JazzFan 4 Life

What is it about these Florida teams this year? The last time the Jazz played the Magic, Orlando wiped the floor with them in an 88-75 loss at Energy Solutions Arena. Utah was never really in that game and came out with zero heart, so the score is a little misleading.

Season series: Orlando leads, 1-0.

What happened last time: Dwight Howard had 21 points, 16 rebounds and abused the Jazz's front line all night long. Jameer Nelson had a good all-around game (15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) and Grant Hill hit some key outside jumpers to finish with 16 points. Carlos Boozer had 21 points and 10 rebounds, but didn't get going until late in the game. This might have been one of Andrei Kirilenko's best games of the year, numbers-wise (11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks) but the team looked awful.

What to expect this time: The Magic have lost three straight (including Monday's loss to the Bobcats) and have lost 10 of 12 since the all-star break and 22 of 29 since mid-January. There's an entire Web site devoted to firing Brian Hill, Dwight Howard is kicking basketballs through the roof ... basically it's mass hysteria and craziness in The City Beautiful. The Magic are a game behind the Pacers for the No. 8 spot in the East and have gone from a sure-fire playoff team to a lottery team trying to make the playoffs. Howard, Hill and Nelson are the name players on this team, but keep an eye on Trevor Ariza. He's playing well of late (12.0 ppg, 64.8 FG pct in his last 5 games) and is the athletic X-factor the Magic look to when things bog down.

Prediction: The Jazz played last night like they thought they were invincible and they lost. The Magic always give the Jazz a tough game, but I think Utah gets back on track tonight. Jazz win, 91-82.