• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Magic keep rolling with rout of Warriors

Dec 23, 2008 - 4:28 PM By Zach Chalifour PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- The Golden State Warriors were outmatched from the start Monday night as the Orlando Magic rolled to their fifth consecutive victory, 113-81.

Jameer Nelson led the Magic with 22 points and seven assists, while Orlando quieted Jamal Crawford in his first game since scoring 50 against Charlotte Monday, holding the Golden State newcomer to 18 points of 7-of-21 shooting.

Nelson shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the field - including four 3-pointers - to put up another stellar performance after recently being named the Eastern Conference player of the week.

"If there is any (player-of-the-week award) jinx, it sure didn't work tonight. Jameer was incredible." Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said.

Nelson's night was indicative of a Magic team that shot 48 percent (41-of-85) from the floor and 52 percent from the arc while making a season-high 16 3-pointers in 31 attempts.

"It's just a matter of continuing to work hard and taking the open shots. The player of the week award means a lot, but it's just as much because of my teammates helping me play well," Nelson said. "We're playing great together right now, helping each other find the open shots and hitting them."

Meanwhile, Golden State shot just 32 percent (29-of-91) from the field and did not hold a lead once the entire night.

"When you can't hit any shots and you play a team shooting like they did tonight, you're not going to win many games," Warriors coach Don Nelson said.

The Magic scored the first six points of the game and built up a first-half lead to as many as 17 points. A quick Warriors run to start the second half cut to lead to four points with 9:48 left, and then the rout was on.

The Magic rebounded shortly thereafter, going on a 22-8 run in the final 6:13 of the third quarter to build a 21-point lead heading into the fourth that they had no problems holding on to.

"We did what we were supposed to do except for at the end of the first half and beginning of the third quarter. They were undermanned, but we still our energy where it needed to be," Van Gundy said.

Dwight Howard posted another double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Rashard Lewis poured in 21 and rookie Courtney Lee scored 12 for the Magic.

Crawford wasn't the only player to struggle for Golden State. The team's next highest scorer was Anthony Morrow with just 13.