Howard, Nowitzki gain NBA weekly honors

Howard was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday. He was instrumental in leading Orlando to a 3-1 mark, posting double-doubles in all four games.

He registered per-game averages of 26.3 points and 14.5 rebounds, and shot 62 percent from the field. He made the game-winning shot in the Magic's 100-99 win over Washington Monday.

Nowitzki, meanwhile, garnered the Western Conference honors.

He averaged 31.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in four wins for the Mavs, including a 42-point game in Tuesday's 88-84 win over Detroit.

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