by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Magic, Pacers

ORLANDO — Depending on who you listened to Monday night, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is either being mauled every night while officials swallow their whistles — or he’s a thug who should be suspended for throwing a punch.

It was all about perspective.

As expected, the Magic beat the Indiana Pacers, 106-98, Monday night, but not before a surprisingly-close, very-physical game turned into a debate on the way officials are either protecting or punishing Howard.

“It’s out of hand, what they’re letting people do to Dwight (Howard),” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “If you’re going to let people continue to hit him around the head, and grab him around the neck, those are flagrant fouls, and they need to be called.”

Although Van Gundy was making similar remarks even before the game began, the debate was intensified by one play midway in the third period. Murphy fouled Howard hard, wrapping his arm around Howard’s shoulder and neck to draw the call. Howard swung his right arm in frustration, trying to free himself. He never connected.