BASKETBALL

In the NBA, it was the Miami Heat vs. the Orlando Magic.  Many think this match-up could be a semi-finals battle in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  The Magic were ready for the Heat, and their star Dwight Howard even did the whole throwing chalk dust in the air to start the game.  And the whole Magic team did the ‘take-a-team-photo’ routine that LeBron used to do with the Cavs.  Clearly, everybody wants to antagonize LeBron.  The Magic did their best to anger James, but in the end… HE JUST WENT OFF!  LeBron put up an amazing 51 points!!!  Combine that with his 11 rebounds and 8 assists, and it was if he single-handedly beat the Magic.  Very impressive, and a clear signal that the Heat will be very tough to beat this post-season.  Miami 104, Orlando 100.

Elsewhere in the NBA, the All-Star reserves were announced for both conferences.  For the East, 4 Celtics made the squad:  Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen & Rajon Rondo.  Joining them are Al Horford and Joe Johnson from the Hawks, and the Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh.  That’s a pretty good bench.  For the West, it’ll be Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams backing up Chris Paul at point guard, Dirk Nowitzki from the Mavericks, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili from the Spurs, Gasol from the Lakers, and in a shocking selection the rookie sensation Blake Griffin.  Many thought Griffin wouldn’t make the squad, as rookies tend to be left off, but you simply can not deny Griffin’s dominance this season.  He was born to play in an all-star game, and the fans are going to love watching Chris Paul throw an alley-oop for an impressive Griffin dunk.  It will truly be a game to watch.

BASEBALL

Finally, in baseball, it’s the end of an era.  Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte has decided to retire.  Pettitte was a key part of the Yankees dynasty during the late 90s and early part of this decade.  He, along with Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, David Wells, Mariano Rivera, and later C.C. Sabathia made up an almost unhittable pitching rotation.  When you think about all of the Yankees success, Pettitte’s name always comes to mind.  He briefly left New York to join Roger Clemens in Houston, but came back to New York just a few years later and was just as effective as before.  He is truly a Yankees legend, and will likely be welcome with the organization in some capacity.