Spambereich » "based on the evidence we saw,

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - This time, the Orlando Magic didnt fall apart down the stretch.Four days after blowing an 11-point lead in the final 4 minutes of a loss to NBA-leading Golden State, the Magic almost let another big advantage slip away.A little composure and a big 3-pointer from Channing Frye made sure it didnt happen.Tobias Harris scored a season-high 27 points, Frye made a game-changing 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter and Orlando beat the Sacramento Kings 105-96 on Saturday night.Without a doubt, the great word is poise, Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. We didnt panic at all and we continued to trust each other. Im pretty impressed with that. We are understanding that we need each other.Victor Oladipo added 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds, Evan Fournier had 15 points and Kyle OQuinn scored 13 to help the Magic to their second straight win following back-to-back losses to the Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers.Like most things with Orlando this season, it wasnt easy.The Magic (9-14) led most of the game and were up by 16 early in the fourth quarter before holding off a late Sacramento push to end a four-game losing streak to the Kings.Darren Collison scored 22 points while Jason Thompson added 18 for Sacramento. The Kings have dropped five of six.We just were not ready to play, Kings coach Michael Malone said. When we defend like that, when we dont defend at all, we get beat. Defence wins in the NBA, and tonight we didnt defend anybody.Ben Gordon made consecutive baskets to put Orlando up 82-66 early in the fourth quarter before Sacramento made its run.Collison made a pair of 3-pointers and Derrick Williams added 14 points off the bench — all in the final 11 minutes — including a layup that tied the game at 90-all with 4 minutes remaining.The Magic pulled away after that.Elfrid Payton made a layup, Frye hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock buzzer sounded, and Oladipo sank an 18-foot jumper to put Orlando up 97-90.Officials later reviewed and confirmed the shot by Frye.We realized it was getting close and we realized that we have to close the game out, Oladipo said. Weve been in that situation before and the biggest thing is to get stops and make shots. (Frye) hits a huge, crazy shot for us and it was big.Both teams were playing on the second half of back-to-backs. Sacramento edged Indiana in overtime, while Orlando beat Utah.The Magic looked much fresher coming out than the Kings.Orlando led by 11 midway through the second quarter before Sacramento pulled within 52-49 at halftime. Harris had 14 points while OQuinn added eight.The Kings were fortunate to be that close.With its starting five on the bench to begin the second quarter, Sacramento missed 13 of its first 14 shots. The Kings scored 22 in the quarter, 10 on free throws.Orlando held Sacramento scoreless for more than four minutes in the third quarter to extend its lead to 77-66.TIP-INSMagic: Center Nikola Vucevic continues to be sidelined by a lower back strain. The 7-footer has not played since Nov. 30. ... OQuinn made his first four shots but went to the bench after picking up his third foul early in the second quarter.Kings: DeMarcus Cousins missed his fifth straight game because of a viral infection. Cousins was hospitalized on Tuesday but has since returned home and could rejoin the team next week. ... Sacramento has lost 17 of its last 18 games when Cousins doesnt play.PRODUCTIVE MINUTESOQuinn made a big contribution in a short amount of time. He played just 18 minutes, finishing with four assists to go with his 13 points.NEXT UPMagic: Host Washington on Wednesday.Kings: Host Utah on Monday. Steve Yzerman Red Wings Jersey . -- Augusta James of Bath, Ont. Jimmy Howard Jersey . Returning to Davis Cup tennis, Federer cruised past Ilija Bozoljac, winning 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in less than two hours. Federer faced little challenge from Bozoljac, who served well but still was no match for his Swiss opponent. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/luke-glendening-jersey/ . -- Pinch-runner Rajai Daviss decision to steal third base just as Oakland catcher Derek Norris was throwing the ball back to the pitcher caught most everyone by surprise -- including several of his Detroit teammates. Darren Helm Red Wings Jersey .com) - They didnt meet in the regular season, so Sam Houston State might be saying it won the de facto title game between the two Southland Conference co-champions Saturday. Niklas Kronwall Jersey .com) - Jenny Boucek is the new head coach of the Seattle Storm.On Monday, Alex Rodriguez filed his lawsuit in U.S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. Ultimately, the big point of the lawsuit is to get a judge to set aside A-Rods 162-game suspension so he can play this upcoming season. As I wrote here, that wont happen. Judges are very reluctant to overturn the decisions of arbitrators unless the arbitrators make decisions that are nuts, crazy and out in left field. They are especially reluctant when the arbitrator is seasoned and well-respected, which is the case here with Fredric Horowitz. In his court document, A-Rod is arguing that the suspension was "wholly unjustified" and "baseless." Horowitz, however, relied on a lot of evidence to come to the conclusion that there was a reasonable basis for the suspension. Horowitz found that the evidence confirmed that A-Rod used three different types of PEDs over three years between 2010 and 2012: testosterone, IGF-1 and HGH. In fact, Horowitz wrote that the "only reasonable inference to be drawn from the weight of the evidence" is that A-Rod cheated. Horowitz also found that A-Rod tried to destroy evidence and bribe Tony Bosch, the founder of Biogenesis and the key witness in all of this. On this basis, Horowitz wrote that "deliberate efforts to obstruct an MLB investigation" or to "cover-up misconduct" can subject a player to further discipline. So in suspending A-Rod for 162 games plus playoffs, Horowitz ruled that there was "clear and convincing evidence" that A-Rod used or possessed PEDs over the course of three years and also, on at least two occasions, obstructed MLBs investigation. While the "length of the suspension may be unprecedented," concluded Horowitz, "so is the misconduct he committed." So A-Rods likelihood of success in getting his suspension overturned by the court is between zero to five per cent - and probably closer to zero per cent. I just dont see it happening. Now on to another part of the lawsuit: A-Rod is also suing the MLBPA. Basically, he is alleging that the union didnt have his back. Specifically, A-Rod says the union breached its legal duty to fairly represent his interest against MLB. How you ask? A-Rod cited a few examples: (1) The Drug Policy provides that most of the information surrounding a suspension is confidential and cannot be made publlic.dddddddddddd Despite that, A-Rod argues, information was continually leaked to the public. Rather than challenge these leaks, the union "sat on its hands". (2) MLB filed a "sham lawsuit" against Bosch. The lawsuit, he argues, had no merit and the real reason for it was to force Bosch to cooperate with MLB. It worked and Bosch spilled the PED beans. A-Rod says the union should have challenged the lawsuit. (3) MLB bought evidence and according to A-Rod engaged in heavy handed investigation techniques. Rather than take issue with that, the MLBPA did nothing. (4) The former head of the MLBPA made public statements strongly suggesting that A-Rod took PEDs. Mr. Weiner said this on Chris Russos radio show: "based on the evidence we saw, we made a recommendation" that he accept a suspension. A-Rod says that Mr. Weiner acted against his best interests, which is a breach of the duty of fair representation. By the way, the MLBPA took very serious issue with A-Rod attacking Mr. Weiner. He passed away in November from an inoperable brain tumor and was beloved and respected by everyone - including his adversary MLB. While A-Rod may be taking issue with his own union, ultimately this will not have an impact on whether his suspension gets reduced. Thats a separate issue focused on whether there is just cause for the suspension. Whatever duties his union did or did not discharge wont be relevant. As for what is next, I expect the judge in short order to rule he wont touch the suspension and as a result A-Rod will miss the entire 2014 season. After that, the Yankees will likely buy out the last two years of his deal and A-Rod will never play major league baseball again. Apart from being 39-years old when his suspension will be done, hes also toxic; no team will touch him. A-Rod has burned a lot of bridges: Yankees, MLB and the union. On top of that, hes admitted to doing PEDs between 2001 and 2003, and according to the Horowitz decision, he did PEDs from 2010 to 2012. The assumption may well be that A-Rod took PEDs for most of his career. Whether fair or not, for many he has lost the benefit of the doubt, and as a result the legitimacy of his numbers will be forever questioned. As we watch the final chapter in the A-Rod saga unfold, there is a growing sense that A-Rod may become a pariah unwelcome in any baseball circles. His relationship with baseball may be coming to a decisive end. ' ' '