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Howard, Magic host Heat with trade deadline looming

Mar 13, 2012 - 2:51 PM (Sports Network) - The NBA's trade deadline is approaching and it's still unknown if Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard will be dealt or stay put.

Right now he's still property of the Magic, who will take on the Southeast Division-rival Miami Heat tonight at Amway Center. The Magic have won two in a row and 11 of their last 15 games, including Sunday's 107-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers behind 30 points and 13 rebounds from Howard. J.J. Redick scored 18 points and handed out a career-best nine assists in the win.

"We just want to continue getting better," Howard said. "We want to peak at the right time."

Ryan Anderson finished with 12 points and nine rebounds for Orlando, which is five games behind the Heat for the Southeast lead and owns a 14-7 home record.

The Magic will be shooting for their third straight win as the host. Howard owns 34 double-doubles on the season.

In injury news for Orlando, forward Hedo Turkoglu is probable for tonight because of a strained left Achilles. Turkoglu was suspended for the Indiana game after making contact with a game official late in the fourth quarter of Orlando's 99-94 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. In 39 games this season, Turkoglu is averaging 11.2 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds.

Orlando is 21-10 against teams from the East this season.

Meanwhile, the Heat hope to put the brakes on a two-game road slide when they begin a tough three-game trek tonight against Orlando, Chicago and Philadelphia.

The Heat have won three in a row overall and 12 of 14 games, and are coming off Saturday's 93-91 overtime victory versus Indiana in the finale of a perfect three-game residency. Dwyane Wade drained the game-winning jumper with 0.1 seconds left in overtime and LeBron James tied the game on a three-pointer late in regulation. Wade scored 28 points and James added 27 for Miami, which got 13 points from Chris Bosh.

"It was about getting the best shot," Wade said of his clutch jumper. "We all had trust. Everyone was touching the ball and moving it until we got the shot that we wanted."

Miami has won 12 in a row at home for the first time since a 14-game streak from Jan. 22-March 16, 2007. Miami reserve guard Mike Miller is expected to miss tonight's game because of a sprained left ankle. Miami has held 12 of the last 13 opponents under 100 points, and a win tonight would give the squad a 32-9 mark -- the best in franchise history after 41 contests.

The Heat are 13-7 away from home in 2011-12 and have split a pair of meetings with Orlando this season, with each team prevailing as the host. They have lost 10 of 13 visits to central Florida.