Magic 117, Warriors 109
Dwight Howard tied his career high with 45 points, surpassed the NBA record for free-throw attempts and grabbed 23 rebounds as the visiting Orlando Magic held off the Golden State Warriors for a 117-109 victory Thursday night.
Howard was 21 of 39 at the line, attempting five more than Wilt Chamberlain’s mark in 1962.
Still, the Magic did not put the game away until the final minute when Howard completed a three-point play and Von Wafer made a 3-pointer to cap an 8-0 game-closing run.
Led by Howard, Orlando (8-3) had an overwhelming advantage at the free-throw line, making 36 of 55 to Golden State's 13 of 19.
Hedo Turkoglu had 20 points and nine assists, J.J. Redick scored 13 points and Ryan Anderson had 11 for the Magic.
For the Warriors (3-7), Monta Ellis scored 30 points and 11 assists, David Lee had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Nate Robinson and Klay Thompson each scored 14 off the bench.
The biggest news Thursday for the Warriors came off the court. Forward Kwame Brown is expected to miss at least three months because of a chest injury, possibly keeping him out for the rest of the season.
Brown will have surgery in the next few days to repair a tear in his chest muscle that attaches to his right shoulder. The Warriors said he could return for the last week of the regular season.