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Orlando Magic Vs. New Jersey Nets Preview: Dwight Howard Still In Orlando, What Now?

The trade deadline has passed and Dwight Howard is still with the Magic. How will Orlando fare the rest of the season, starting with a game against New Jersey Friday night.

Mar 14, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) takes a shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 122-111. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-US PRESSWIRE
Mar 14, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) takes a shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 122-111. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-US PRESSWIRE

Now that the trade deadline has come and gone with Dwight Howard remaining with the Orlando Magic, where do they go from here? They start by hosting the New Jersey Nets on Friday night, a team they have defeated 10 consecutive times. Howard scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 122-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Howard and the Magic beat the Nets 108-91 in their last game on Feb. 22. In that game, Howard scored 20 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. The Magic seem to be happy that all of the trade rumors and talk is finally over and that they can get back to playing basketball.

The Nets made a of trade deadline deals, trading Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and a projected first round draft pick for Gerald Wallace. This appeared to be a move to try and convince guard Deron Williams of staying with the Nets and not opting out of his contract after this season.

The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start from the Amway Center. Television coverage will be on Sunshine Network.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.