The Orlando Magic, losers of their last thee games, begin a west coast road trip Sunday night. That trip starts in Los Angeles. Obviously, the start of the trip isn't the story line Sunday. The Magic will see Dwight Howard, perhaps the greatest player in franchise history, in another uniform for the first time. Howard was dealt to the Lakers this summer after demanding a trade in December of 2011. Despite the addition of Howard, the Lakers had had three different head coaches this year and are just 8-8. Howard is averaging 18.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He is coming off his best game as a Laker, a 28-point, 20-rebound and three-block performance in a 122-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets Friday night.
Steve Nash, the other key Laker acquisition this offseason, has played in just two games this year because of a leg injury. His replacement, Steve Blake, missed Friday's game with abdominal strain, forcing Darius Morris into the starting lineup. Former Magic point guard Chris Duhon played a season-high 31 minutes Friday, tallying five points and eight assists.
Magic point guard Jameer Nelson missed Friday's game with an achilles injury. If he can't go again, E'Twaun Moore will start in his place.
Offensive Rating: Los Angeles 107.1 (ninth), Orlando 98.3 (29th)
Defensive Rating: Los Angeles 102.2 (eighth), Orlando 104.0 (15th)
Pace: Los Angeles 93.9 (fourth), Orlando 92.1 (15th)
Starters
Los Angeles
- Dwight Howard
- Pau Gasol
- Metta World Peace
- Kobe Bryant
- Darius Morris
Orlando
- Nikola Vucevic
- Glen Davis
- Maurice Harkless
- Arron Afflalo
- Jameer Nelson
The Line: Los Angeles -13.0
Game time: 9:30 pm EST
TV: For Sports Florida
For more on this game, check out Orlando Pinstriped Post, SB Nation Los Angeles, and Silver Screen and Roll.