Stiles Points: OKC Thunder, Orlando Magic, A Battle of Fun

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic match up with each other on Tuesday in a matchup that is loaded with fun.

Sports are supposed to be fun. When living and dying with each result and over-analyzing even moves these athletes make down to the emojis on their tweets, it is easy to forget that. 

As everyone looks for what is next, spouts hot takes, and lives and dies by their predictions, it is okay just to have fun. That is what tonight brings for the NBA. 

On National Television, the world will be treated to two of the best young teams in the NBA going at it. In a matchup that features two small market teams, TNT will give fans a real treat.

The Oklahoma City Thunder sit second in the Western Conference, a game behind the Timberwolves for the top seed, with a 36-17 record. The Orlando Magic are in the sixth spot of the Eastern Conference, with a 29-24 record. This game provides a ton of exciting matchups. 

The top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero, is leading the Magic to one of the most successful seasons in years, and in this game will match up with the second overall pick in that draft, Chet Holmgren. While simultaneously facing off with Jalen Williams, whom Banchero battled for rookie of the year last season. Speaking of Holmgren, his childhood best friend, Jalen Suggs, awaits him on the opposite side. 

With rising stars like Franz Wagner, Banchero, Williams, and Holmgren sharing the floor alongside superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a good supporting cast on each side, this will surely be a great game. 

This game even features a rare feat for the middle of February in the NBA: Each side has turned in a healthy injury report, with the Thunder only missing their two recent additions and their two-way contracted player and the Magic without a single name on their injury report.

On TNT, with Magic Legend Shaquille O'Neal having his jersey retired at the game, just sit back and enjoy this one. A game away from the NBA All-Star Break, there is no debating that the Thunder have had a wildly successful season. It is okay to spend a night having fun as a viewer. 

Stiles Points: 

• Chet Holmgren on the cover of SLAM  is still incredibly cool. We live in a digital world now, but the symbolism of the magazine cover still lives on. This is already the second time Holmgren has graced the cover in a Thunder jersey. 
• The Thunder are back in second place in the Western Conference standings after the Timberwolves ran the Clippers out of their own gym. 
• Bismack Biyombo is going to wear the number 15 for the Thunder. He marks the seventh player to do so in team history. Most recently dawned by big Man Derrick Favors, the list includes Josh Hall, Kevin Hervey, Dante Grantham, Kyle Singler, and Reggie Jackson.
• Adam Flagler will sport the number 14, last worn by his college teammate Jared Butler a season ago for the Thunder. Butler was inked to a two-way deal around this time for Oklahoma City last year, and the two brought Baylor an NCAA Championship in 2021. Svi Mykhailiuk, Devon Hall, DJ Augustin, Reggie Williams, Deaquan Cook, and Shaun Livingston. 
• Gordon Hayward will wear the number 33 in Oklahoma City, last worn by Mike Muscala. Also worn by Mitch McGary, Daniel Orton, and Ryan Reid
• Do the Orlando Magic have the best fight song in professional sports? No, but it is close. Despite their simple but catchy repetition, the edge has to go to the Miami Dolphins for the top spot. However, the Magic can take pride in the fact that they have the undisputed second-best fight song behind just the 76ers.     

Song of the Day: Florida Kilos by Lana Del Rey

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Stiles Points: Jalen Williams Continues To Be a Difference Maker for the OKC Thunder

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