THROUGH THE WIRE: MONDAY (03/14/11)

24. Some better news for all-time NBA good guy Dwight Howard. The number 12 hit 10K last night like he was running for charity. He hit 10,000 career points during his Orlando teams burn in Phoenix and burn did they scorching the Suns 111-88. Howard ended the Suns with 26 points, 15 boards and 5 swats, hooking over centre Robin Lopez to twin his impressive output with a career milestone. "I never look at the points," the ever most Dwight says. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me." That sure is the case and expect milestones in these statistical categories for this huge big man in the future. Brandon Bass had 17 and Gilbert Arenas 16 points for Orlando who reeled in help from all their players in beating the Arizona side in their own arena. Next up for the Magic on their West Coast road trip will be a little bit more tricky. They will have to reach further into the bag tonight as they play the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.

48. It will be a tough task for Orlando tonight against the Lake Show but their chances may be improved with the uncertainty surrounding the game time status of Kobe Bryant. "We hope he'll be able to play," Coach Jackson said of the Lakers leader who injured his ankle during Saturdays clash with Dallas and missed the Lakers Sunday practice while not talking to the press to end the weekend. Kobe's fall on his ankle against the Mavs was self-dubbed the 'scariest' of his career and if he misses tonight's game he can rest until the Lakers take on their next opponent-Minnesota-on Friday. "Yeah, it would be great for him to have three days off to get better," P-Jax added. "But if he's capable of playing, he'll play." You know Kobe wouldn't have it any other way.

82. One guy who won't be playing for awhile is Miami Heat center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The centre has been admitted to hospital with a foot infection after stepping on a nail. Miamk coach Erik Spoelstra is unsure when Big Z will make a bee-line back on-court as the player has been receiving intravenous treatments. Miami will miss Z's receive 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in a tougher, bigger Eastern Conference despite having plenty of strength in depth with players like Erik Dampier.

O.T. It all felt like the mid-90's again but Reggie Miller wasn't draining threes as the Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks to end a 6 game L streak...the Charlotte Bobcats scratched their own five-game skid by fossilising the Raptors...the Cavs woes continue as the Oklahoma Thunder reigned over them...while speaking of the Toronto Raptors the majority owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs Ice Hockey franchise is exploring the sale of the basketball franchise. As they continue to skid, is the life of this young, talented Raptor franchise on thin-ice? TIM DAVID HARVEY.