Magic 97, Bucks 87
Dwight Howard collected 28 points and 13 rebounds as the surging Orlando Magic won their seventh straight game Wednesday, holding off the Milwaukee Bucks, 97-87.
Hedo Turkoglu added 13 points and Jameer Nelson had 10, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Magic, who have not lost since Dec. 21.
Orlando controlled the first half with strong defense, holding Milwaukee to 35 points before the break. The Magic’s shooters were having some trouble getting started, but Howard’s 17 first-half points allowed them to take a 49-35 lead.
Orlando pushed the lead to as much as 19 points in the third quarter before letting Milwaukee creep back within 84-79 on John Salmons’ jumper with 4:05 left. Howard responded with a layup and Turkoglu drained a 3-pointer to bump the lead back to double digits.
Corey Maggette scored 21 points for the Bucks, who put only one starter - Salmons with 13 - in double figures while failing to crack 40 percent from the field.