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November 28, 2009

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Howard shines as Magic dazzle Hawks to take lead in division

Source: Agencies | November 28, 2009, Saturday | Print Edition

DWIGHT Howard responded to a halftime challenge from his coach to lead the Orlando Magic to a 93-76 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.

Howard amassed 22 points and 17 rebounds as the Magic recovered from a slow start to hand the Hawks their first home loss of the season.

"He's a monster," teammate Anthony Johnson told reporters of Howard. "At halftime, the coach challenged him to be the best man on the court and he stepped up and did that."

Atlanta was attempting to record a 8-0 home start for the first time since the 1993-94 season but instead slipped to a second straight defeat, despite 22 points from Joe Johnson.

In the day's only other National Basketball Association game, the Utah Jazz played the tune to gore the Chicago Bulls 105-86.

In Atlanta, the Hawks took a 51-39 lead into halftime but quickly lost momentum in the second half.

Vince Carter recorded 21 points and nine rebounds for the Magic, who surged ahead on the back of a 21-6 run in the fourth quarter that put the visitors 90-73 ahead with 1:36 left.

The win moved the Magic (12-4) ahead of the Hawks (11-4) at the top of the Southeast Division.

Atlanta has been a surprise package in the Eastern Conference this season thanks in part to improved play from young forward Josh Smith and the acquisition of key reserve Jamal Crawford.

Smith had 13 points and 13 rebounds and the Hawks closed the first half with a 16-3 run and held the Magic to just one field goal in that stretch.

However, the game turned in the third when Atlanta was outscored 14-28.

"We became a jump-shooting team in the third quarter," Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said. "They were going inside and getting to the free throw line and they made shots."

Last season's Defensive Player of the Year, Howard showed his offense with 10 points in the pivotal third and also finished with four blocks.

Johnson had 17 points off the bench as he helps fill the void of injured Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson, who is out with a knee injury.

The Hawks starting point guard Mike Bibby had 10 points and five assists in the loss.

In Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer scored 28 points as Utah ended a run of three defeats by Chicago. Deron Williams had 21 points and six assists for the Jazz, while Boozer also had eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Luol Deng had 26 points and eight rebounds for Chicago.
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