Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Howard leads Magic past Timberwolves 100-89
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Dwight Howard had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Rashard Lewis also scored 23 points to lead the Orlando Magic to a 100-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Hedo Turkoglu added 22 for the Magic, who have won two of three despite missing their top three guards with injuries.
Al Jefferson had 19 to lead the Timberwolves.
The Magic took advantage of the Wolves' 3-of-12 shooting to open the third quarter with a 20-8 run, taking a 64-46 lead with just over three minutes left. Courtney Lee made a layup in the final seconds to give the Magic a 70-50 lead after three quarters.
Orlando's lead grew to as many as 21 in the final period.
Minnesota, predictably, attacked the Magic backcourt, which is missing two starters and its top reserve. The Wolves started the 6-foot-10 Jefferson at center and replaced normal center Jason Collins, who had started the last eight games, with guard Kevin Ollie.
Magic point guard Jameer Nelson has been sidelined with a strained hip flexor, but it's likely he will return Friday against Oklahoma City. Starting shooting guard Mickael Pietrus and top sub Keith Bogans remain sidelined for at least three more weeks with thumb injuries.
Lee, getting extended minutes because of the injuries, finished with 19 points and was 3-of-3 on 3s. J.J. Redick, getting his second straight start in place of Pietrus, was 1-of-4 on 3-pointers and had five points.
Anthony Johnson, a journeyman signed specifically to give Nelson an experienced backup, had two points and four assists.
Minnesota shot only 33 percent in the first quarter but, despite its smaller lineup, beat Orlando 15-8 on the boards and trailed 23-19. Orlando led 44-38 at halftime.
Minnesota forward Mike Miller was helped off the court and taken to the locker room early in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury. He returned with about two minutes left in the period.
The Magic were coming off a 107-88 loss to the defending NBA champion Celtics in Boston, which ended a four-game winning streak.
Minnesota opened its three-game road trip with a 100-90 loss to Charlotte on Monday. The Wolves had won six of 10 and seven of the last 12 games in this series.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
