Friday's NBA Guide: Magic Demand Attention, Jermaine's Indy Homecoming

FanHouse's NBA Guide gives you a daily look at all the games that matter ... and some that don't.

HEADLINER
Orlando at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 PM ET

Four teams have already won 30 games: the Lakers, Celtics, Cavaliers and ... um ... wait, it'll come to me ... oh, I give up. Ah yes, the Magic! Nobody talks about this team as being one of the league's elite, but if they can go into the Staples Center and pull out the upset, people will notice.


And why not? Just like the Lakers, Orlando has a superstar (Dwight Howard leads the world in NBA All-Star votes) backed by an excellent supporting cast (the Magic have four players averaging at least 16 points game). Of course, there's also this little matter of Courtney Lee being matched up with Kobe Bryant. Don't get me wrong, I like Lee's potential as much as the next guy, but Kobe's not going to be contained by a rookie, especially not when there are suddenly three billion pairs of eyeballs trained on his every move.

There's always a chance the Magic can catch the Lakers looking ahead to Monday's epic battle with the Cavs, but I just don't see Phil Jackson failing to remind his team that the Magic officially have a better record than the Celtics.


UNDERCARD
Toronto at Indiana, 7 PM ET

Funny story about Jermaine O'Neal's return to Conseco Fieldhouse from Mike Wells of the Indy Star: he arrived at the arena without a clue how to get to the visitor's locker room. "I was looking around like it was a new arena," O'Neal told Wells. "It's a little strange walking in a different way."

Unfortunately, that funny anecdote might be the highlight of O'Neal's first trip back: he's been sidelined the last nine games with a balky right knee and is technically a game-time decision. It'll be disappointing for his fans if he can't play, but hey, they're used to seeing him on the sidelines in street clothes.

As for the guys who will be playing, look for Andrea Bargnani to continue his hot shooting as he chases (some really obscure) history: Bargnani has hit at least two three-pointers in nine straight games, tying Memo Okur's record for consecutive games by a starting center with two or more three-point goals. If he hits two tonight, will they stop the game and honor him with a plaque?

Detroit at Oklahoma City, 8 PM ET

Don't laugh: the last time these two teams played, the Thunder lost to the Pistons in Detroit by a mere two points. Were it not for an overtime loss in New Jersey on Monday, the Thunder would be riding a three-game winning streak, punctuated by a 21-point drubbing of the Jazz on Wednesday.

The Pistons, meanwhile, have lost three in a row and may be without Rasheed Wallace, who apparently slept through shootaround and may not be feeling well enough to play regardless. Vegas likes the Pistons by four; I'm not sure I'd take that bet.

New Orleans at Cleveland, 8 PM, ESPN

LeBron James + Chris Paul + national television = a reason to stay home on a Friday night. After letting Thursday's game against the Bulls get away from them in the final minutes, expect the Cavs to come out extra motivated.

Minnesota at Phoenix, 9 PM ET

Shaquille O'Neal sat out Thursday's game so he'd be ready tonight. I'm sure Kevin Love and Al Jefferson are thrilled.

Atlanta at Golden State, 10:30 PM ET

This game has the highest over/under (220) and the smallest line (Hawks -1.5): the last team that makes a bucket will win.

San Antonio at Philadelphia, 7 PM ET
New York at Washington, 7 PM ET
Utah at Memphis, 8 PM ET
Milwaukee at Sacramento, 10 PM ET