Magic 89, Bobcats 77
Dwight Howard had 26 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Orlando Magic to an 89-77 victory over the visiting Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.
Jameer Nelson scored 15 points and Quentin Richardson added 14 points as Orlando (48-28) halted a two-game losing streak.
Dante Cunningham scored 21 points for Charlotte (32-43), which had a four-game winning streak snapped and fell two games behind the Indiana Pacers for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Richardson’s point total was his highest since early December and he hit two 3-pointers during a 10-2 run fourth-quarter run in which the Magic took an 80-66 lead with 6:33 remaining.
Orlando never trailed after Ryan Anderson’s 3-pointer in the first quarter broke a 14-14 tie. The Magic led 49-39 at halftime.
D.J. Augustin scored 19 points and Kwame Brown had 11 rebounds for the Bobcats, who were without leading scorer Stephen Jackson (hamstring).
Hedo Turkoglu and Brandon Bass added 12 points apiece for Orlando.