National Basketball Association

Howard suspended one game for techs

Published Mar. 5, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has been suspended for one game without pay for picking up his 16th technical foul of the season. He will serve the suspension Monday when the Magic are home against Portland.

The penalty was announced Saturday by NBA executive Stu Jackson.

Howard told the Orlando Sentinel on Sunday that his suspension is proof that the league is trying to make an example out of him.

"I think it's like they want to make an example out of me, but I'll just stay positive and continue to do all the things that I do to bring fun to the game.

"That's all I can do," he added. "I'm not a bad guy. I'm not a hothead because I get techs, and I think that's the message that people want to put across.

"I guess last year it was I smiled too much. Now I don't smile. And now I'm a hothead."

Howard leads the NBA in technicals this season. His latest one came with 1:41 left in the first half Friday night against Chicago. With the Bulls up 43-29, Howard came down with an offensive rebound and was hit on the top of his head by Kyle Korver.

Korver was whistled for a foul but took a swipe at the ball moments after the play. That prompted Howard to swing his elbows. The referee separated the players and also called a technical on Howard.

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