ekansekans's blog: "df"

CLEVELAND -- Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy says hes preparing to play the rest of the regular season and playoffs without injured star Dwight Howard. Chad Greenway Elite Jersey . Howard will miss his fourth straight game with a back injury Sunday against the Cavaliers. He was diagnosed with a herniated disk last week. Howard will rest the injury for 10 days and then be re-evaluated. Van Gundy said before Sundays game that he would consider it a bonus if Howard or forward Hedo Turkoglu, who is sidelined with a facial fracture, return at some point this season. The playoffs begin April 28. "Were approaching it that the 13 (healthy) guys we have now are who were going to have the rest of the season and in the playoffs," Van Gundy said. Howard joined his teammates in Cleveland, but a team spokesman said he would remain at the Magics hotel during the game. He will accompany the team back to Orlando, where the Magic host Philadelphia on Friday. Orlando, which is sixth in the Eastern Conference, can clinch a playoff spot with a win Sunday. The Magic were 1-4 without their standout centre going into the game. Howard has missed six games overall with the injury. The team initially said he had back spasms. He hasnt played since scoring 20 points and grabbing 22 rebounds on April 7 against Philadelphia. Howard was diagnosed with the herniated disk on Friday in Los Angeles. Before this season, Howard had only missed two games in his career because of injury. Howard is averaging 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds. Turkoglu, who has started 52 games, hasnt played since April 5. Hes averaging 10.7 points and is shooting 34.9 per cent on 3-pointers. With Howard and Turkoglu sidelined, Van Gundy said he will keep his current lineup intact with Glen Davis at centre with Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson at forward. J.J. Redick and Jameer Nelson start in the backcourt. "You never know, but thats who I plan to start the rest of the way," Van Gundy said. Howards injury is the latest drama in the Magics ongoing soap opera that has grabbed more attention than the teams record. Howard has been the subject of season-long trade rumours until declaring his intention to remain in Orlando for one more year. The controversy continued earlier this month when Van Gundy acknowledged that Howard asked team management to fire him. Howard has since denied that. Christian Ponder Womens Jersey . Winless in 65 starts in three seasons on the 50-and-over tour, the 53-year-old Senior birdied seven of the first 13 holes and closed with five pars in breezy afternoon conditions. Christian Ponder Jersey . -- Nate McCoy used a 7-under 65 on Friday to build a three-shot lead through two rounds at the Syncrude Boreal Open. http://www.minnesotavikingsgears.com/brett-favre-jersey/ . Fournels strong start was not enough to keep her on pace with the tough field of competitors, which included top contenders Natasa Douchev-Janics of Hungary and Polands Marta Walczykiewicz. Jared Allen Youth Jersey .Y. -- The New York Knicks are close to getting back some sorely needed scoring punch. Jared Allen Purple Jersey . -- Major League Baseball could start in-season testing for human growth hormone next year.NEW YORK -- Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors and other Grand Slam champions will play a series of matches around the country in October and November. Patrick Rafter, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Mats Wilander and Todd Martin are also scheduled to compete in the four-player mini-tournaments. Each event will feature one-set semifinals and a one-set title match. Formerly known as the CChampions Series, the PowerShares Series will open Oct. Christian Ponder Camo Jersey. 13 in Surprise, Ariz., and wrap up Nov. 30 in Anaheim, Calif. Other cities visited include Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Tampa, Fla., Atlanta, San Jose, Calif., Las Vegas and Denver. The players will earn points over the course of the series, with the top three finishers splitting a US$1 million purse. ' ' '