By Matt Rochinski and David Walters
bobcats.com
December 29, 2011

FRIDAY'S KEY MATCHUP
Boris Diaw and DJ White vs. Dwight Howard
The Orlando Magic come to town on Friday night and with them comes one of the league’s best centers in Dwight Howard… The Bobcats have been starting Boris Diaw at center this season and, while this leaves them undersized at the position, it has worked out well so far… Diaw has averaged 12.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game through the first two outings of the season and will likely draw the defensive assignment against Howard… D.J. White has been starting at power forward while Tyrus Thomas recovers from a mild left ankle sprain and has averaged 8.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.00 blocks in his two starts… Howard averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.00 blocks per game versus the Bobcats in 2010-11 but those averages are down (16.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.50 blocks) through two NBA games this season … The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year provides a commanding presence in the paint, making this a matchup to keep an eye on.

SUNDAY'S KEY MATCHUP
Corey Maggette vs. LeBron James
On Wednesday, we went with Henderson and Dwyane Wade and could not have been more spot on as Henderson hit a huge 3-pointer to give Charlotte a 95-94 lead, but Wade banked home the game-winner with 2.9 seconds remaining… Still, Wade only had 10 points, while James had a game-high 35 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds… Most of James’ damage was done in the post in the second half, as he took advantage of mismatches against smaller guards, so the larger Maggette (6-6) is going to need to step up his game to try and keep James in check… Maggette struggled through a 1-for-10 shooting night on Monday while battling a cold and was held out of practice Thursday due to the same illness… He’s expected to be back on Friday, so hopefully a day or two’s rest will help him to rebound with a better offensive performance… Maggette scored 12 points with seven rebounds and two assists in the opener against Milwaukee... Head Coach Paul Silas said earlier in camp that if Maggette plays up to his potential he can be an All-Star this season. Going head-to-head with James will give him a chance to prove it.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS (1-1)
After winning their season opener at home against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Bobcats dropped a heartbreaker against the Heat two days later at Time Warner Cable Arena®… D.J. Augustin had another strong performance with 20 points and six assists despite playing on a sore ankle and continues to be listed as day-to-day. He’s averaging 19.5 points, 7.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds in two games… Gerald Henderson has had a strong start to the season as well averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks and Kemba Walker has been coming off the bench to average 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists to round out a young but strong backcourt for the Bobcats… This game is the last of three straight home games to open the season for the Bobcats… Charlotte will play its first road game of the season on New Year’s Day in Miami.

SCOUTING THE MAGIC (1-1, as of 12/29)
After dropping their opener to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Christmas Day the Magic defeated the Houston Rockets, 104-95, in Orlando on Monday… Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 23 points and Howard had 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks… J.J. Redick chipped in 20 points off the bench and has been a key contributor off the bench so far this season, averaging 14.5 points in 25.5 minutes… Ryan Anderson is the team’s leading scorer at 16.5 points per game and has hit 8-of-20 3-point attempts this season… One thing the Bobcats may have working to their advantage is that Orlando will be coming off a Thursday night home game against New Jersey.

SCOUTING THE HEAT (3-0, as of 12/29)
Miami has started off this season with three straight wins and seems more focused on making a serious title run this season… James is leading the way with averages of 32.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.33 steals and 1.67 blocks, so he knows how to fill a stat sheet… Wade follows with averages of 20.0 points and 6.0 assists but was limited by a foot injury he had in the first half in Charlotte and finished with just 10 points, including the game winner… Chris Bosh rounds out the “Big Three” with averages of 15.7 points and 8.0 rebounds… Norris Cole is the only other Heat player averaging in double-digit scoring with 10.7 points… Miami plays in Minnesota on Friday and could be returning to South Beach on a four-game winning streak.

TUNE IN
The Bobcats tip off against the Magic at 7 p.m. Friday and in Miami at 6 p.m. Monday on SportSouth. You can also catch all the action on WFNZ. Don't forget to join the live chat whether you're watching from home or here at Time Warner Cable Arena® using the Bobcats App.