Dwight Howard soars to NBA Live 10 cover

NBA 2K10 cover star Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers were victorious in the first two games of the 2009 NBA Finals, blowing out the Orlando Magic in game one and taking an overtime win in game two. Orlando reversed its fortunes in Tuesday night's game three, however, as the Magic's big man Dwight Howard came alive with 21 points and 14 rebounds to help lift the Magic past the Lakers in a tight 108-104 contest.

With game four of the NBA Finals tipping off tonight, Howard is already leading off the day well, as EA today announced the Magic center as its cover athlete for NBA Live 10. In development at EA Canada, the publisher's annual professional basketball simulation is expected to arrive on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PSP. EA notes that regional cover athletes will be named for France, Germany, Spain, and Italy at a later date.

Having joined the Magic upon entering the NBA as the No. 1 draft pick in 2004, Howard is a three-time All-Star and was named the 2009 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Howard also lent his height to the 2008 US Basketball Men's Senior National Team, which walked out of last year's Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with a gold medal. The affable center also picked up the nickname "Superman" following his notable 2008 Slam Dunk Contest appearance.

EA expects to reveal gameplay details for NBA Live 10 in the lead-up to the game's launch in October.