MAGIC 101

The Nets are a preferred team on Dwight Howard's wish list. Brook Lopez is the center of attention for a possible trade between the two teams. With that being said, I fully expect Dwight Howard to shred Lopez tonight in the battle of the paint. In Lopez's defense, he is just coming back from a broken foot and had his season debut on Sunday in a loss to Milwaukee (a team Orlando has beaten three times this season, BTW) scoring just 9 points and 2 rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

The Orlando Magic (21-12) have won eight straight games over the Nets this season, including a 94-78 win at New Jersey on December 29. Howard had a monster rebound game with 24 while putting in 16 points. 

In head-to-head match-ups Dwight has absolutely owned Lopez. Lopez has averaged 13.7 points, 38.0 percent shooting and 5.3 rebounds, all below his career averages. Howard has averaged 20.4 points and 64.1 percent from the field to go along with 14.7 rebounds in those seven games. The Magic center has also been more imposing defensively with 25 blocks compared to seven for Lopez in that span.

Magic guard Jason Richardson has missed the last two games with a chest virus, but could return tonight.

Gametime is 7:30 and will be televised on SUN.

Predictions for the night:

Jason Crownover's pick: Nets 102, Magic 83

Randy Holbrook's pick: Magic 95, Nets 89. Dwight Howard will also outscore and out-rebound Brook Lopez by 10 & 6.

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