By Josh Cohen

There are many reasons why an NBA game is scheduled for 48 minutes. Most importantly, it’s impossible to properly decide a winner off anything less.

The Orlando Magic rebounded from a lethargic first quarter to dominate the Milwaukee Bucks, 99-82, for their fourth straight victory and seventh in their past eight games. It was also Orlando’s ninth straight triumph at home against Milwaukee.

Dwight Howard raised his play after a sluggish opening 12 minutes to rack up 22 points and 11 rebounds, his 10th straight double-double and 37th of the season. Vince Carter, meanwhile, notched his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

The Magic held the Bucks to only 10 second-quarter points, tying a season low for fewest points allowed in the second quarter. Moreover, Orlando accumulated eight blocked shots, five from Howard. It also limited rookie sensation Brandon Jennings to just two points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field.

Jameer Nelson (knee) and Mickael Pietrus (ankle) each sat out.

By Dan Savage

This past month was not kind to Vince Carter. In 14 games this January, the eight-time All-Star averaged just 8.7 points per game, made only 28.3 percent of his field goal attempts and was held to 22.4 percent shooting on his 3-pointers.

But perhaps February holds greener pastures. With his former head coach in attendance (Lawrence Frank), Mr. Half Man, Half Amazing erupted for 15 of his 17 points in the first half to set the tone in Orlando's blowout victory over Milwaukee. Carter rounded out a well-balanced performance with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

"This is a guy who's had unbelievable success," Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy explained. "That's what defines him, not one month. I think he's got to keep that in mind."

While Carter has vehemently denied that this rough stretch has had any mental impact on him, perhaps he should take the advice of his head coach and play with the same confidence of a young man who once dunked over a 7'2" center.

By Josh Cohen

The solution to seeming like the Albert Einstein of sports around your friends and/or enemies is to know current winning/losing streaks. Let’s dissect this for a moment:

If you randomly deliver a fact around the office water cooler such as, “Heading into tonight’s game, the Orlando Magic had defeated the Milwaukee Bucks eight straight times at home” you would not only seem up on your sports knowledge but you would be always noted as a real Magic fanatic.

Thus, after the Magic’s impressive victory on Tuesday, remember the next time when the Bucks come to O-Town to yell out to anyone around; “The Magic have beaten the Bucks nine consecutive times at home!” and I promise, you will be considered a sports genius.

If you really want to seem imposing to your adversaries and be a show off, you may want to spit out; “Dwight Howard has recorded 10 straight double-doubles!”

Don’t feel obligated, however. The Magic still look at you as a true fan.

By Josh Cohen

He was one of the pioneers of the franchise. Selected by the newly-formed Orlando Magic in the 1989 Expansion Draft, Scott Skiles would become one of the organization’s original superstars.

Now the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Skiles became the all-time NBA single-game assists leader when he dished out an extraordinary 30 assists with Orlando in a game against Denver on Dec. 30, 1990. The defensive-oriented player (now coach) earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award that season.

On the 19-year anniversary of when Skiles set that remarkable record (Dec. 30 of this season), the former point guard watched his old team (the Magic) set the record for best second-half shooting percentage (.784) in NBA history.

Nevertheless, there is always reason to celebrate any time Skiles walks into Amway Arena. There are so many phenomenal memories to reflect upon and cherish when reminiscing one of the best role models to ever wear a Magic uniform.

By Dan Savage

Want to know the secret to having a winning franchise in the NBA? Get good players and have them remain healthy.

If the second part of that equation doesn't quite work out, you better have stocked piled enough talent and depth to overcome whatever injuries challenge your squad. Magic GM Otis Smith has followed this plan and once again it's paying off.

With Jameer Nelson (knee) sidelined, backup point guard Jason Williams again displayed his value by entering the starting rotation and playing a near flawless contest. White Chocolate registered 11 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists, while not committing a single turnover.

"For him not to have a turnover that's so key for us," Stan Van Gundy said. "I thought he was in control of that game."

Orlando was also missing valuable sixth man Mickael Pietrus, but it didn't seem to matter. J.J. Redick played extended minutes off the pine, going a scorching 4-for-5 from the field and posting 15 points.

Matt Barnes: “Vince played great tonight. You know Vince’s in a little slump right now but I mean he’s been a great player throughout his career. He’ll get out of it and I think games like this are going to help him.”

Vince Carter: “I told Dwight that I was going to try and outrebound him so he better look over his shoulder. Just kidding."

“If teams don’t want to take their body off Dwight sometimes, so I try to be as aggressive as possible and take what was there. "

Dwight Howard: “We tried not to let them get it into the paint. And then if they did, me and Marcin would try to be there and block their shots."

Stan Van Gundy: “Seven assists tonight, 10 rebounds, there’s not much to fault there. We left him on the floor for a long, long time tonight, which was good. He hasn’t been picking up huge minutes so that’ll push his conditioning out a little bit."

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