Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard recorded his NBA-leading 46th double-double of the season with 30 points and 16 rebounds, as the Orlando Magic handled the Houston Rockets, 110-92, at the Toyota Center.
Dwight Howard’s Big Night Propels Magic Over Rockets 110-92
Jameer Nelson added 17 points and nine assists for the Magic, who have won two in a row and six of eight overall. Vince Carter donated 16 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Rashard Lewis chipped in 13 points for the victors.
Aaron Brooks finished with 24 points, eight assists, and six rebounds for the Rockets, who have dropped three straight and six of seven overall. Kevin Martin tallied 19 points. Shane Battier had 14 points and nine rebounds, while Chase Budinger donated 13 points and a career-high six assists off the bench in defeat.
Trailing 14-11 late in the first quarter, the Magic ripped off 10 straight points. Matt Barnes and Nelson each made three-pointers during the burst, which Jason Williams capped with a layup to give Orlando a 21-14 margin. The score was 23-18 after 12 minutes.
Ahead 33-29 near the midway point of the second, the Magic gained some breathing room with a 24-7 burst. Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick, Nelson, and Mickael Pietrus each made treys during the stretch, with the latter making it a 57-36 game with 38 seconds left. The Magic held a 60-40 lead at the half.
Houston closed the third on a 17-6 flurry to cut the deficit to 11. Martin tallied 10 points during the run, including a pair of free throws to make it 85-74 heading to the fourth.
The Rockets couldn’t carry that momentum into the fourth, never getting closer than nine in the final 12 minutes.
Houston was without forward Trevor Ariza (hip)...The Magic defeated Houston, 102-87, back on December 23 at Amway Arena to snap a three-game slide in the series. The Rockets have still won 12 of the last 16 matchups with Orlando...The Magic shot 49.4 percent from the floor, while Houston made 42.9 percent of its shots.
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