--Dwight Howard scored 39 points last night in Portland but expressed disappointment that his team folded as Portland mounted a comeback and took a 97-83 victory at home.

--Brian Schmitz of The Orlando Sentinel says (and I happen to agree) that it is a good thing Howard called out his teammates. Finally some action to show he is taking this season much more seriously. 

--Rookie Gordon Hayward will get the start tonight for the Jazz with Raja Bell sitting out with a thigh bruise. 

--Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel prepared a rough outline of how the Magic go about preparing for a team in the middle of a busy season. 

--Orlando has gone from red hot to ice cold in a matter of eight days. And it isn't just the illnesses.

--Stan Van Gundy, who himself stepped away from coaching for a while to spend more time with his family, understands former Florida coach Urban Meyer's decision to walk away.

--Rashard Lewis is among the many basketball fans who wants to see an NBA franchise returned to Seattle. 

--John Branch of the New York Times writes yet another article on Rony Seikaly, the DJ.