NBA Roundup - January 30, 2011: Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers win (Part 2)
Orlando Magic 103 – Cleveland Cavaliers 87
Ryan Anderson netted a career-high 23 points and added a career-high 16 rebounds as the Orlando Magic downed the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-87, at Amway Center in Orlando.
Dwight Howard posted 20 points and 20 rebounds for the Magic, who have won the 31st game of the current season. J.J. Redick added another 17 points while Brandon Bass and Jason Richardson ended with 12 points apiece in the home victory.
Rookie Manny Harris paced the Cavaliers with a team-high 20 points. Rookie Samardo Samuels totaled a career-high 16 points while Ryan Hollins added 11 points for Cleveland, who recorded 20th straight loss and 30th in last 31 games.
The Magic established a strong base in the opening quarter, taking a 33-17 lead into the second.
Cleveland coach Byron Scott said, “The first quarter killed us. You get down 33-17 and then it is going to be a battle all night long. Against teams like this, it is going to be hard to win. We've got to figure out a way to stay closer in the first half."
Trailing 56-43 at the break, the Cavaliers got some sizzling shots from Harris in the third as he added 10 points in the quarter. However, Orlando still outscored Cleveland, 23-20, in the third quarter and widened their lead to 79-63 entering the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia 76ers 110 – Denver Nuggets 99
Andre Iguodala played one of his best games in Sixers uniform, scoring a team-high 24 points, seven assists, four steals and three rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers handed the Denver Nuggets a, 110-99, loss at Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia had six players in double figures. Thaddeus Young had 21 points while Elton Brand netted 15 points for Philadelphia, who swept the season series against the Nuggets for the first time since 2002-03.
Chauncey Billups added game-high 27 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds in a losing effort. J.R. Smith scored 23 points while Nene and Carmelo Anthony contributed 12 points apiece for Denver, who are now 4-0 on a five-game road trip.
Both teams made a cautious start and generally maintained parity in the first twelve minutes. However, the Nuggets managed to take a 34-32 lead into the second.
The Sixers upped their ante in the second quarter, shooting 56 percent from the field, to lead by three (54- 51) at the break. Philadelphia extended the offensive play to the third quarter as they maintained a double-digit (82-72) lead after three quarters.
Denver fought hard in the final stanza and came within seven points, 89-82, with 8:52 left. The Sixers however hung tough down the stretch to carve out 11 point win.
Head coach of Philadelphia Doug Collins stated after the game, "The team I know I have had all year showed up once again today.”
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