Magic at Bobcats
THE STORY: Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy called his team's energy level in Monday's narrow win at Toronto "disturbing." Could the Magic have been looking ahead to their next opponent? Not likely. Despite playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road, Orlando will receive the closest thing to a bye that the NBA has to offer when it visits the woeful Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday. Charlotte owns a league-worst 4-31 mark and has won once since Jan. 14.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Magic), SportSouth (Bobcats)
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (4-31): The latest painful chapter in Charlotte's lost season came in a home loss to New Jersey on Sunday. Nets point guard Deron Williams shattered a franchise record by scoring 57 points in a 104-101 victory. It was the five consecutive defeat overall and eighth straight home loss for the Bobcats. Corey Maggette scored 24 points to lead Charlotte, which has dropped 21 of its last 22. He is averaging 18.7 points in his last four games.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (25-14): With the trade deadline inside 10 days and speculation running rampant about his immediate future, Dwight Howard poured in 36 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Orlando to a 92-88 victory at Toronto. It was Howard's highest offensive output since a 45-point eruption on Jan. 12. He is averaging 32.3 points and 12.0 rebounds in three games this month. Magic general manager Otis Smith said six to eight teams remain in contact with the team about acquiring or renting Howard, who is set to become a free agent after the season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Van Gundy reportedly was dealing with chest pains following Monday's game against the Raptors. According to the Associated Press, when asked how he was feeling, Van Gundy said: "I'm not doing real well."
2. Orlando has won the last six regular-season meetings with the Bobcats and the last 10 overall, dating to a four-game playoff sweep in April 2010.
3. In Sunday's loss to the Nets, the Bobcats scored more than 100 points for the first time since their last home win – Jan. 14 against Golden State.