--Saturday's game was a reunion of sorts for the two teams that came into the NBA together as expansion teams for the 1989-90 season. The Magic have experienced considerably more success, reaching the NBA Finals in 1995. They also are looking like contenders once again. The Timberwolves did reach the Western Conference finals once during the Kevin Garnett era.
--Magic C Dwight Howard and his shoe company are trying to convince President-elect Barack Obama to wear the gaudy-looking shoes that he used for the first time on Christmas Day. They are loud and colorful, and Howard used the nationally televised game to show off the new style. He hasn't heard back from the Obama administration yet. The President-elect is a basketball fan who likes to play the game. --The Magic's game Saturday in Minnesota marked their 12th consecutive game against a Western Conference opponent, the longest streak in franchise history. They return to the East on Monday night in Detroit.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're a lot more mature. We're learning what it takes to win a championship." -- Jameer Nelson, comparing this season's team to last year's.
