Orlando Magic News for January 3rd: Keeping Tabs on Brandon Bass, Dwight Howard's Technical Fouls, and Former Magic Players Struggling in Phoenix

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel says ailing Orlando Magic power forward Brandon Bass went through the team's shootaround this morning and is "optimistic" he'll be available tonight against the Golden State Warriors. Should the team hold him out, however, coach Stan Van Gundy said he would move J.J. Redick to the starting lineup and shift Hedo Turkoglu to power forward in Bass' place.

Robbins also says the NBA rescinded the technical foul Dwight Howard earned in Thursday's win against the New York Knicks, leaving him with 11 technicals on the season.

Keep track of Howard's technical fouls at Magic Basketball Online. Brian Serra has put together this list of Howard's technicals, including the ones the league has rescinded.

Seth Pollack of Bright Side of the Sun, SB Nation's Phoenix Suns blog, breaks down how the players Phoenix acquired from the Magic two weeks ago goofed in the waning minutes of a loss to the Sacramento Kings last night. Vince Carter missed several defensive assignments, Marcin Gortat committed a silly foul, and with the game in the balance, Mickael Pietrus took an ill-advised three-pointer.

This photo of Redick and Turkoglu, coupled with the Magic's recent success, provides some hope Orlando's season will improve in the 2011 portion of the schedule.