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Magic beat Wizards in Arenas' return to Washington

Feb 5, 2011 - 5:24 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard dominated in the middle and Gilbert Arenas had a successful return to the nation's capital as the Orlando Magic topped the Washington Wizards, 110-92, at Verizon Center.

Howard totaled 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Magic, who snapped a two-game skid. Arenas, who finished with 10 points, six rebounds and six assists in nearly 25 minutes off the bench, made his first journey with his new team to D.C. since a December trade that sent the former All-Star to the Magic. Arenas likely stamped his ticket out of Washington last season when he was suspended 50 games for bringing firearms into the team's locker room.

"It's home. I mean this technically is the longest place I've ever lived," Arenas said. "When I moved to California at ten, I moved back and forth. This is the longest place I've ever lived. I consider this home."

Ryan Anderson tallied 19 points and Jason Richardson 18 in Orlando's fifth straight win over the Wizards.

Nick Young and Kirk Hinrich each scored 17 for Washington, which lost its seventh in a row.

"I think we came out with a lot of energy tonight considering that some of us played the whole game last night," Howard said. "It was kind of tough, but we got a good win."

A defensive three-second violation resulted in Young making a technical free throw with 5:09 left in the third quarter, providing the Wizards with a 62-61 edge.

Washington, though, fell apart on defense, as the hosts gave up 15 of the next 17 points. Anderson's three-ball immediately gave Orlando the lead, and Jameer Nelson then connected for two of his 11 assists with passes to Howard, resulting in alley-oop jams and a 68-62 margin. J.J. Redick's three-ball and his technical free throw at quarter's end made it 74-64. A dunk by Earl Clark in the opening seconds of the fourth capped the monumental spurt.

Washington didn't get closer than eight points the rest of the way. Orlando sealed the win with a 15-4 run, expanding to a 107-88 advantage.

The Magic led by as many as 14 in the opening quarter before settling for a 29-21 edge after 12 minutes. Washington was in front by as much as four in the second, but gave up the advantage late, and the hosts trailed, 51-49, at halftime.

"Howard was so effective," Wizards head coach Flip Saunders said. "He really got going early, but when it really came down to it, as I said earlier before the game, the people that decided how the game was going were the other four."

Game Notes

Redick scored 15, while Clark (10) was also in double figures...Rashard Lewis and John Wall each scored 14 in defeat...The Magic went 12-of-31 from three- point range...This was the start of a four-game homestand for the Wizards, who will also host Atlanta, Milwaukee and San Antonio.