USA - Howard dominates in the Windy City

CHICAGO (NBA/Olympics) - When Dwight Howard brings his 'A' game into an NBA clash, there's not much any opponent can do to stop him, or even slow the Orlando Magic center down.

Howard, whose future remains unsettled in Orlando, couldn't have done much more on Thursday night in a 99-94 victory at Chicago - a result that snapped the Bulls' eight-game winning streak.

Averaging 20.7 points, 15 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, the 27-year-old had 29, 18 and three as the Magic bounced back from an embarrassing defeat at Charlotte earlier in the week.

The biggest chink in his armor is his free-throw shooting, with Howard making just 49% at the line this season but against the Bulls, he was seven of 10 (70%).

Even with his issues at the charity stripe, Howard is a player that any team would love to have in its line-up.

He could end up with a new team before the 15 March NBA trade deadline.

Before the game against the Bulls, an outfit that Howard has been linked with, the Team USA star said: "My thing is I want to win and I want to put my team in the best position.

"I've given Orlando eight hard years, everything I've got, and they all understand that.

"So that's where I'll keep it and not focus on what's going to happen tomorrow or the next day but just focus on the moment …”

It's unclear how Howard's contract status may affect his participation with Team USA.

He played for the United States at the 2008 Olympics and helped them win the gold medal, and in January, USA Basketball named him as one of 20 finalists for this summer's Olympic team.

The Eastern Conference All-Star can opt out of his contract with Orlando after the season and has let it be known that he wants to be traded, although the Magic are hoping to re-sign their veteran.

When announcing the finalists for the Olympic team, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said one reason why the list was expanded to 20 was because some players may be dealing with free agency.

"But when you think about free agency," Colangelo said, "we do have some players who fall into the unrestricted category: Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups...

"That moratorium is scheduled to end July 7, and we will probably start practice on the 6th. 

"Players can sign July 8. 

"So I think we are just protecting our back side, if you will, by having more flexibility."

All Howard can do right now is play at an elite level for Orlando and remind everyone why his presence in the line-up in London would, in the opinion of many, strengthen the Americans’ title defense.

FIBA