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Howard helps Orlando handle Wizards

Feb 17, 2011 - 6:28 AM Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard poured in 32 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked three shots, as the Orlando Magic dominated the Washington Wizards, 101-76, at Amway Center.

Washington had just recorded its first road win of the season Sunday at Cleveland, posting a 115-100 victory to end a 26-game slide as the guest dating back to last season. The Wizards are 1-26 away from home this season and haven't triumphed in back-to- back road games since beating Miami on November 27 and Toronto on December 1, 2009.

Brandon Bass added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic, who have won four of five. Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson chipped in with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

Orlando improved to 2-1 on a seven-game homestand and heads into the All-Star break with a 36-21 record.

"I feel good," Howard said. "But like I told you guys the other night, our effort and our intensity, everything we have to do, we have to do the same way. Be consistent with what we do. That's the only way we're going to win the championship, being consistent every night."

Rookie John Wall finished with 27 points and five boards for the Wizards, who lost all four of their meetings with the Magic this season.

Andray Blatche tallied 15 points and nine rebounds for Washington, which heads into the break with a 15-39 mark.

Washington's lone success in the game came in the first quarter, as the visitors held an 18-17 edge after 12 minutes.

Kirk Hinrich's three-point play had the Wizards in front by four, 32-28, with 6 1/2 minutes to go until half. But Orlando took control from there with an 18-2 run.

Howard and Richardson each tallied six points during the surge, which Jameer Nelson capped with a jumper for a 46-34 edge with 1 1/2 minutes left. It was 48-39 at the break.

The Magic started the second half on a 20-4 surge to put the game away. Howard continued his stellar play by scoring 11 points during the stretch, including a layup with over seven minutes remaining to make it a 68-43 game.

Orlando outscored Washington, 32-16, in the third quarter to take an 80-55 margin into the fourth.

Each team scored 21 points in the fourth.

"He just took over the game and got his team a big lead," Wall said of Howard.

Game Notes

Hinrich had 10 points for Washington, which shot 34.9 percent from the field...Nelson tallied 10 points for the Magic, who made 45.2 percent of their shots...Washington forward Al Thornton re-injured his dislocated right middle finger. The Wizards were without guard Nick Young (knee)...Magic guard Gilbert Arenas had just two points and six assists against his former team.