Orlando beats Dwight Howard’s Lakers in reunion
Associated Press
Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, center, goes up for a shot as Orlando Magic forward Glen Davis, left, and guard J.J. Redick defend during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Magic won 113-103. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — Arron Afflalo scored 30 points, and Glen Davis added 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Orlando Magic beat Dwight Howard in their first game against their longtime center, stunning the Los Angeles Lakers 113-103 on Sunday.
Howard had 21 points and 15 rebounds against his former team, but the rebuilding Magic rallied impressively for a 40-point fourth quarter for just their fourth win in 14 games, snapping a three-game skid.
Orlando did it partly by intentionally fouling Howard, who went 9 for 21 at the line — including 7 for 14 in the fourth quarter.
Kobe Bryant scored 34 points for the Lakers, who dropped to 3-4 under new coach Mike D’Antoni with another inconsistent performance with deficient defense. Metta World Peace scored 15 points, and Pau Gasol added 11.
Jameer Nelson had 19 points and 13 assists after nearly sitting out with tendinitis during the Magic’s most impressive win under new coach Jacque Vaughn. Orlando also started a stretch of five road games in eight days with just its second road win all season.
New York’s Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points, helping the Knicks beat the Phoenix Suns 106-99 for their third consecutive win to remain unbeaten at home.
Raymond Felton had 23 points, seven assists and no turnovers for the Knicks, who are 7-0 at Madison Square Garden and 12-4 overall, a half-game behind Miami for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The point guard was hurting after the game. He went for an MRI exam that revealed a bone bruise in his swollen left hand.
Tyson Chandler finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Knick also shook off the first ejection of Rasheed Wallace’s comeback — after a mere 1:25 of playing time — that left them short-handed. Jason Kidd missed a fourth straight game with lower back spasms.
Marcin Gortat had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who dropped their third straight and fell to 1-4 on their season-high, six-game road trip that ends Tuesday in Memphis. Shannon Brown scored 17 points.
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Tags: Dwight Howard , Kobe Bryant , Los Angeles Lakers , National Basketball association , NBA , Orlando Magic
