Dwight Howard was suspended for the Orlando Magic's Monday game against the Portland Trail Blazers on account of earning his 16th technical foul over the weekend. Finally, those concerns about his dysfunctional relationship with NBA officials have come home to roost, as the Magic fell to the Blazers 89-85 at the Amway.
Blazers Vs. Magic: Dwight Howard’s Suspension Leaves Orlando Short-Handed, Portland Takes Advantage
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy turned to a small line-up out of necessity, with stretch power forward Ryan Anderson at center, Brandon Bass at power forward and Hedo Turkoglu at small forward. Portland didn't exactly take advantage of Orlando on the glass (where it was an even affair), and LaMarcus Aldridge scores 24 points on efficient shooting (10-18) often enough that you can't link it directly to Howard's absence. But down in the crucial moments, Portland was able to score fairly easily on Orlando, and you have to think the most impactful defender in the NBA could have changed fate.
The Blazers went on an 11-2 run in the middle of the fourth to capture the game, with five of those points coming in the paint. Orlando should have been able to find some offense during that stretch regardless -- though Howard’s pretty darn important on that end, too -- but without Dwight, scoring was a little too easy for Portland.
Keep that in mind the next time Howard barks at an official, or roll his eyes, or whatever they are calling technicals on him for these days.
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