Magic trying to please Dwight Howard

Updated: March 12, 2012, 7:18 PM ET


The Orlando Magic's strategy for the moment on Dwight Howard, according to sources close to the process, calls for spending the next 48 hours or so making one last hard push to acquire the sort of difference-maker that would encourage Howard to commit his long-term future to the team that drafted him in 2004.


If no newcomer is acquired by Wednesday, sources said, Magic officials plan to spend the final 24 hours before Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline evaluating all of their trade options and then deciding Thursday whether to stick to its long-standing desire to roll the dice and keep Howard beyond the deadline or make the best available trade.


http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/76...-dwight-howard
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Deron Williams won't play vs. Bucks

Updated: March 12, 2012, 3:41 PM ET


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams will miss his second straight game Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks with a strained right calf, the team announced.


Williams is listed on the team's official injury report as day to day. His calf has been bothering him after he aggravated it in the All-Star Game, and he re-injured it in the second quarter of Friday night's win in Charlotte, forcing him to leave the game.



http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/stor...y-calf-lingers
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Luol Deng out vs. Knicks

Updated: March 12, 2012, 1:02 PM ET


DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Luol Deng, C.J. Watson and Rip Hamilton will not play for the Chicago Bulls on Monday when they host the New York Knicks.


On the positive side, Joakim Noah is scheduled to return after missing Saturday's win over the Utah Jazz with an illness.


http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story...ew-york-knicks
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Heat's Mike Miller has ankle sprain

Updated: March 12, 2012, 12:56 PM ET


MIAMI -- Injured Heat forward Mike Miller missed Monday's practice to visit a doctor for more treatment on his sprained left ankle and is likely to sit out at least the first two games of Miami's upcoming three-game road trip.


Miller won't travel with the team on Monday to Orlando to start the trip.


http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miam...-tending-ankle
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Raja Bell meets with Jazz executives

Updated: March 12, 2012, 5:56 PM ET


SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Jazz guard Raja Bell said he felt good about Monday's meeting with team brass two days after he was sent home from a road trip after clashing with coach Tyrone Corbin.


Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said the issue was resolved, and he expected Bell in uniform Monday night against Detroit, barring bad news on a precautionary MRI on Bell's sore left knee.


http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/76...-tyrone-corbin
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Brendan Haywood 'looking good'

Updated: March 12, 2012, 3:45 PM ET


DALLAS -- The struggling Dallas Mavericks expect to be two players closer to whole when they return from a much needed two days off.


Center Brendan Haywood and backup big man Brandan Wright are expected to play Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards when the defending NBA champions try to get back on track after losing three in a row and eight of their last 10 games.


http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/...t-back-tuesday
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Cavs' Anderson Varejao remains out

Updated: March 12, 2012, 5:59 PM ET


INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Cavaliers coach Byron Scott says center Anderson Varejao's broken right wrist will not be re-examined by doctors until next week.


Varejao has been out since Feb. 10, when he broke his wrist during a game against Milwaukee.



http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/76...d-broken-wrist