Quick Hits - 1/4/12

ANOTHER 20/20 GAME FOR SUPERMAN

Photo Credit: boston.com

Dwight Howard pulled down 20 rebounds and scored 28 points tonight as Orlando defeated the Washington Wizards 103-85. It was the third time in seven games this year that Howard has pulled down at least 20 rebounds. Howard entered play tonight averaging a league best 15.3 rebounds per game. He finished second in the league in rebounding last year behind only Kevin Love. Speaking of Love...

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Photo Credit: examiner.com

Another day, another double double for Kevin Love. Love picked up 27 points and 14 rebounds tonight giving him his 6th straight double double to start the season. Unfortunately the Wolves saw their 2 game winning streak snapped as they came up short against the Grizzlies 90-86.

MANCHESTER UNITED BLASTED BY NEWCASTLE

Photo Credit: greenwichtime.com

Demba Ba scored his 15th goal of the season and Newcastle never looked back cruising to a 3-0 win over Manchester United. It was United's 2nd straight loss in Premier League play making it the first time since March, when they dropped back to back matches on the road against Chelsea and Liverpool, that Man U has lost two in a row. Newcastle must now continue on without Ba for a while though as he gets set for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations where he'll play for his native Senegal. The 16-team tournament starts on January 21st and continues through the 12th of February.

BIG Z AND OZZIE TO JOIN FORCES?

Photo Credit: espn.go.com

It looks like Carlos Zambrano's days in Chicago are done. The Cubs and Marlins are reportedly close on a deal that will send the fiery righty to the Marlins in exchange for Chris Volstad. The 30 year old Venezuelan had spent his entire 11 year major league career with the Cubs, but didn't pitch for Chicago after an emotional meltdown where he walked out on the team following an outing in which he was touched up for 5 home runs and was then ejected against the Braves back in August. The Marlins are hopeful that Guillen's relationship with his fellow countryman will keep the pitcher's volatile temper in check allowing him to return to the form that made him a 3-time all star and the NL leader in wins in 2006. Volstad, just 25, is 32-39 in 4 major league seasons with an ERA of 4.59. He has made at least 29 starts in each of the last three seasons.

BOWL STANDINGS UPDATE

Photo Credit: stltoday.com

Here's the latest standings following West Virginia's record setting 70-33 victory over ACC Champion Clemson.

Just four games remain, and I think it's safe to say that the ACC is the big loser this year with only NC State and Florida State as winners. Just 4 bowls remain in this year's bowl season: Kansas State (Big 12) takes on Arkansas (SEC) in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, SMU (C-USA) takes on Pitt (Big East) in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Saturday, Arkansas State (Sun Belt) takes on Northern Illinois (MAC) in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Sunday, and LSU (SEC) and Alabama (SEC) face off for the National Championship on Monday.

ALL I DO IS SCORE GOALS

Photo Credit: sports.yahoo.com

Lionel Messi scored 2 more goals today in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 as Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win over Osasuna. Messi now has 31 goals this season in just 27 matches. He set a Barcelona record last season with 53 goals. Cesc Fábregas also scored twice for Barcelona in the win.

TWO MORE ADDED TO USMNT CAMP

Photo Credit: soundersfc.com

A pair of Seattle Sounders were added to Jurgen Klinsmann's roster for the U.S.'s upcoming friendlies against Venezuela and Panama. Midfielder Brad Evans and defender Jeff Parke will replace Los Angeles defender Omar Gonzalez and Dallas defender George John, who were allowed to withdraw because of club-related matters. Evans, 26, scored 5 goals and had 5 assists in 20 games for the Sounders last season. He has appeared 4 times for the National Team since debuting in 2009. Parke, 29, started 28 games for the Sounders last season. He is yet to appear in a game for the U.S.