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Magic win physical duel with fiery Pacers
Source: Agencies |
December 16, 2009, Wednesday
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THE Orlando Magic sprinted to the finish line with a late run to turn back the Indiana Pacers 106-98 in a physical contest on Monday.
Vince Carter scored a game-high 28 points while Dwight Howard powered his way to 21 points and 23 rebounds for the Magic, who used a 12-2 spurt in the last few minutes to run away with what had been a close contest.
Trailing 96-94 with 4:58 left, Orlando scored 10 straight points over the next four minutes to halt a stretch of two straight losses and improve to 18-6 on the season.
It was a strong recovery for Howard, who was held to just one field goal attempt against the Phoenix Suns on Friday but endured some hard fouls to dominate the Pacers.
"It's out of hand what they're letting people do to Dwight," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I don't care who you are. You can only take that for so long."
Looking for their third straight win, the Pacers (8-14) faltered down the stretch with turnovers and missed shots despite 26 points from Mike Dunleavy.
Playing without leading scorer Danny Granger, who is out for at least four weeks with a foot injury, Indiana came out hot and led 36-19 early in the second quarter before Orlando responded and pulled back to within one by halftime.
In the third quarter, Howard was grabbed violently by Indiana's Troy Murphy and the two confronted each other. Both received technical fouls.
"I just have to stay calm," Howard said. "Guys are going to do whatever they can to get me frustrated. I just got to stay frustration-free and injury-free."
The All-Star big man also had four blocks including one as the Magic held Indiana scoreless during a four-minute stretch towards the end of the game.
Orlando's defense came up big late to compensate for the team's 42 percent shooting. Anthony Johnson and J.J. Redick both scored 13 points off the bench for the home side.
Murphy finished with 14 points for the Pacers while rookie Tyler Hansbrough had just eight points after entering the game averaging more than 17 points and seven rebounds in his last three games.
In Memphis, Tennessee, the Boston Celtics won their 11th straight game and extended their lead in the NBA standings with a 110-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Paul Pierce scored 19 points and Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo added 18 each for Boston, which led by eight points with 2:49 left before Memphis answered with six straight points to get within two with 90 seconds left.
Kevin Garnett's jump shot from the top of the key stopped the rally, and Allen sealed it for the Celtics by hitting a 3-pointer as the shot clock was running out with 17.5 seconds left.
In Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points - his fourth straight game with at least 30 - as Denver beat Oklahoma City 102-93 for the fifth straight time.
In other action, it was: Mavericks 94, Hornets 90; Timberwolves 110, Jazz 108; Clippers 97, Wizards 95; and 76ers 117, Warriors 101.
Vince Carter scored a game-high 28 points while Dwight Howard powered his way to 21 points and 23 rebounds for the Magic, who used a 12-2 spurt in the last few minutes to run away with what had been a close contest.
Trailing 96-94 with 4:58 left, Orlando scored 10 straight points over the next four minutes to halt a stretch of two straight losses and improve to 18-6 on the season.
It was a strong recovery for Howard, who was held to just one field goal attempt against the Phoenix Suns on Friday but endured some hard fouls to dominate the Pacers.
"It's out of hand what they're letting people do to Dwight," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I don't care who you are. You can only take that for so long."
Looking for their third straight win, the Pacers (8-14) faltered down the stretch with turnovers and missed shots despite 26 points from Mike Dunleavy.
Playing without leading scorer Danny Granger, who is out for at least four weeks with a foot injury, Indiana came out hot and led 36-19 early in the second quarter before Orlando responded and pulled back to within one by halftime.
In the third quarter, Howard was grabbed violently by Indiana's Troy Murphy and the two confronted each other. Both received technical fouls.
"I just have to stay calm," Howard said. "Guys are going to do whatever they can to get me frustrated. I just got to stay frustration-free and injury-free."
The All-Star big man also had four blocks including one as the Magic held Indiana scoreless during a four-minute stretch towards the end of the game.
Orlando's defense came up big late to compensate for the team's 42 percent shooting. Anthony Johnson and J.J. Redick both scored 13 points off the bench for the home side.
Murphy finished with 14 points for the Pacers while rookie Tyler Hansbrough had just eight points after entering the game averaging more than 17 points and seven rebounds in his last three games.
In Memphis, Tennessee, the Boston Celtics won their 11th straight game and extended their lead in the NBA standings with a 110-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Paul Pierce scored 19 points and Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo added 18 each for Boston, which led by eight points with 2:49 left before Memphis answered with six straight points to get within two with 90 seconds left.
Kevin Garnett's jump shot from the top of the key stopped the rally, and Allen sealed it for the Celtics by hitting a 3-pointer as the shot clock was running out with 17.5 seconds left.
In Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points - his fourth straight game with at least 30 - as Denver beat Oklahoma City 102-93 for the fifth straight time.
In other action, it was: Mavericks 94, Hornets 90; Timberwolves 110, Jazz 108; Clippers 97, Wizards 95; and 76ers 117, Warriors 101.
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