Heat Vs. Magic Recap: In Perhaps His Final Home Game, Dwight Howard Dominates With 26-Rebound, 24-Point Performance

Amid rampant Dwight Howard rumors as the trade deadline approaches, the Orlando Magic pulled off a 104-98 win over the Miami Heat. In what could be his last game in a Magic uniform, Howard finished with his usual double-double, but it was not your garden variety as he grabbed 26 boards and scored 24 points. That effort helped Orlando defeat the touted Heat, despite committing a whopping 22 turnovers.

The Magic got stops on the defensive end down the stretch, which set up a transition pull-up three-pointer by Jameer Nelson to give Orlando the 94-91 lead with less than a minute to play. Dwyane Wade answered Nelson's three with a step-back triple of his own to even it up yet again. Both teams would come up short on their final possessions, forcing overtime. In overtime, it was Nelson and the Magic yet again who pulled away to finish off the Heat by six in the extra session. Nelson had 25 points and hit four three-pointers to team up with Howard for the Magic's second home win over the Heat this season.

Dwyane Wade led Miami with 28 points, but both he and LeBron James struggled to hit from outside down the stretch. There was some confusion on who was the go-to-guy at the end of regulation and in overtime. James added 19 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.

Miami has little time to recuperate, as they now head to Chicago on Wednesday for a battle between the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. Orlando heads out on the road as well, to face one of the Western Conference's best in the San Antonio Spurs.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on Miami, visit SB Nation's Heat blog, Peninsula Is Mightier. For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Magic, visit Orlando Pinstriped Post, SB Nation's Magic blog. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.