Sports

Many of the sports world experts picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the West and the Miami Heat to win the East. With Oklahoma City dispatching of the Orlando Magic on Christmas, 97-89, it's easy to see why.

Glen Davis, shown here, delivered big time in the final tuneup for the Magic at home against the Heat before both teams open on the road Christmas Sunday.

ORLANDO -- Glen Davis scored 13 of the Magic's team-high 18 points in the third quarter at home Wednesday night to get by the Miami Heat in the final preseason game for both teams.

Vince Carter made his preseason debut for the Dallas Mavericks, shooting 4 for 11 for 9 points, as the Mavs lost on the road to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 106 to 92 Sunday, in preseason action. The Dallas Mavericks open the 2011-'12 NBA regular season at home Christmas Day against the Miami Heat, the team they beat in the finals to win the NBA championship last season.

Here is a video clip from Orlando Magic Media day where Dwight Howard softened his stance on being traded before he can opt out of his contract in July with the team getting nothing in return.

ORLANDO -- Dwight Howard did an about face -- sort of -- today, telling NBA beat writers he has not given up on the Orlando Magic, his teammates or the fans.

ESPN's NBA insider Chris Broussard talks about Dwight Howard trade talks in the left video and at right, Howard is interviewed during an All-Star game practice about his admiration for Kobe Bryant.

ORLANDO -- This is not a good Sunday if you are an Orlando Magic fan: With the shocking news earlier today that Dwight Howard wants to be traded, it looks like the Magic have plenty of suitors .

Everything wasn't rosy, but there was a smattering of pink for breast cancer awareness.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Seabreeze Sandcrabs ran all over the New Smyrna Beach High Cudas at home Friday night and with the 49-21 romp, eliminated them from a chance at the playoffs.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard tells media Wednesday he supports teammates Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Jason Richardson joining him on the 2012 NBA All-Star ballot.

ORLANDO -- If Dwight Howard had his way, he'd have teammates Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Jason Richardson joining him in the marquee game, but he's the only shoo in with the ballot unveiled Wednesday.

ORLANDO -- It's pretty much a given that when the 61st annual NBA All-Star game is played here at the Amway Arena, Dwight Howard will be the starting center. But he may not be alone.

Three other Magic players are on the All-Star ballot: Point guard Jameer Nelson, shooting guard Jason Richardson and small forward Hedo Turkoglu. Richardson has had a phenomenal start in the early going of this contracted season following the lockout, but Howard is clearly the star attraction not only on the Magic squad, but the league as a whole.

All eyes will be on the four-time All-Star with the likely trade talk swirling gain as the NBA's best come to town with the likes of LeBron James of the Miami Heat, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The last time Orlando hosted the All-Star game was 1992, with Magic Johnson's return to the NBA after his shocking announcement that he had contracted the HIV virus. Johnson won the game's most valuable player award.

Highlights of the Feb. 9, 1992, game were shown Wednesday as the Magic and the league joined in announcing the start of balloting for the All-Star Game. Magic Johnson led the West to a 153-113 blowout over the Eastern Conference all stars.

Howard said he's pumped about the game: "It is special having it here. We've been talking about this for the last couple of years and how we were going to make this game very exciting and good for our city... We're looking forward to putting on a good show for Orlando.''

ORLANDO -- The New Jersey Nets don't have center Brook Lopez. The Orlando Magic have center Dwight Howard. Translation: Nets get blown out. And that's exactly what happened before the home crowd Thursday night as the Magic easily dispatched of the Nets, 94-78.

NSBNews.net graphic / Vince Carter Sports Notebook

DAYTONA BEACH -- Vince Carter's place as the starting shooting guard lasted all of one game as the Dallas Mevericks went with Delonte West in Monday's 115 to 93 drubbing by the Denver Nuggets, 115 to 93 on Monday night.