NEW YORK (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Orlando are off to a terrific start to the new NBA season and it's their Team USA center Dwight Howard who is leading the way.

Howard, who poured in 25 points for the Magic on Wednesday night as they thumped previously unbeaten Phoenix 122-100, is averaging 18.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game.

The big man has confirmed he will feature at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey for the Americans.

France's Mickael Pietrus is also likely to play for his country at the 24-team event.

He was three of five from long range for Orlando and scored 15 points against the Suns.

Here is how some of the other players likely headed to Turkey performed in the NBA on Wednesday.

Spain

• Marc Gasol - The Memphis Grizzlies aren't winning, falling to a 113-105 defeat at Golden State to drop to 1-4, but Gasol has been solid in every game. He had 12 points and 14 boards.

Argentina

• Andres Nocioni - The Sacramento forward started and played 32 minutes in the Kings' 113-105 defeat to Atlanta. Nocioni had 14 points and six rebounds.
• Luis Scola - The Argentina power forward fouled out after scoring 16 points and pulling down 13 boards in a 103-102 overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Team USA

• Chris Paul - The New Orleans star underlined his status as one of the best players in the world with a 39-point, seven-assist, five-rebound performance in the Hornets' 114-107 overtime win over Dallas.
• Kobe Bryant - The NBA superstar scored 41 points and came up with four steals as Los Angeles won in overtime against Houston.
• Dwyane Wade - The Miami Heat shooting guard poured in 40 points to lead his team to a 93-89 victory over Washington.

Brazil

• Nene - The Denver Nuggets ace had 16 points and nine rebounds while also swatting three shots in a 122-94 win over New Jersey.

Dominican Republic

• Charlie Villanueva - The Detroit Piston started and scored 16 points on seven of 13 shooting from the field in his team's 110-99 defeat at Toronto. Villanueva will play at the FIBA World Championship if the Dominicans receive a wild card.

Turkey

• Hedo Turkoglu - The Toronto Raptor finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists in his team's 11-point triumph over Detroit.

Canada

• Joel Anthony - The Miami power forward played 13 minutes and scored two points in his team’s win over Washington. Anthony had four rebounds and blocked a shot.

FIBA