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Orlando is coming off last night's 87-56 loss at Boston, as it shot a dreadful 24.6 percent from the floor and made only 4-of-16 three-pointers. Howard was the only player in double figures for the Magic, finishing with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

 

"I can't explain it. I can't explain why," he said. "They took us out of everything we did. I'm not saying we don't deserve blame, give us a lot of blame, but also make sure you give them a lot of credit.

 

The Magic swept the three-game set with Indiana a season ago and has won the last five meetings between the teams. They are 12-3 in the past 15 matchups with Indiana, losers of three straight as the host in this series.

 

A favorite to win the championship again, Miami has been a bit uneven early in the season, compiling a solid, if unspectacular 11-5 mark.

 

The Heat have been without star guard Dwyane Wade during their current residency but won the first three tests before finally slipping on Sunday to Milwaukee. Brandon Jennings scored 23 points, dished out six assists and pulled down six rebounds in that one, leading the Bucks to the 91-82 win.

 

"Give them credit, they came in here and got a tough win," Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They did a great job of moving the ball and finding open gaps and cutting into open areas behind our defense."

 

The Heat, who are 6-2 at home this season, will make a quick stop in Detroit on Wednesday before returning to South Beach for three more games.

 

"That's just a learning experience for us," Irving said. "Play two great teams and just seeing things they do offensively and defensively, I think we all can learn something from it."

 

Fellow rookie Tristan Thompson contributed 16 points off the bench despite suffering a left ankle sprain in the fourth quarter. Alonzo Gee finished with 14 points and Ramon Sessions added 13 for Cleveland.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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