Orlando's New Arena Lands 2012 NBA All-Star Game

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ Associated Press Writer

The NBA All-Star game is getting another Magic infusion.

Twenty years after hosting one of the most memorable moments in its history, the league's All-Star game and weeklong festivities will return to Orlando in 2012 at the Magic's new arena, NBA commissioner David Stern announced Tuesday.

Orlando also held the All-Star game in 1992, when Magic Johnson returned to basketball to win the Most Valuable Player award after his stunning retirement and acknowledgment he was HIV positive.

"It was an extraordinary and emotional time," Stern said. "To be able to hug him in front of a global audience and congratulate him, it was extraordinary."

The NBA clearly likes to take its midwinter break in sunshine.

Phoenix had the All-Star game last year, Dallas was this season's host — even though there was a large snowfall — and Los Angeles gets the game a record fifth time in 2011. New Orleans, Las Vegas and Houston had the game before that.

Playoff Game #7: Rockets at Lakers

Yoa Ming is out. And when it comes to Game 7s, you need your top performers to be in there. Kobe is going to get his. And without Ming, the Rockets have responded well. But it is crunch time.

There is NO need to delve into stats. In times like this, Superstars shine.

I will say this, the Lakers are 5-1 at home in the playoffs. The Rockets are 2-4 on the road.

Forecast: I don't like the Lakers. I am not a Laker fan... not now, not tomorrow, not the next day. With that said, the Lakers are better than the Rockets. The Rockets are without a key player, injured earlier in this series. This is where that injury will be felt, as the Lakers win this series and move onto the Nuggets. Score: 107-94.

Home Court

Playoff Game #3: Lakers at Rockets

I think everyone expects the Lakers to take this series. I wouldn't be so sure.

Yao Ming is still a force, almost as much as Kobe. If the Rockets were to gel as a team, this could become a rather huge upset. Beating the Lakers in LA isn't necessarily a cake walk. And the Rockets have done it once.

Key Players:

• Kobe Bryant averages 26.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists for the Lakers.
• Yao Ming average 19.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Rockets.
• P. Gasol averages 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Lakers.
• R. Artest averages 17.1 points, 5.2 boards, and 3.3 dishes for the Rockets.
• A. Bynum puts up 14.3 points, 8.0 boards, and 1.4 assists for the Lakers.
• L. Scola averages 12.7 points, 8.8 boards, and 1.5 assists for the Rockets.

The Lakers have the better numbers, albeit by a fairly slim margin overall.

Forecast: We are in Houston, which should give the Rockets a slight edge. The Lakers, well, they are for real. My gut tells me that the two games in Houston will be split. I like the Rockets in this one, although I am really not sure as to why. Rockets win this one, 97-96.

Home Court

Playoff Game 2: Rockets at Lakers

The Seasonal Series:

• Sunday, November 9th, 2008: The Lakers topped the Rockets in LA with a score of 111-82.
• Tuesday, January 13th, 2009: The Lakers topped the Rockets in Houston with a score of 105-100.
• Monday, March 9th, 2009: The Lakers take the third game between the two, again in Houston, with a score of 102-96.
• Friday, April 3rd, 2009: The Lakers complete the sweep in the season series, this one in LA, with a score of 93-81.

Then comes the playoffs. The Rockets take game one in LA with a score of 100-92. Surprised? I think everyone is a little shocked. Probably even the players, although they would most certainly not admit it.

A look at a few players:

• Yao Ming averages 15.8 points against LA with 10.3 rebounds and 3.25 blocks, not including what he did in Game One against LA in the playoffs.
• Ron Artest averages 13.3 points against LA but only two assists a game. The difference maker in Game One is that he had 21 points and seven assists. That indicates that they are moving the ball more and taking better shots.

Forecast: The Rockets win if the continue to do what they did in Game One. I think they have maybe figured out the Lakers, but I believe the Lakers will win in Game Two. Score: 108-99.

Home Plate

Game 54: Mavs at Rockets

I wanted to give an update to some teams listed on this site:

Texas Tornados: 1 Year off for facility rebuilding
Dallas Desperados: League stopped. Future unknown.
Austin Ice Bats: 1 year off for facility rebuilding
Dallas Diamonds: Season starts April 11th
Texas Wildcatters: I don’t know what in the world is going on with them. Disbanded?

Houston Comets: Disbanded from league.

The Mavericks are coming into this game winners of three of their last four games, with the last game coming against the Nets in which they won 113-98. Jason Terry is out with an injury dating back to February 7th and will be out six weeks from that date, which is March 21st. Houston has a 1/2 game lead over the Mavericks in their division. This game has a direct impact on the standings.

Mavericks Stats 08-09

Name	Dirk Nowitzki	Josh Howard	Jason Kidd	Brandon Bass
Points Per Game	25.9	17.9	9.1	8.3
Rebounds Per Game	8.3	5.1	6.3	4.4
Assists Per Game	2.3	1.8	8.5	0.5
Blocks Per Game	0.8	0.6	0.6	0.7

It looks weird without Terry on this list. Still, having Brandon Bass listed on here does show that this team has some strength beyond the top four. Still, missing a guy who brings 19.9 points a game hurts.

Rockets Stats 08-09

Name	Yao Ming	Ron Artest	Luis Scola	Rafer Alston
Points Per Game	19.8	15.9	12.3	11.5
Rebounds Per Game	9.6	5.2	8.1	3.0
Assists Per Game	1.7	3.1	1.3	5.4
Blocks Per Game	1.7	0.3	0.1	0.2

The Rockets are missing Tracy McGrady. In comparison to the Mavericks Terry, Terry averages more points a game than Yao Ming. Still, McGrady puts up 15.6 points a game and averages 5 assists a game. I'm not really sure who I would prefer to have on my team, comparing the two. I know I would want Yao Ming over any center the Mavericks have right now. But that is beside the point.

Forecast: These two teams are 1-1 against each other this season. Both teams have won three of their last four, with the Mavericks loss coming against Boston and Houston's loss coming against Milwaukee. Boston has the #2 record in the NBA. Milwaukee is three games under 500 and seeded 8th in the Eastern Conference right now. The edge goes to Mavericks there. For whatever reason, my gut is saying the home team on this one. Houston has the fourth best home record in the West and seventh in the NBA. Not bad. Rockets take this one, 99-96.

Home Court

Game 12: Mavs at Rockets

The Mavs go up against the Rockettes tonight in Houston. Houston is 7-4 and first in the division while the Mavs are tied with Memphis for the last spot in the division (with a record of 4-7).

The Mavs have won their last two games, as have the Rockets. The Mavs have done better than their opponents in everything but the points category. The wins will come. It would only make sense for the wins to come. And their opponents are scoring 99.3 points to the Mavs 98.8... so that isn't too far away.

The Rockets have already topped the Mavericks this season, on Oct 30, 2008 with a 112-102 score. I can't say that the Mavericks have changed much since then, but they are starting to play a little better basketball.

Rockets to Watch:

• Yao Ming: 16.9 PPG; 9.6 RPG; 1.6 Blocks
• Tracy McGrady: 15.9 PPG; 4.5 RPG; 4.6 APG
• Ron Artest: 14.5 PPG; 5.6 RPG
• Luis Scola: 11.9 PPG; 7 RPG

The Rockets dominate the glass. That's how they win. The Mavericks will need to hold the Rockets rebound game to a minimum to win.

Mavericks to Watch:

• Dirk Nowitzki: 24.7 PPG; 7.9 RPG
• Josh Howard: 20.3 PPG; 8.2 RPG
• Jason Terry: 17.1 PPG
• Jason Kidd: 9.6 PPG; 6.9 RPG; 8.4 APG

Forecast: This one is in Houston and the Mavericks like to win on the road (4-3 on the road). Houston likes to win and really wins at home (3-1). Look for the this to be a tough game for both teams but Houston will prevail in a Mavericks back-to-back game. Score: 99-94.

Home Plate

Some Picks to Start the Day

Tuesday, December 13th, 2005

NBA
Spurs (16-4) vs. LA Clippers (14-6)
Spurs are coming off a loss to the Hawks, who snapped a 7 game loosing streak. The Hawks are easily the worst team in the NBA and the Spurs are the best team in the NBA. And the Clippers are for real this year. They are actually the best team in LA. The Spurs are the best team in Texas (did I say that?). The Spurs seem to have a problem winning on Saturday… not sure why that is. They take off the weekend, maybe? Anyway, this one is in San Antonio and the Spurs have a 9-1 record at home. This should be a good game, but still will go to SA simply because the Clippers have trouble on the road. The score, I will say 105-93.

Wednesday, December 14th, 2005

NBA
Rockets (7-12) vs. Golden State Warriors (12-8)
Rockets have a three game win streak right now, which should be in consideration. Coming into today, Golden State is on a two game slide, loosing to two respectable teams (Phoenix and Detroit). Seattle shouldn’t put up to much of a problem, although the Warriors are going to have to put up some points to take it away from them. The Warriors are slightly better at home than on the road, and Houston is pretty much even Steven wherever they play. My gut for whatever reason says Houston, since Golden State is playing back-to-back games, but logic says Warriors can beat Houston even under such conditions. And I will go with logic today. Maybe tomorrow, after gut proves right, will I go with that. 100-92.

Mavs (15-6) vs. Suns (13-7)
Ah, the whole reason for putting these picks together. So much grief and rig-a-ma-roo over one game in a 82 game season. Let me say it now – GO MAVS!! – and there you have it. So, let’s look at the stats which will justify my picking the Mavs, because we all know I will pick the Mavs, right? Mavs play hard on the road and at home, look at the records. Phoenix has barely been on the road thus far this season. I need I remind everyone that Phoenix started the season 0-1? The Suns had a 17 point lead and then lost… tisk, tisk, tisk. Mavs coming off a loss and Phoenix coming off of two. Phoenix can score points, but can’t tell that by the last three games. Dallas seems to lack “the put away” and when they get a strong lead, it diminishes. (Is this football or basketball?) So, I think being two quality teams, it will be a close one, at least in the fourth quarter and the Mavs will walk away a winner unless Phil Jackson hits Dirk in the head and walks away… OK, well he didn’t hit him in the head, but he walked away without showing concern. Very unprofessional in my mind and it caused his team to do the same, again unprofessional. Score: 108-103.

NHL
Stars (19-7-1) vs. Buffalo Sabres (19-10-1)
Do note, the Stars have won 11 of their last 13 and play as a team. A very solid team this year… even better than last year, in which they went undefeated, but winless as well. You know what bums me out, I tried to sign up my son to be a junior Star and they mailed me back a letter saying they don’t do that anymore. WHAT? A sport that is coming off a long work stoppage and not wanting to re-gather a fan base? I simply don’t understand that. Very well, I have only been to two games since they moved here, and maybe that will stay the case for a while longer. As far as points are concerned, these two teams are even. 39 points for each team. Dallas leads their division, Buffalo is second in theirs. Stars have won 5 in a row, Buffalo only 3, but the last loss for Buffalo was a 5 to zero shutout given from San Jose. Stars on average have given up 2 goals over the last 5 games, while scoring more than 3 ½ goals in the process. Buffalo has injuries and Dallas does not. Dallas will win and Buffalo win not. Houdini says the score will be 4-2.

Picks to Sunday

Friday, November 4th

NBA
Spurs (1-0) vs. Cavaliers (1-0)
Spurs are awesome. The Cavaliers manhandled the Hornets. Spurs are home. Spurs have Duncan, Finley, Nick at Night, and everybody else who can just do right in the world of basketball. So, the story goes… James will not be enough for the Cavaliers to win. Pure and simple, Spurs are going to take this one. Score: 107-101.

NHL
Stars (6-5-1) vs. Blackhawk’s (4-9-0)
Well, Chicago is just stinking up the ice… If it wasn’t for Vorobiev, would they have any wins at all? If the Stars contain him, they walk away with a win easy. If they don’t, well they still win, it just won’t be as easy. The question I am thinking of this early into the season is will they make the playoffs? Too early to tell, but if Chicago takes them out, then the most likely answer would be ‘NO.’ Dallas over Chicago – Score: 5-2.

Saturday, November 5th

NBA
Mavs (1-1) vs. Spurs (1-0)
The Mavs had some time off, but will rest be enough for the homecoming of Finley? Man, if only the Mavs had Fin and Nick at Night, I would think we could make a strong run again. Not that 50+ wins is something to be ashamed about, but when you are in the same division as the Spurs, what can you do but just lie down and die. I do think they will come out to play and that this game is going to be close, but I have a reality check telling me the Mavs will start 1-2 this season and the Spurs 3-0. Score: 99-97.

Rockets (1-0) vs. Hornets (1-1)
Ming around the rosés, pocket full of poses, ashes – ashes, we all fall down… And so do the Hornets… but, the relocation experiment may do them well. First in Charlotte. Next in New Orleans, and now shacking up in the OK country. But this is not going to be played at “home,” wherever that may be… it’s in a place that is one place closer to you. Houston will win this one, simply because of home court, and the Hornets have impressed me, but let’s be honest. I’m fickle. The Hornets did beat the Rockets by 1 in pre-season, but that was at their house. In Houston, things are different. Score: 92-89.

NHL
Stars (6-5-1) vs. Avalanche (7-4-1)
Denver… a real beautiful area, but hockey players are not known for their looks, are they. Colorado is 5-2-1 at home, and the Stars are 3-1 on the road. But we hate the Avalanche (professionally, not personally). Sour grapes all around. These two teams are going to beat each other senseless. I will take the Avalanche on this one, simply because of home-ice as they call it (and they have won their last 4 games, all at home). Score: 5-4.

Sunday, November 6th

NFL
Panthers (5-2) vs. Buccaneers (5-2)
Are you ready for some football? Me neither. When’s baseball season start again? Cowboys are off… but aren’t they always? Anyway, the mighty-mighty-boss-cats take the stage on Sunday, which will be a great game. Two juggernauts facing off… man, am I using stock lines? Shame on me. Bucs vs. the Cats, should be fun to watch. After a 1-2 start, the Cats have won their last 4, and with the exception of Minnesota, they were close games (4 or less points of victory). They have held opponents under 20 points only twice thus far (New England and Minnesota) and in my opinion, hasn’t really had any victories to truly boast about. I am starting to wonder if the record is more by chance than skill. Tampa Bay on the other hand is a defensive genius. But here is the real concern with them. They were beaten by San Francisco. And right now, that is just outright embarrassment. My 83 year old grandma can beat the 49ers. My six month old can sack their quarterback. The 49ers rank last in 3rd down conversions at 25.9%. In comparison, the Colts, who are a strong favorite to go Supe, have a 51.9%. That’s more than twice as many based on the same chances. I think this may be a close one, the Panthers are better in my mind (they rank second on third downs, behind the Colts). Score: 20-17.

Bears (4-3) vs. Saints (2-6)
Well, I guess I have to look at this one… Saints suck. But let’s look at a few things. Saints have a better offense, statistically, but score less points on average. They have scored over 20 points only twice, and are 1-1 when that happens. They are 0-3 when they score 10 points or less. Green Bay beat them in the embarrass bowl 52-3 on 10/9. Embarrassing the Saints is a common theme this year. I think they should be thinking draft the rest of the way… put defensive linemen who are on crutches into the game and focus off-season. I think Quincy Carter is free right now… Now, the Bears. After starting 1-3, they have won the last 3 and moved into first place in their division. They get less yards than their opponents, but score more points. Do they give them a false sense of security or something? Look for Jones to rush for a million yards (actually, I would say more like 110) and Orton to pass another 200. Bears dominate because Saints don’t show up (again). Score: 21-7.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday, November 1st

NBA
Mavs (0-0) vs. Suns (0-0)
Wow-E-Wow! The season begins. This one starts in the land of the hot sun. And with Nash attack, Captain MVP, who is going to take this one? Well, for the NBA title, I don’t there is much doubt that the Spurs are just in wait for the trophy, but getting there could be fun to watch. Stranger things, am I right? So, let’s see. Suns will try to score a ton of points. Dallas is going to try to slow things down. Both went 6-2 in pre. Amare is out for 4 months. That could be the edge Dallas needs, but I am skeptical at best on this one. Amare was the Suns leading scorer last year. And he is gone. Nash is a magician and this is his former team… Dirk is looking for redemption. AJ feels confident, but he is the coach and that is his job. I… will say the intangibles go to Dallas, but I am scared to say it. Mavs take this one on a squeaker, score: 95-92

Spurs (0-0) vs. Nuggets (0-0)
Spurs: doesn’t that say it all? This team could beat any Olympic dream team any day… OK, maybe not the first dream team, but they could give them a run for their money. Spurs win this one: 1,000,000-95. (Reality, 99-92)

Wednesday, November 2nd

NBA
Mavs (1-0) vs. Jazz (0-0)
Well, the Jazz just don’t play. 2-5 in pre is definitely nothing to brag about. In a word: rebuild. For the Mavs: cakewalk. Prediction: Mavs take it, 105-89.

Rockets (0-0) vs. Kings (0-1)
This should be a good game. I like Yo-Yo. I mean, Yao-Yao. Do you get the Ming of what I am saying? I mean the meaning? This is the opener for the Rockets. The Kings second game on the road, so with the Rockets at home against a back to back Kings, it could be interesting. Intangibles definitely go to the Rockets. Well, the Sheriff (Shareef) is going to be in town, and the Kings are picked for tops in their division. I’m not sold on it yet, though. They will make the playoffs, but won’t go far in my book. Being this is the first for Houston, home court, Kings going back to back road nights, Rockets will win this one. Score: 91-87.

NHL
Stars (6-4-1) vs. Kings (8-4-0)
The Kings play hockey, too? OK, let’s do it again… the Sheriff… oh wait, the LA Kings… gotcha. Again, should be a good game between these two, if you like hockey. Not a big fan, but doing this blog, I am gaining interest… LA is 6-3 at home, Stars are 3-1 on the road. Stars are better away from here… interesting. LA and Dallas are first and second, respectfully, in their division. Stars, even with a winning record, have given up more points than scored, whereas LA is killer. They have scored 11 more goals than their opponents. So, I don’t know if I really need to dig for more stats. That tells me pretty much the goods on this game. Kings take this one. Score: 4-2.