The Orlando Magic's infatuation with using Dwight Howard only on the high pick-and-roll when the game is on the line could cost them a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
LeBron James called Howard "the most dominant big man" in the NBA, yet Howard touched the ball once in the final minutes – that when the ball was inbounded and Howard probably shouldn't have been in the game because the Magic were down three and seconds were left. Watch Dallas in key spots and they give the ball to Dirk Nowitzki on the block or on the side of the lane time and again in key situations. Howard sets a pick and rolls to the basket while his teammates either fling an out-of-control pass to him, or try to throw a pass through four players who collapsed on him.
Howard was not pleased after the game, and he took time to think about it before blasting coach Stan Van Gundy. The Magic's approach is simply illogical. When the Magic draw up a needed game-winning play, it's more likely to include Hedo Torkgulo than Howard. There's something wrong with that when the "most dominant big man" in the league is on the court.
The flip side: Howard is not a great free-throw shooter, so the Magic run the risk of him being put on the line. That being said, Orlando's chances of not collapsing with a 10-point lead seem better with Howard on the block receiving the ball than with guys running around like they're not sure what to do.
The Magic got where they are by loving the three-point shot. They may find themselves out of the playoffs because of it.