like Mary J. Blige, Pitbull, will.i.am, and Nicki Minaj who helped bring “showtime” to Orlando something proper. And those were just the official happenings – chart-topping folks like Rick Ross tore it up downtown at The Beacham.

Watch video of that performance here.

Events surrounding the All-Stars were broadcast in 215 countries and territories and in over 44 languages, says the league. More than 1,800 members of the media were involved, including 336 from countries outside the U.S. of A.

Think TNT is small time? Think again you wrong thinker. The cable giant – which broadcast most of the All-Star events – brought 31 TV trucks, 42 HD cameras and 65 miles of fiber optics to the world’s biggest basketball party.

So, how were the ratings? Not gangbusters, but darn good. The 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 24 was the most-watched telecast in the event’s history, surpassing the 2004 game, says the NBA. The NBA All-Star Saturday Night broadcast on Feb. 25 was one of the highest rated of all time.

Photo: Fernando Medina

Tip-off for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 26 at the Amway Center in Orlando

As for the big game itself, it was the “second highest-rated overnight since 2005.” What? They are saying it crushed it.

And now for the digi-nerds: there were 114 million video streams during the festivities, an NBA.com record and a more than 40% increase from last year. That’s nothing compared to the 305% increase in the total number of NBA Mobile Web video streams as compared to last year’s event.

The NBA.com website also recorded a whopping 209 million page views during the All-Stars. Wow.

Besides the business aspect, the All-Star events even had an impact on those Central Floridians in need.

The NBA’s community outreach arm – NBA Cares – hit the Orlando community hard. A virtual army of 3,000 players, family members executives and volunteers pitched in over four days and slam-dunked 25 Community Caravan events.

Heck, the league even helped collect more than 11 tons of electronics to be properly recycled.

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

Lead image: Magic guard Jameer Nelson participates in the Haier Shooting Stars competition at NBA All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 25 at the Amway Center in Orlando. Photo: Fernando Medina

NBA All-Star

[Orlando, FL] Now that Orlando is getting back to normal after nearly a week-long NBA All-Star celebration of the best that pro basketball has to offer, we can take a little time to reflect on the numerical realities of it all.

But first, what did the NBA Commissioner think of the host city and facility?

“Orange County and the city of Orlando have been great hosts,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. Adding, Orlando’s “a perfect city to host an All-Star Game with all things good from the hotels to the golf courses to the spectacular Amway Center, there’s no better building in the world.”

Orlando last hosted the All-Star game in 1992, back when Shaquille O’Neal ruled the roost. This time out, it was Dwight Howard‘s turn to show off to his dribbling and dunking buddies. And did he ever – the superstar center hosted three parties as well as participated in tons of league-mandated appearances.

He also managed to squeeze in a little basketball.

Photo: Gary Bassing

And let’s not forget about the performances by Grammy-choked music all-stars like Mary J. Blige, Pitbull, will.i.am, and Nicki Minaj who helped bring “showtime” to Orlando something proper. And those were just the official happenings – chart-topping folks like Rick Ross tore it up downtown at The Beacham.

Watch video of that performance here.

Events surrounding the All-Stars were broadcast in 215 countries and territories and in over 44 languages, says the league. More than 1,800 members of the media were involved, including 336 from countries outside the U.S. of A.

Think TNT is small time? Think again you wrong thinker. The cable giant – which broadcast most of the All-Star events – brought 31 TV trucks, 42 HD cameras and 65 miles of fiber optics to the world’s biggest basketball party.

So, how were the ratings? Not gangbusters, but darn good. The 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 24 was the most-watched telecast in the event’s history, surpassing the 2004 game, says the NBA. The NBA All-Star Saturday Night broadcast on Feb. 25 was one of the highest rated of all time.

Photo: Fernando Medina

Tip-off for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 26 at the Amway Center in Orlando

As for the big game itself, it was the “second highest-rated overnight since 2005.” What? They are saying it crushed it.

And now for the digi-nerds: there were 114 million video streams during the festivities, an NBA.com record and a more than 40% increase from last year. That’s nothing compared to the 305% increase in the total number of NBA Mobile Web video streams as compared to last year’s event.

The NBA.com website also recorded a whopping 209 million page views during the All-Stars. Wow.

Besides the business aspect, the All-Star events even had an impact on those Central Floridians in need.

The NBA’s community outreach arm – NBA Cares – hit the Orlando community hard. A virtual army of 3,000 players, family members executives and volunteers pitched in over four days and slam-dunked 25 Community Caravan events.

Heck, the league even helped collect more than 11 tons of electronics to be properly recycled.

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

Lead image: Magic guard Jameer Nelson participates in the Haier Shooting Stars competition at NBA All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 25 at the Amway Center in Orlando. Photo: Fernando Medina

NBA All-Star

[Miami, FL] Around a month ago, if you looked at the Miami Heat’s schedule and you saw the New York Knicks on it, you would think it was just another game.

But, around 3 weeks ago, when Jeremy Lin hit the NBA spotlight, everyone was hyping up the Knicks’ trip to Miami to face the stiffest competition in the league. Would “Linsanity” reign supreme over the firepower and defensive prowess of the Big 3?

Or would the Heat – holders of the best record in the NBA – dominate as they have throughout the month of February?

And on Thursday night, it showed why everyone was worked up – it was a close game … in the beginning.

In the first quarter, both teams kept going back and forth, not giving up an inch on defense. LeBron James scored 6 points and dished out 3 assists. Lin struggled early, mostly due to the defense of Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole.

Coming into the game, neither Chalmers nor Cole had a dunk all season. In the first half, they both got dunks off of steals from Lin. At the end of one, the Miami Heat were up 24-20.

It was raining 3-pointers and dunks in the second for Miami. Still, the Knicks were able to keep pace with the Heat. Amar’e Stoudemire scored 6 points and Carmelo Anthony scored 5 points in the quarter. The Heat’s points came from both the Big 3 as well as the supporting cast.

Photo: Issac Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images

Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade rocks the rim

Cole, Udonis Haslem and Shane Battier combined to score 13 points while the Big 3 contributed 14 points. At halftime, the Heat were up 51-47.

Dwyane Wade, James and the Heat were able to increase the lead into double digits in the 3rd quarter. D-Wade scored 8 points and LeBron scored 6 points. Battier also hit a big 3-pointer to put the Heat up by 15. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Heat were up 80-66.

The closest the Knicks got to the Heat in the fourth was 9 points. But the Heat didn’t let up at all they kept pushing as they have done in the fourth quarter over the past 8 or so games. The final score was Miami Heat 102, New York Knicks 88.

Chris Bosh scored 25 points and collected 8 rebounds. Dwyane Wade scored 22 and LeBron scored 20 points. Mario Chalmers really buckled down on defense against Jeremy Lin, only allowing him to make 1 out 11 shots, for only 8 points.

“First of all he deserves all the credit he’s been given,” Wade said about Jeremy Lin. “Our point guards did a great job tonight. We put a lot of pressure on him.”

This was Miami’s last game before the NBA All-Star break. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was impressed by how his team has been playing this past month.

“This has been about a three-week push for us and it’s a good way to end before the break,” Spoelstra said. “I think everyone in that locker room needs a handful of days.”

By: Michael Tristani II/Sunshine Slate

Lead image: Miami Heat/Mike Ehrmann/NBAE/Getty Images

Miami Heat

[Orlando, FL] “Practice? We’re talking about practice. We are not talking about the game, when it really matters, we are talking about practice.”

These are the famous magical words of former Philadelphia 76ers great Allen Iverson. Well, coming into tonight’s game with a record of 20 wins and 9 loses, it looks like these 76ers may have been doing just that, practicing.

On pace for their first winning season since the 2004-05 golden year, Philly may have found “the answer” to all their questions about how to win; it’s really quite simple, it’s called playing TEAM BALL.

Welcoming all-star Andre “Iggy” Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers to town tonight, the Orlando Magic (18-11) knew going into this game they would have their hands full, to say the least. But that’s something they are used to – just look how they handled the Miami Heat earlier this month.

And with the likes of Jason Richardson, J.J. Redick, and Ryan Anderson playing very good as of late, I think this game has all the making for a nail biter.

With the game starting out with Dwight Howard winning the jump ball over Lavoy Allen (who?) then going down and opening the game with a pretty bank shot, it felt like the big man had finally decided to show up again (Howard’s last game, you may remember, he put up a pathetic 11 points and nabbed only four rebounds).

Photo: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson taking it to the hoop

And after going up 18-6 in the first six minutes thanks to J-Rich and Anderson (again), it felt like this game might end up going the Magic’s way after all. Helping their cause was that it appeared as if t a high school team had kidnapped the actual 76ers.

Calling all cars: if you have any information on the whereabouts of a certain basketball team from Philadelphia, please contact the NBA.

At the end of the first quarter the score was Ryan Anderson 14, the Dr. Phillips JV girls basketball team 16. The Magic were up 29-16 after one.

This just in … the Philadelphia 76ers have been finally spotted at the Amway Center. The Sixers started off the quarter on an 11-6 run led by Louis Williams, cutting the lead down to 8 by the 7:36 mark.  But before you knew it, the Magic had built the lead back up to a 12.

After the 76ers went on a little 8-2 run to bring it to within 6, everything seemed to fall apart for the visitors. The Magic went into the locker room at halftime leading 55-39.

First half leaders for the Orlando Magic: Ryan Anderson (14 points), Dwight Howard (13 points, 7 boards). Philly Cheese Mistakes: Louis Williams (11 points, 4 assists).

Going into the second half, the 76ers knew they had to change their strategy if they wanted a chance to win, and it appeared that they had figured it out early. Giving the ball to “Iggy” to see what this NBA All-Star could do, he put up 7 points in the first minute and a half.

Photo: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard rules the paint

But every shot Iggy hit, the Magic had an answer to – for much of the quarter, the Sixers never got closer than 10. But after a few hit shots and a couple of lucky bounces, the 76ers found themselves down by only four points (66-62) with 5:46 left in the third. Maybe I should eat that Philly Cheese Mistake now.

Then again Philly went stagnant, finding themselves down 9 after at the end of three quarters, 79-70. Anderson had 22 for the Magic at this point, and Iggy led the stooges with 15.

Not sure if the 76ers were just playing that bad, or if the Magic’s defense was that good – either way the Magic started off the fourth going up 84-71. They never looked back. After some more basket matching and plenty of three’s for the Magic, the final score: Orlando Magic 103, Philadelphia 76ers 87.

Wow, the Sixers looked extremely out of sync with each other, turning the ball over more than usual and playing sloppy. It was like watching a bad college team. If this is what they look like on a regular basis, Philly fans shouldn’t expect to win anything anytime soon.

And they had been doing great at the start of the season.

Leading the way tonight for the Orlando Magic was none other than Ryan Anderson with 27 (he’s now one of the best in the league). Also in double figures for the Magic: D12 had 17 points (somewhat disappointing) and 14 rebounds, Jason Richardson (14), Jameer Nelson (12), J.J. Redick (12) and Hedo Turkoglu with 11 (he needs to wake up).

The top point scorers for the 76ers were Louis Williams with 21 points and 7 assists, Andre “Iggy” Iguodala (15 points, 5 boards and 4 assists) and Elton Brand (13 points).

Mike’s Pick

The Orlando Magic play their next game at home this Friday against the pesky Milwaukee Bucks. Matching up for the second time in a week, expect this one to have similar results as to the last time they played. Not much has changed other than Brandon Jennings‘ head continues to grow slightly as his stats continue to diminish (averaging just 10.3 ppg over the past 6 games).

Expect the Magic to win this one comfortably, especially with the way they have been playing as of late.

My Prediction: Magic 102, Bucks 91

Game Notes: Just like earlier this week, starting center Andrew Bogut is still out and the Bucks will be starting Drew Gooden in his place.

Position Advantage:

PG – Even

SG – Magic

SF – Magic

PF – Magic

C – Magic

Bench – Magic

By: Mike Yesenko/Sunshine Slate

Images: Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic

[Orlando, FL] With the NBA All-Star 2012 festivities headed to Orlando Feb. 23–26, fans will have ample opportunities to catch their favorite players in action in a variety of settings.

And the details have been finalized for the Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, NBA All-Star Practice, NBA Rising Stars Challenge and NBA All-Star Jam Session. To purchase tickets, visit NBA.com/allstar2012, the official web site for everything NBA All-Star 2012.

Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game (on sale now)

Film, TV and music celebs team up with NBA legends to show off their skills in what is usually a very entertaining game. The Sprint NBA Celebrity Game takes place Friday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. EST at NBA All-Star Jam Session, inside the Orange County Convention Center.

Tickets are $50 for upper bowl and $75 for lower bowl.

NBA All-Star Practice (on sale Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. EST)

The players and coaches from the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star teams hold their official practice session on NBA All-Star Jam Session’s Center Court, inside the Orange County Convention Center. The most celebrated practice in history takes place Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10:45 a.m. EST.

Tickets are $50 for upper bowl and $75 for lower bowl.

NBA Rising Stars Challenge (on sale Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. EST)

The NBA’s hottest rookies and second-year players show their stuff in the NBA Rising Stars Challenge, taking place Friday, Feb. 24 at 9:00 p.m. EST at the Amway Center.

Tickets are $35 for upper bowl and $50 for lower bowl.

NBA All-Star Jam Session (on sale Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. EST)

Fans can practice their skills, compete against their friends and collect free autographs from NBA players and legends during the NBA All-Star Jam Session. There’s even a Kids Zone for the littlest fans. Jam Session takes place at the Orange County Convention Center starting Thursday, Feb. 23 and goes through Sunday, Feb. 26.

Tickets for Feb.23 and Feb. 24 are $20 for adults, $12 for seniors, military and kids aged 3-12 and free for kids aged two and under. Tickets for Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors, military and kids aged 3-12 and free for kids aged two and under.

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

NBA All-Star