What They're Saying: Cavaliers vs. Magic 4/3

-Rob Peterson of NBA.com reports that Jameer Nelson is still very much a part of the team despite sitting out the last few months with that torn labrum. Nelson can be seen lightening the mood in the locker room and taking leadership behind closed doors. All I can say, the Magic have to be considered a favorite to win the East next year with his return.

-Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel is still a little miffed about a USA Today article that overlooked Dwight Howard as an MVP candidate. He makes his case that Howard is the most overlooked player in the NBA. In all fairness, though, it is LeBron James' trophy to lose. Be happy Howard is going to get the Defensive Player of the Year award.

-Looks like Orlando will not have a draft pick this year, as The Orlando Sentinel's Brian Schmitz reports. Which will make all my draft coverage completely useless... or is it?

-Kyle Hightower of The Orlando Sentinel describes Courtney Lee's struggles defending the top talent as a rookie. Interesting little argument about the star-leaning calls of the referees. But, rest assured, Lee is doing a fantastic job and is not afraid of guarding anyone at this stage of the season.

-Magic radio producer Scott Anez comments on the return of Rashard Lewis' stroke as we enter the stretch. Sure, he missed that wide open three to tie Wednesday's game. But Lewis has been a lot better recently and is the key to any success the Magic might have in the postseason.

-Cavs should be focused tonight after their 13-game winning streak was snapped by the Washington Wizards last night.

Magic 105, Wizards 90: Not much to say

Still coming down from all the turkey. But Orlando did not seem phased at all by the extra food or the back-to-back.

Dwight Howard got the Wizards big men in foul trouble early and dominated inside. It did not take long for Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis to follow.

Washington was never close. When the team did make a little bit of a comeback, Orlando stepped on the gas pedal and pulled away. It was an impressive performance -- the kind of effort you want against a 2-11 team.

Happy Thanksgiving. The Magic are playing solid basketball with a tough December on the horizon.

Orlando Magic on Election Day

Make sure you go out and vote today. Florida is a pretty important state, so make your vote count (more than others, at least).

Nov. 6, 1992: the Magic did not play their first game of the season until after Bill Clinton's victory over incumbent George H. W. Bush. But Orlando did make a premier of its own. Rookie Shaquille O'Neal scored 12 points and grabbed 18 rebounds.

But it was Nick Anderson showing why he was the Magic's elder statesmen as he dropped a career-high 42 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter, to lead Orlando to a 113-110 win over the Heat.

Nov. 1, 1996: the Magic were not as lucky (OK, luck had nothing to do with it) as incumbent Clinton in their first game of the season in 1996. Playing the Washington Bullets without Dennis Scott, Gerald Wilkins' game-tying 3-pointer was ruled a two when the referees determined Wilkins' foot was on the line and Orlando fell short 96-92 to the Bullets.

Clinton survived the Magic's loss and won re-election.

Nov. 6, 2000: no recount was needed at the Orlando Arena as the Magic raced past the Supersonics with a 110-99 victory. Still looking for its identity after signing Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill, who was out with an injury (figures), during the summer, some key role players had big games.

John Amaechi (from England, so he could not vote the next day) scored 20 points as did Darrell Armstrong.

We all know what happened the next day in Florida.

Nov. 3, 2004: Steve Francis got to the hoop and made a lay-up as time expired to give the Magic a thrilling 93-92 opening-game victory over the Bucks. Dwight Howard finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds in his first NBA game.

George W. Bush pulled a Francis as he narrowly defeated John Kerry for re-election the day before.

Nov. 3, 2008: one day before Barack Obama and John McCain squared off in the general election. The Magic built to 15-point leads against the Chicago Bulls. Obama's hometown team climbed back both times and nearly tied the game. But somehow Orlando held on 96-93 thanks to 22 points and 15 boards from Howard.

Who will win today's election? Think of this:

In the above games, the Magic went 4-1. What does that mean for Obama and McCain, absolutely nothing! But it is interesting to note Orlando was home for each one of the above games. I guess you have to keep your voters in Florida.