Howard helps Orlando Magic beat Philadelphia 76ers 99-95
It is not very often that the Orlando Magic lose when Dwight Howard has a big night.
However, they were faced with that possibility against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Trailing by as many as eight points, deep into the third quarter, the Sixers launched a vociferous comeback to turn the heat on Orlando. The Magic however,
managed to hold on for a 99-95 win.
After Philadelphia’s Lou Williams banged an outside jumper to pull the Sixers within two with 26.9 seconds left, the cat was really among the pigeons. The Magic though remained calm. Playing with patience and grit, the men from the Sunshine State passed
well and threw the ball to Howard.
The intimidating centre didn’t disappoint. Howard lunged towards the rim with all his force for a layup and also plucked a foul on the way. His momentous three-point play proved vital as it finally sealed the game for the Magic, capping a night packed with
timely perimeter shooting and sensational transition defence.
Howard led all scorers with 30 points, 17 boards and two blocks as he marshalled his team to victory. On the night though, he added a much needed weapon to his arsenal; free throws. Found wanting in that department throughout the season with a paltry percentage
of 57.9, the five-time consecutive All-Star starter finally overcame his demons, shooting 14-of-19 from the charity stripe.
His free-throw shooting prowess ultimately proved to be the difference in the end as the Magic defeated the Sixers for the 14th time in the last 16 games.
Sixers Coach Doug Collins, who watched his team fall short after hounding the Magic for the entire match, said, "The big difference is Howard stepped to the line and made his free throws. You have to give him credit."
Five other Magic players notched up double figures with J.J. Reddick coming off the bench to lead with 13 points. Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson had 12 points apiece while swingman Hedo Turkoglu finished with 10 points and six assists.
Lou Williams led the Sixers with 23 points - 18 of which came in a thrilling final quarter - as he nearly spurred the Sixers to a comeback win. Andre Iguodala scored 21 points and handed out eight assists, while point guard Jodie Meeks had 17 points for
the Sixers.
Entering the match on the back of a blow-out victory against Eastern Conference giants, the Atlanta Hawks, the Sixers kept the Magic at bay throughout the first quarter. The game was tied at 16-each with less than four minutes left in the opening quarter
before the Sixers closed the quarter with an 11-2 run. The Magic shot just 31.6 percent from the floor in the first 12 minutes.
The Magic however, quickly bounced back in the second quarter. Howard made a jumper to start an early 9-2 run that brought the Magic to within two. They continued to press on and finally took the lead with over four minutes left in the half as Jason Richardson
knocked one from downtown. Orlando outshot Philadelphia 52.4 percent to 36.8 percent in the second quarter as they stormed to a 49-47 lead at half time.
The see-saw battled continued in the second stanza as both teams showcased their offensive brilliance. Orlando though managed to stay within touching distance, entering the final period with a five-point advantage.
The Phillies were however, determined to put up a fight. Down by 77-69 with 11 minutes remaining, they rattled the Magic with an eight-point unanswered run to tie the game at 77 within three minutes.
The Magic bounced back though, launching a barrage of long-range shots in the following minutes as they sprinted ahead by seven with less than two minutes left. The Sixers tried their heart out to get back into the game but did not come closer than two
points in the rest of the period, as a pair of charity throws from Jason Richardson finally settled the game.
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