ORLANDO MAGIC (14-9) 102, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (8-13) 94
Amway Center
Friday
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED: The Magic have now beaten the Cavs seven times in a row, including their last four meetings in Orlando.

This team is going nowhere fast this year. Something is missing. Some think there is a black cloud hanging over the Magic caused by the trade demand made by All-Star center Dwight Howard. Is he naive enough to think that's not affecting his team? Apparently.,

He sees all the other players who forced their way out of other teams and he wants some of that for himself. What he's done is ruined this team.

Howard finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocks. He swatted at least three shots by Cavs guard Kyrie Irving, who really didn't impact the game. He ended with 18 points, four rebounds and six assists.

It was reserve forward Alonzo Gee who was the star of the night with a career-high 20 points, five rebounds and one block. He made 3 of 4 from behind the 3-point arc.

Center Anderson Varejao was also very good, at least on the boards with 15 rebounds. He added 12 points, three steals and a block.

Forward Antawn Jamison didn't shoot the ball well (6 of 19), but he pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds. The Cavs couldn't "throw it in the ocean." They shot 36.7 percent from the field.

With 3 minutes left in the game, the Cavs decided to Hack-a-Howard. They sent him to the line 16 times. He made nine. It helped them get back in the game, but it wasn't enough.

Coach Byron Scott dusted off backup center Semih Erden to defend Howard. Erden hadn't played in the previous five games. He didn't score, but had four rebounds.

Speaking of hitting the boards, the Cavs pulled down a season-high 57 rebounds, including 18 on the offensive glass.

The Cavs played without three injured players: shooting guard Anthony Parker (strained lower back) and Daniel Gibson (neck infection) and forward/center Tristan Thompson (sprained left ankle). None of them made the trip to Orlando. My guess is that Gibson might attempt to play against Dallas on Saturday.

The Magic were without starting point guard Jameer Nelson and suspended forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis. He reportedly threw a tantrum after the morning shootaround. And to think, he doesn't want people to call him "Baby." 

ALL STAR RESERVES: All-Star reserves will be announced Feb. 9 on TNT. The following are the TNT analysts' picks for the Eastern Conference All-Star reserves. Note: Someone dear to Cavs fans' hearts is missing from every ballot. They will actually be selected by the 30 head coaches:
Charles Barkley 
Chris Bosh                Miami Heat               Forward
Deron Williams            New Jersey Nets          Guard
Joe Johnson               Atlanta Hawks            Guard
Josh Smith                Atlanta Hawks            Forward
Andre Iguodala            Philadelphia 76ers       Forward
Danny Granger             Indiana Pacers           Forward
Darren Collison           Indiana Pacers           Guard
Shaquille O’Neal

Joe Johnson               Atlanta Hawks            Guard
Josh Smith                Atlanta Hawks            Forward
Roy Hibbert               Indiana Pacers           Center
Andre Iguodala            Philadelphia 76ers       Forward
Chris Bosh                Miami Heat               Forward
Amar’e Stoudemire         New York Knicks          Forward
Rajon Rondo               Boston Celtics           Guard
Kenny Smith

Joe Johnson               Atlanta Hawks            Guard
Josh Smith                Atlanta Hawks            Forward
Roy Hibbert               Indiana Pacers           Center
Chris Bosh                Miami Heat               Forward
Danny Granger             Indiana Pacers           Forward
Carlos Boozer             Chicago Bulls            Forward
Louis Williams            Philadelphia 76ers       Guard
Chris Webber

Joe Johnson                 Atlanta Hawks             Guard
Josh Smith                  Atlanta Hawks             Forward
Roy Hibbert                 Indiana Pacers            Center
Chris Bosh                  Miami Heat                Forward
Andre Iguodala              Philadelphia 76ers        Forward
Jrue Holiday                Philadelphia 76ers        Guard
Ray Allen                   Boston Celtics            Guard
Ernie Johnson

Rajon Rondo                 Boston Celtics            Guard
Joe Johnson                 Atlanta Hawks             Guard
Chris Bosh                  Miami Heat                Forward
Luol Deng                   Chicago Bulls             Forward
Roy Hibbert                 Indiana Pacers            Center
Josh Smith                  Atlanta Hawks             Forward
Andre Iguodala              Philadelphia 76ers        Forward
 

UP NEXT: The Cavs will host Dallas at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena. 

STARTERS

SF Omri Casspi (6-9, 225) vs. Hedo Turkoglu (6-10, 220)
PF Antawn Jamison (6-9, 235) vs. Ryan Anderson (6-10, 240)
C Anderson Varejao (6-11, 260) vs. Dwight Howard (6-11, 275)
SG Mychel Thompson (6-6, 211) vs. Jason Richardson (6-6, 225)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 191) vs. Chris Duhon (6-1, 190) 
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – G Anthony Parker, F Tristan Thompson, G Daniel Gibson 
Magic - G Jameer Nelson, F Glen Davis 
OFFICIALS
Tony Brothers, Eli Roe, Haywoode Workman