Dwight Howard poured in 20 points,
pulled down 22 rebounds, and blocked four shots, as the Orlando Magic took
down the New Jersey Nets, 95-85, at the Izod Center.
The story of the night was Vince Carter making his return to New Jersey, where
he spent four-plus seasons before coming to Orlando in a trade during the
offseason, but he left the game early.
Carter tallied 16 points and four assists before spraining his left ankle late
in the second quarter. The North Carolina product was driving to the lane when
he stepped on ex-teammate Devin Harris' foot, rolling his ankle in the
process. Carter went to the ground immediately and reached for his left ankle.
He was assisted to the locker room before halftime and didn't return to the
game.
Ryan Anderson, who also came to Orlando in the Carter trade, tallied 16 points
for the Magic, who blitzed Philadelphia, 120-106, on Wednesday. Brandon Bass
and J.J. Redick had 13 and 12 points, respectively, off the bench for the
victors.
Courtney Lee had 18 points for the Nets, who lost 95-93 to the Timberwolves on
Wednesday. Harris added 16 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Yi
Jianlian and Brook Lopez ended with 12 and 11 points, respectively, in defeat.
Orlando scored the first seven points of the third period to jump out to a
57-44 lead. Howard got things started with a dunk and Nelson capped the spurt
with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer.
A Chris Douglas-Roberts slam brought the Nets within 61-56 with 5:16 left in
the third, but the Magic scored the final six points of the quarter to build a
75-62 margin heading to the fourth.
New Jersey never got closer than nine in the final stanza.
The Magic held onto a 29-24 lead after 12 minutes of play. Ahead 37-35 with
about 5 1/2 minutes to go until half, Orlando ripped off eight consecutive
points to build a 10-point lead. Anderson and Carter each hit a three-pointer
to top off the flurry.
The Magic led 50-44 after two quarters of action.
Game Notes
The Magic shot 49.3 percent from the field, while the Nets made just 38.3
percent of their shots...Orlando won two of three over New Jersey last season
and has taken seven of nine in the series overall...Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony
Battie were also a part of the Carter trade that sent him to the Magic.
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