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Magic-Nets Preview

Mar 5, 2010 - 1:08 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Orlando (42-20) at New Jersey (6-54), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Before hosting the defending NBA champions in a second rematch of last summer's playoff finals series and a potential preview for this year's, the Orlando Magic get what should be another easy tuneup.

The Magic look to win their fourth straight Friday when they visit the New Jersey Nets, seeking their third victory in as many games against the league's worst team.

Orlando (42-20) has a two-game lead over Atlanta in the Southeast Division for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. While that race is tight, the outcomes of its recent contests haven't been nearly as close.

In the last week, the Magic have posted wins over Miami, Philadelphia and Golden State by an average of 21.3 points. They are coming off a 117-90 victory against the Warriors on Wednesday. Dwight Howard led with 28 points and 12 rebounds, helping Orlando open a 30-point lead early in the second half.

"Our job is to get better going towards the playoffs and I think we're doing that," Howard said. "We're playing a lot better basketball on both ends. ... We're doing all the necessary things to get better."

The Magic, who split the six games before their winning streak, have averaged 121.5 points and shot 55.1 percent in their last two games. Howard, though, had scored 21 combined points on 5-of-14 shooting in the previous two games before making 11 of 17 against Golden State.

Orlando has had little trouble with New Jersey (6-54), holding the Nets to an average of 78.5 points in its two victories. Howard has averaged 23.0 points while shooting 72.0 percent in those games.

The Magic lost 98-92 to the Lakers in their other meeting Jan. 18.

Friday's game will be the second visit for Vince Carter to the Izod Center since he was traded by New Jersey to Orlando in the offseason. He scored 16 points in 15 minutes in the first, leaving with a sprained ankle. When the teams met most recently in Orlando on Nov. 13, Carter had 14 points in an 88-72 win.

"Regardless of the talent of the team or the record of the team, we have to take care of business," said Carter, who finished with 15 points in 22 minutes Wednesday.

Things have gotten much worse for New Jersey since Carter and the Magic's visit in October. The Nets, who have the NBA's worst record, have dropped their last two and six of seven after a 111-92 defeat to Cleveland on Wednesday.

Terrence Williams and Brook Lopez each scored 21 points as the Nets never recovered from a 20-point first-quarter deficit. Starter Courtney Lee, averaging 12.2 points, is doubtful for this game after missing the previous two with a sprained left ankle.

"When you fall behind 20 against the best team in the NBA, face it, it's going to be tough," Williams said. "We got it down to 11 a couple of times and couldn't get over the hump."

The Nets have lost a club-record 10 straight at home.