Dwight Howard leads Orlando to a comfortable win over the New Jersey Nets
Dwight Howard scored 30 points and chipped in with 16 rebounds, completely blanking the New Jersey center Brook Lopez in the process, as Orlando overwhelmed the New Jersey Nets by 15 points at 105-90. The last time Orlando Magics set foot on the court they
handed the Minnesota Timberwolves their worst defeat ever, routing them by a whooping margin of 42 points. The night after setting a new franchise record for the most points scored in the first half, the Magics cast another spell as they breezed past the New
Jersey Nets.
The Nets were on the road for the first time, after losing ten games on a trot to finish the last season. They were aiming to put a halt to two match losing streaks, but
the odds were heavily stacked against them as Orlando went into the match with a 2-0 record at home this season with an average margin of victory at 35.5 points per game.
In by far the narrowest win of the season for Orlando Magics, the game started with the New Jersey Net's holding the Orlando offense. The Nets took an early 10-6 lead in
the quarter, but Orlando responded with an 11-0 run to lead at 17-10 with 3:53 to go in the quarter. The Nets however pushed their way back to finish the quarter, trailing by two points at 20-18.
The New Jersey Nets really turned the heat on, in the second quarter. Terrence Williams and Travis Outlaw led the Nets assault as they raced to a 10 point advantage at 51-41
with 1:39 to go till the end of the first half. The Nets shot five 3-pointers in this period, to stun the Magics. The Magics rallied back with a 7-0 run at the end of the quarter though, to make it a three point game at 48-51, as the teams went to the locker
room.
The Orlando Magics came after the break with a bang; they completely outmaneuvered and out ran the New Jersey defense as they routed them by a margin of 16 points in the
third quarter, to head into the final period comfortably leading by 13 points at 80-67. Mickael Pietrus slipped in three 3-pointers in that period, celebrating with his arm raised and tongue out after the last one as the match slipped from the grasp of the
New Jersey Nets.
The Magics started the fourth quarter from where they finished the third. They maintained a strangle-hold on the match throughout this period and never gave the Nets any
hope of a comeback. They outscored the Nets in this quarter again to stroll to a comfortable win.
Dwight Howard was the star for the Magics again. He not only scored 30 points with 9-for-13 shooting, but was also the backbone of the defense for the Orlando outfit. The
two times NBA reigning defensive player of the year completely outplayed his opposite number, Brook Lopez. Lopez had a night to forget as the Nets center could not come to terms with his overwhelming counterpart and slumped to one of the worst games of his
young career. He shot only 3-for-17 and finished with 10 points as Howard bullied him throughout the game.
Post match he just managed to utter these words to reflect on the night
``It didn't get there by itself,'' Lopez said.
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was all praise for Howard after the match.
``My expectations are for him to play like that every night,'' He said.
``I don't take it for granted, but I know it's not easy to do or for him to play like that every night. I know if he puts great energy and focus into the game, those kind of games are possible every night.''
Jameer Nelson also chipped in with 20 points and six assists for the Magics, while Vince Carter also made his mark on the game with 19 points. Orlando shot 34-71 at 47.9
percent and also had 50 rebounds.
Travis Outlaw led the way for the Nets scoring 17 points while Terrence Williams followed suit with 15 points. Devin Harris who averaged 21.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 9.5
assists in the last four games he has played against the Magics, failed to turn it on this time. He only scored 14 points with 4 assists as the Nets conceded a third consecutive loss in the season.
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