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NBA Basketball Friday: Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Bobcats
Dec 15th
One of the biggest surprises of the NBA Season has been the Orlando Magic. They currently sit atop the standings, and show no signs of slowing down. They have a player there now that was reminsint of a future hall of famer that started his career in Orlando. The player in the past I’m talking about is Shaq, the player of the present is Dwight Howard. Howard is averaging a remarkable 23 points a game to go along with 15 rebounds and three blocks, as well. Orlando was also the first team to knock off the Boston Celtics this year. I think we may expect to see Orlando and Boston playing to see who will determine the eastern conference team that plays in the NBA Finals.
The Bobcats are above .500, but have been slowly showing signs of improving. They have a very exciting, underrated player named Gerald Wallace who leads the team with 18.4 points a game. Wallace is known for his ability to dunk powerfully, but as of late he is starting to shoot better as well. Former UConn stand out Emeka Okafor is also averaging a double-double. The team has some upside, but probably not enough to hang with a young, fast, powerful team like the Magic. While I think the Bobcats will be able to hang in the game a little big, being they have a decent big man too, I think ultimately at the end the Magic will take it by 10-15 points.
NBA Basketball Saturday: New Jersey Nets vs. New York Knicks
Dec 15th
If it were up to most of New York, and the fans of the Knicks, they would have a new coach sooner before later. The Knicks are off to another tough start, losing a few games so badly that people have began to wonder if the players have given up on the team. Also, on a sad note. Point guard Stephon Marbury had to go through the awful news of hearing that his dad has passed away last week as Marbury was playing. The Knicks have shown signs of playing better lately, winning two of their last four, as of this writing, but things still seem to point south for them. A bright spot on the team has been the play of youngster Zach Randolp who leads the team in points and rebounds.
The New Jersey Nets have had a bit of an up and down season, sitting at about .500. Because of the emergence of teams like Orlando and Boston in the East, it will be that much harder for the older Nets to compete in the division at a high level. Most of their core players, including Jason Kidd and Vince Carter are in there 30’s. Leading the team in scoring is Richard Jefferson, with 25 a game.
With the unpredicted way the season is going for the Knicks I favor the Nets in this one. While it’s technically a home game for the Knicks, many Nets fans will be there, as they are just right over the state line.
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