Jameer Nelson says matchup with Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers is "just another game"

Jameer Nelson played eight seasons alongside Dwight Howard with the Orlando Magic and shared team captaincy duties with him for some of those years. Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers visit Orlando on Tuesday, playing at Amway Center for the first time since the Magic traded Howard to L.A. on August 10th. Speaking with Magic broadcaster Paul Kennedy after Sunday's 99-91 win against the Philadelphia 76ers, Nelson downplayed the importance of the game.

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"It can't be just another game for Jameer Nelson and the Magic," Kennedy remarked.

"It is just another game," Nelson said matter-of-factly, going on to emphasize the importance of playing cohesively as a team in Tuesday's showdown.

On Wednesday, the Orlando Sentinel asked Nelson for comment in response to remarks that Howard made about his former teammates. Nelson replied strongly, but with a degree of civility. "I would be less of a man to comment on certain things that people comment on about me and my teammates," Nelson said.

Nelson posted 19 points and 13 assists against the Lakers in December, his first-ever head-to-head matchup against Howard. Orlando scored 40 points in the fourth quarter to win that game, 113-103.

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