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Magic host struggling Warriors

Dec 22, 2006 - 4:16 PM Golden State (13-14) at Orlando (17-10) 7:00 pm EST

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) - After a three-game losing streak, the Orlando Magic got help from a familiar face and a new source to get back on the winning track.

Riding a two-game winning streak, the Magic will host the Golden State Warriors, who snapped a three-game skid with a last-second win in their last contest.

Grant Hill scored 21 points and second-year reserve Travis Diener added nine of his 13 during a decisive fourth-quarter run as the Magic posted an 86-83 victory over the struggling New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.

While Hill is an established NBA player and former All-Star, Diener is trying to earn a spot in Orlando's rotation as an outside threat when defenses collapse on 6-11 interior star Dwight Howard.

Diener nailed all three of his - and the Magic's - shots from arc on Wednesday down the stretch when it mattered most. Howard collected 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, but his most important work was setting up his teammate's big contribution.

Also on Wednesday, Baron Davis ignited a first-half run and converted several clutch shots down the stretch to lead the Warriors to a 96-95 victory over the Boston Celtics. Davis finished with 31 points as Golden State snapped Boston's season-high five-game winning streak.

Mickeal Pietrus scored 16 points for Golden State, which improved to 1-3 on its six-game road trip.