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Howard helps Orlando handle lowly Cavaliers

Jan 31, 2011 - 4:14 AM Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard finished with 20 points to go along with 20 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic easily handled the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-87, at Amway Center.

Ryan Anderson added a game-high 23 points and 16 rebounds for Orlando, which has won two of three. The Magic shot a subpar 41.3 percent from the field but were helped a 61-35 rebounding margin.

J.J. Redick added 17 points on 6-of-10 from the field and both Brandon Bass and Jason Richardson contributed 12 points for the Magic, who played without guard Gilbert Arenas.

The Magic announced late Sunday that Arenas would not play and is listed as day-to-day while he deals with a left knee contusion.

Manny Harris led the Cavaliers with 20 points and handed out six assists. Samardo Samuels added 16 points and Ryan Hollins scored 11 for Cleveland, but the effort was not enough to keep the Cavaliers from dropping their 20th straight contest.

"We can't allow ourselves to get behind 16 or 17 points and expect to come back," Cleveland coach Byron Scott said. "It was an uphill battle all night long."

Trailing 56-43 at the break, the Cavaliers got a boost from Harris in the third. The rookie guard scored 10 points in the quarter on a combined 4-of-5 from the field, including two three-pointers.

Despite only shooting 27.3 percent from the field, the Magic outscored Cleveland, 23-20, in the third quarter behind a 9-of-14 showing from the free throw line, and widened their margin to 79-63 entering the final stanza.

Both coaches removed the majority of their starters and the Magic cruised down the stretch.

Richardson led the way with nine points while Howard scored eight to go along with nine rebounds in the first quarter, and the Magic stormed out to an early 33-17 lead after the opening 12 minutes. Howard added eight more points in the second quarter as Orlando widened its margin to 56-43 at the break.

"We came out and handled business," Richardson said. "We have to bottle that, what we did tonight, and apply that to the remainder of the season."

Game Notes

The Cavaliers are only three games away from tying the 1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies and 1997-98 Denver Nuggets for the longest losing streak in an NBA single season...Anderson's points and rebounds were career-high's...The Magic led from the opening tip...Christian Eyenga added nine points for the Cavaliers.