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The Magic came out scolding hot as Miami struggled to find any offensive consistency throughout, as the northern Floridians took the bragging rights in their first meeting of the season.

Miami were held to their lowest first quarter total all season, 18 points, tonight in Orlando and really fought themselves all night as they shot well under 50%, not a statistic the Heat have been familiar with so far this season.

Dwyane Wade was the only shining light for Miami, scoring a typically brilliant 33 points on 15/24 shooting. LeBron James had perhaps his worst shooting performance of his hugely efficient season, shooting a miserable 5/15, but as only he can do, still managed to contribute with 10 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

Chris Bosh continued his poor run of form, again failing to score 20 points, finishing with just 12. Do not hold me to this, but I do not believe Bosh has scored over 20 since Dwyane Wade returned from his foot injury. He may have once, but certainly no more than that.

The Magic deserve all the credit. They superbly locked down LeBron James, something no other team has been able to do thus far this season. They hit 40% of their 42 three point attempts and their departing leader Dwight Howard notched up an impressive 25 points and 24 rebounds. Miami had no answer for Howard, and it again shows their inability to guard the center position. Luckily for the Heat, the quality of centre’s in the league right now is perhaps at its lowest ever point, should Howard stunningly remain in north Florida, the Magic simply aren’t good enough to beat Miami in a best of 7 series. I don’t believe anyone is.

Nonetheless Miami lost ground in their bid to catch Chicago, still with 2 games in hand, but still an opportunity lost on the first of their six consecutive road games.

It was perhaps Miami’s scrappiest, least flashy win of the season thus far, but the win takes them to a league best 12-2 at home and a strong 19-6 record overall.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade scored a fairly uneventful 50 points between them, both adding 6 assists.

The least pleasing aspect of the game for me was the turnovers. Miami finished with 16 against high lottery team, and despite them having some decent defensive players and a good defensive coach, the majority of the Heat’s turnovers were just lazy and unforced. LeBron James had, in my opinion, his worst game of the season. He still managed 24, 6 and 5, but the turnovers were at times, abysmal, and he didn’t quite look himself.

The Heat did a good job keeping Kyrie Irving off the score sheet, with the standout rookie finishing 5/15 from the field. Regardless of that, the Australian born (WOOHOO) point guard managed 6 rebounds and 6 assists on top of 15 points, better than any other rookie could hope to do in 30 minutes against the league’s best team.

Udonis Haslem was the standout of the game for Miami, finishing with 18 and 8 off the bench, his best offensive game of the season and his best offensive game since LeBron brought his talents to South Beach. As LeBatard would say, that latter statement is a ‘MADE UP STAT’ but I would be surprised should it not be the case.

Miami head on a six game road trip starting tomorrow against the Magic. Hardly a serious away game, but it may be the last time we see Dwight Howard rivalling the Heat for Floridian dominance.

In the least cared about Heat game in the history of their franchise, Miami dominated throughout but again struggled late against Chris Bosh’s former Toronto Raptors.

Miami cruised through the first three quarters, looking likely to blow their unfancied rivals out of the water, but were unable to do so, allowing the youthful Raptors back into the game.

It was the first Heat game of the season I missed, as I was busy watching a different sporting event (take a guess, yes that’s right, Australia’s women’s hockey team playing a friendly against New Zealand), and accidentally caught the highlights on SportsCenter, thus ruining my interest in watching 2 hours of Toronto.

LeBron continued his hugely efficient season, finishing with 30 points off just 17 shots. He also shot a pleasing 10/12 from the line.

The hard to determine DeMarr DeRozan scored an entertaining 25 points. I can’t figure that dude out. Sometimes he shows the whole package, other times he just looks like another super athlete with no real skill.

Either way, no one really cares about this game at all. I’ll have another post a little later reflecting on the Super Bowl 24 hours following its dramatic conclusion.

So the day is now well and truly upon us. The world’s greatest single sporting event is just a few hours away.

Nothing quite compares to the Super Bowl.

It’s one of those special events that compels each and every sports fan around the world, regardless of their interest in the sport. Few other events can honestly say the same.

Super Bowl XLVI promises to add something a little different with a little more meaning. It is round 2 of the fiercely growing rivalry between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants.

It was four years ago today that the Giants shocked the world. The undefeated and heavily favoured Patriots headed into Arizona without too much cause for concern. Brady and Moss had set the league alight, breaking a series of stunning records, and few believed the Giants could stop them. How they were wrong.

But this isn’t about Super Bowl XLII, this is much more.

Both teams will play it down, but there is no doubting this game has revenge written all over it.

Few argue that Brady is the best quarterback in the game, and few argue he is one of the greatest of all time. Should he win today he may go down as the single greatest. The master in command, Bill Belichick, who few argue is the greatest coach in the game and few argue is one of the greatest of all time, is too in search for further justification as to why he is considered to be these things. Both have their eyes on their fourth championship.

On the other side, the man better known as ‘Peyton’s little brother’ is quickly earning the reputation as ‘maybe better than his brother?’. Whilst I do not buy into it, what he has done throughout the course of the past month and a half has been nothing short of phenomenal. You can say the same for the most part of the season. He has, at times, single handedly brought back the Giants from the abyss, never more evident than their most recent clash against their rival Patriots in Foxborough.

Tom Coughlin, the much maligned and often disliked coach of the Giants, was having his head called for throughout the course of last season and at times during this current competition. He has stuck to his hard nosed, old school approach, which as unappealing as it may seem, has worked wonders for the Giants when they needed it most. Their front four is as good as any in the game, their pass rush is unmatched and their receivers are quickly becoming the most talented group in the league.

In my opinion, it largely comes down to this.

The best always find a way. We saw this in the National Championship game earlier this year. Both teams had something close to a month, if not more, between the end of their seasons and the biggest game of their collegiate careers. LSU were undefeated, but Alabama were the favourites. LSU were in better form, but Alabama had the coach. LSU had a better all round team, but Alabama had the better players where they are most important.

When you give someone like Nick Saban that long to prepare, bad things are going to happen to the opponent. When you beat Nick Saban, he does not let you beat him again without the greatest fight of your life.

Can you see the point I am trying to make? As I write this the parallels become even more apparent even to myself.

Brady and Belichick were truly humbled by the Giants 4 years ago. But you do not keep the great ones down. I have no doubt that both these warriors have been waiting for an opportunity to avenge the most unbelievable loss in Super Bowl history.

I am a betting man, and I am surprised the hype surrounding the Giants has not pushed the Patriots to higher odds. I will offer a tip though.

The best always come out on top, and whilst the Giants have peaked at the right time and certainly offer the more balanced team, I cannot ignore greatness. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will hit New York with everything they have. They will have their revenge.

New England Patriots 24 – 14 New York Giants

The game started oddly, and the strangeness remained as both the Heat and 76ers failed to get into a groove all night.

It was a tremendously uncomfortable showdown between the second and third best teams in the Eastern Conference, with neither able to put together a consistent quarter.

The deficit constantly yo-yoed with the Heat holding the narrow lead through the majority of the first three quarters.

LeBron James came out stone cold compared to his avalanche of points against Milwaukee two nights ago. He started 1/6 and finished with just 19 points, but added 12 rebounds and 8 assists.

Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 26, but he too was unable to find a rhythm throughout the game.

It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Miami started to click on the offensive end and completely shut down Philadelphia on the defensive end. With help from Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem, the Heat went on a late surge to end up winning easily, but the scoreboard certainly flattered the team from South Beach.

The 76ers had 5 scorers in double figures, but none over 16 points. Andre Igoudala failed to make an offensive impact as he was smothered for the most of the game by LeBron James. Thaddeus Young was the 76ers most consistent player and he led the team with 16 points on 7/14 shooting.

The numbers left over from the game largely told the tale. Miami finished around 50% from the field, but that was only because of their late flurry. Philly shot under 40%. The Heat made just 55% of their 20 free throws, and had just 19 assists on 40 field goals.

The usually strong rebounding 76ers lost that battle by 9, largely due to their poor shooting. The most surprising aspect of the game was Philadelphia outscoring Miami on the fast break 18-10. They also beat Miami 40-36 in the paint.

This win can be largely put down to the outside shooting of Miller, Cole and Chalmers.

The 2012 All Star Game starters have been announced and there was only really one genuine surprise.

The typical superstars of the league filled out their assumed positions.

The West saw the incumbent backcourt of Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant, a look at what the Lakers starting guards may have looked like if not for David Stern. Blake Griffin makes his first start along side Kevin Durant. Andrew Bynum was the huge shock of the selections, making the West starters at center. Clearly the depth of the position in the league wanes severely after that of Dwight Howard.

The East had no surprises and most would have guessed the starting lineup before the voting even began. I know I did.

Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade complete an incredibly athletic backcourt, and both call Chicago their hometown. LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony will be partnered in the forward positions, the first time the two best friends have played on the same competitive team since their days in the AA youth representative teams. The leading vote getter of all players, Dwight Howard (surprisingly low 1.6 million votes) fills out the starting 5 for the East.

You compare both teams and to me the East hold the advantage in every position. Sure this is an All Star game and it is largely an entertainment spectacle, but the fourth quarter usually sees both teams go at it trying to win the game.

So the East certainly have the better starters, and they too will have a much better bench. Think of all the stars that didn’t make the starters. Amare Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, Andrew Bogut, John Wall, most of whom would be starters for the Western team.

However, the most talented team doesn’t necessarily win the game, as it’s such an unpredictable affair.

Nonetheless the league is experiencing a plethora of stars the likes of which it has never seen before. The quality in the upper echelon of talent is rising and this means the All Star games will get better.

Get ready Orlando, not only will you be seeing the greatest show on earth, but you will be witnessing the farewell of Dwight Howard.

LeBron James started the game as hot as a blowtorch as the King produced one of the most individual scoring quarters we have seen in a very long time.

James went 8/9 from the field en route to a stunning 24 point first quarter, jumping Miami out to a perfect and needed start against a team that humbled the Heat in Miami just over a week ago.

LeBron slowed from there, scoring a further 16 points over the remaining three quarters, adding 8 rebounds and 5 assists to fill out the stat sheet in typical style.

Miami were in complete control at the half and threatened to move into an unassailable lead, but in true Scott Skiles fashion, the Bucks came out of the half energised and consistently threatened and stopped Miami for the first time in the game. On the back of a stunning performance from streaky star Brandon Jennings, who had 7 three pointers, Milwaukee rallied and took the lead from Miami, who were unable to stem the bleeding.

Uncharacteristically, Miami’s defense looked conservative, unresponsive and failed to close out on the Bucks shooters. The speed, awareness and sixth sense communication of the Heat’s defense has been the backbone of the team’s success thus far this season, but they looked nothing of the side they normally are.

The Bucks played great team offense, registering 30 assists on 39 field goals, a stunning number. Aside from this, Milwaukee lost nearly every other major statistical comparison, yet still managed to close out Miami without too much trouble.

We find ourselves blowing up over every Heat flaw. People asking for Dwyane Wade to be traded, LeBron to take no shots down the stretch, calling Bosh a bust, determining their 1 and 5 positions as woeful and basically anything else we can find that isn’t perfect with the team.

I think we need to realise that even Jordan’s Bulls had huge flaws and certainly had bad nights against bad teams.

Let’s try and keep everything in perspective.

If you are familiar with me and this blog, you will know very well how critical I have been of Derrick Rose.

When I first expressed my dissatisfaction towards the unwarranted love and elevation of the Bulls’ guard, I was a part of perhaps a one many minority. I am proud to say my two favourite sports media figures, Colin Cowherd and Dan LeBatard have since joined the outcasts, but we are still very much that.

That being said, he has impressed me thus far this year and I can say absolutely nothing bad on the character of the guy. From all accounts he is one of the most humble and genuine professional athletes you will meet, and I think that is reflected well by the way he handles himself on the court. No one is disputing that.

I still believe he is tremendously overrated because of his athleticism and his ability to make those SportsCenter Top 10 plays. He isn’t a pure point guard, rather one of these new breed of shoot first, turnover later guards like Russell Westbrook and John Wall. I much prefer my point guard to be like Chris Paul or Deron Williams. But he’s still certainly a top 10 player.

Let’s throw all of that aside and try and move forward with the issue. Derrick Rose needs help, and boy does he know it.

Perhaps we’ve never actually seen the real Derrick Rose. Perhaps this 9/28 shooting hog is not the man Chicago drafted. Whilst his supporting cast looks like the Dream Team compared to LeBron’s merry men in Cleveland, they aren’t even close to being good enough to beat Miami in a best of 7 series.

Joakim Noah is an unhygienic alien who is more interested in insulting the teams and players he is versing than boxing them out. Carlos Boozer is living up to the reputation he earned from lying to the Cavaliers and has proven to be the worst max contract player the league has seen in some time.

The funnies thing is, neither of these two players, who were supposed to be the foundations upon which Chicago would launch their championship assault, are even playing in the fourth quarter of games because their own coach has no faith in them. Instead he is looking to Taj Gibson and Asik off the bench to play around 9 of the 12 fourth quarter minutes. It’s unbelievable. From a Chicago point of view it’s infuriating, but from a Derrick Rose point of view it’s sad.

Rose is having to take 20-30 shots a game against the best teams to give the Bulls a shot. He still has no second option, rather three or four 3rd options.

Everyone was celebrating the fact they signed Richard Hamilton and he was supposed to be the guy to help them beat Miami. This was not just Bulls fans believing this, there were plenty of people at the almighty ESPN who too were on the bandwagon. They should be ashamed. What a ridiculous thing to say. I don’t know how these people have jobs. Hamilton turns 34 years old in 2 weeks.

34 years old! In his prime he wasn’t close to being a top 10 player. He wasn’t even a top 5 shooting guard?! So people are calling an ageing guy who’s best attribute was running around for 48 minutes off the ball, of which he can no longer do nearly as effective, the saviour of a championship contender?

Sad.

Derrick Rose knows it. Perhaps that’s why he averages just 8 assists per game. Perhaps that’s why he takes 8 shots per quarter, making 8 field goals per game.

Maybe my criticism of Rose was unfair. He may well be the pure point guard in the Paul/Williams/Nash/Rondo mould.

Who knows?

We may be able to find out.

Late last year when Dwight Howard officially requested a trade, leading to him releasing a shortlist of teams he wished to be traded to, I was stunned to see one team omitted. The Chicago Bulls.

Supposedly Howard had no interest in moving to Chicago, as he felt it was no more of an image heightening market than Orlando. Clearly the idea of winning was not a real factor for ‘Superman’ (I put that in inverted commas because Shaquille O’Neal is Superman, so basically the commas mean sarcasm).

Surely he would have noticed they have this kid called Derrick Rose who is one good player away from seriously threatening Miami for the title of the league’s best team.

It wasn’t until a few days ago that Howard considered moving into the house that Jordan built.

“If I could play with Derrick right now and God wanted that to happen, it will happen. It has nothing to do with me not wanting to play with Derrick Rose. I love him. That’s my brother”.

First things first, the religious reference is more Dwight Howard bullshit. No I am not saying he is not a true christian, of course he is, nor am I saying the religion or religion itself is bullshit, but this is typical Dwight Howard. The guy is a phoney as they come. He constantly goes back on his word, like he did through the initial stages of his trade request, trying to save face and ensure he is still loved by everyone. I truly believe he cares more about sustaining a good image and being generally liked than winning. Big call yes, but I say it with 100% confidence. He’s full of it.

There’s two ways of looking at this, but they both may fit. Either Howard is using the religious reference to appeal to the general religious America, almost aligning himself with the Tebow phenomenon. No one is going to argue with him should he cite God.

The other thought is that this is just another Howard cover up to save face and ensure he does not receive blame for fantasising about other teams. He is so concerned with his image that he would use his religion as a shield to he could manoeuvre himself into the team he wished.

Reports suggest New Jersey/Brooklyn are still front runners to get Howard, and are his no.1 preferred destination. I wonder why…cough biggest market.

One thing is for sure, he will not be traded until after the All Star game. How devastating would it be if Dwight Howard returned to Orlando for the All Star game wearing the uniform of another franchise. There’s no way the Magic will let that happen. Also Brook Lopez will be back from injury around this time, meaning every team will be loaded to make their final bids for the game’s best center.

If I am the Chicago Bulls, I am offering everything but Derrick Rose. I’d give them Noah, Boozer, Deng, the United Center, Michael Jordan’s statue and Michigan Avenue Bridge. We’ll throw in Michael Wilbon and the nice old woman that sews the jerseys on the side and call it a deal.

Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard would make everyone scared, especially the Heat.

As a Miami fan, I am petrified just writing about this.

The Hornets started hot against Miami and kept it close through the first half, but ran out of steam as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade had huge quarters to elevate Miami to a 16-5 record.

The Heat were uncharacteristically lethargic to begin the game, giving up turnovers and missing makable shots. Meanwhile every starter for New Orleans had scored before the 8th minute of the first period as they jumped to a double figure lead.

Dwyane Wade’s stunning 14 point second quarter was a catalyst for the Miami comeback which was combined with LeBron James’ 15 point third quarter. Neither of the two emerged in the final period.

James finished with a typically astonishing 22 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in just three quarters of play. Wade matched his 22 points and added 5 assists.

Both teams gained huge bench production, mostly because the fourth quarter was entirely garbage time given the game was over by the end of the third, but it was a good chance for the lesser Heat and Hornets to get some game time.

New Orleans can look to their rebounding as one of the reasons for their second half collapse, being out rebounded by 14. They managed just 4 offensive boards.

Derrick Rose had a chance to tie the game with just seconds remaining. He missed both free throws.

LeBron James had a chance to seal the game with just seconds remaining. He also missed both free throws.

Two of the best players in the game right now put on a masterclass through 3.9 quarters of the game, but neither were able to make free throws when their team needed them most.

Luckily for LeBron James, he had already done enough. Derrick Rose cannot say the same.

James finished with a game high 35 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Derrick Rose notched up 34 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

James shot 12-23 from the field, including 1/1 from 3. Derrick Rose shot 11/28 from the field, including 0/4 from 3.

I still think there is light years between the two.

Chris Bosh had his best ‘unnoticeable game’ so far this season and one of his best since taking his talents to South Beach. By ‘unnoticeable game’ I basically mean he is outshone by at least one of his teammates, if not 2 (not on this occasion) and certainly another player or 2 on the other team, yet he still manages a hugely successful and effective number of points and rebounds. Tonight Bosh added 24 points and 12 rebounds on just 8/14 shooting partnered with a perfect 8/8 from the line. He was just as much a factor in this win as LeBron James, despite the more flamboyance of James’ play.

Dwyane Wade was off the pace of the game all night, rather choosing to sit back and distribute the ball, to where he had 6 assists in the first half. Stupidly, the unhygienic Joakim Noah got him angry in the second half and he added 15 crucial points that may have decided the game. It was far, far, far from his best, but he made some players in the final term that certainly helped Miami close the game out.

Miami were in control of the entire game and I do not believe they ever conceded the lead. They matched Chicago’s defensive prowess and did a great job on the rebounds, pipping the board crashing kings in that category. They also matched the ever working Noah, Boozer, Gibson and Asik who lead the Bulls’ second chance creating team, as both teams finished with 12 offensive rebounds.

Chicago normally squeeze the life out of their opponents with their superior defense and the huge number of their rebounding, leading to more possessions. On this night they were beaten at their own game.