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Howard, Magic pull out win against Sixers

Feb 10, 2011 - 5:33 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds and was key down the stretch, as the Orlando Magic escaped Wells Fargo Center with a 99-95 decision over the Philadelphia 76ers.

After the Sixers cut their deficit to three with just over a minute remaining in regulation, Howard drained two free throws. He then forced a turnover at the other end, and added a three-point play a little later to help secure Orlando's third win in four games.

"Philly's a tough team to beat at home," Howard said. "We had to grind it out."

J.J. Redick was one of six Orlando players to score in double figures, logging 13 points.

Lou Williams scored 18 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, while Andre Iguodala compiled 21 points and eight assists for Philadelphia, which was coming off Tuesday's 34-point win at Atlanta.

Redick and Jason Richardson hit three-pointers near the midway point of the fourth quarter, the latter's resulting in an 83-78 cushion with 5:28 to play.

A Williams free throw a little later pulled the Sixers within one possession, but Redick drained a pull-up jumper and got a teardrop runner in the lane to fall for a seven-point lead, 90-83, with under two minutes to go.

Williams and Jodie Meeks made buckets the next two times down, but the hosts were unable to match Howard's performance in crunch time.

"They made some key shots down the stretch and our rotations weren't what they were supposed to be," Iguodala said. "We can't harp on some of the things we did wrong because we did a lot of good things."

The Sixers scored 11 of the last 13 points of the first quarter to break a 16- all tie, though Orlando battled back in the second frame and took a slim 49-47 edge into the locker room.

The visitors led through most of the third and took a 74-69 cushion into the final stanza.

Game Notes

Orlando has won five straight trips to Philadelphia...Jameer Nelson chipped in 12 points and eight assists for the Magic, who got 12 points apiece from Richardson and Ryan Anderson...Hedo Turkoglu netted 10 points in the win...Meeks recorded 17 points and eight boards, while Elton Brand scored 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting for Philly...The Magic now return home for a seven- game residency versus the Hornets, Lakers, Wizards, Kings, Thunder, Bobcats and Knicks...The Sixers stay in Philly to battle the Spurs on Friday.