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Struggling Bobcats host Magic

Nov 6, 2010 - 2:43 PM (Sports Network) - Southeast Division rivals clash in Charlotte Saturday when the Orlando Magic visit the struggling Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The Magic finished a quick two-game homestand in perfect fashion last night when Dwight Howard dominated in the paint with 30 points and 16 rebounds, pacing Orlando to a 105-90 win over the New Jersey Nets.

Jameer Nelson added 20 points and six assists, but landed awkwardly on the foot of Nets guard Devin Harris while attempting to block a shot with 1:55 remaining in the final quarter. Nelson's left ankle twisted and he walked gingerly off the court but the veteran point guard was called probable for tonight's contest.

Rashard Lewis checked in with 12 points and eight boards for the Magic.

"I think we just played with more energy," Howard said. "In the first half, they played with terrific energy. We had to match their energy or they were going to win the game."

The Magic (3-1) have been dominant in the new Amway Center, winning all three of their contests by an average of nearly 30 points, but lost their lone road encounter thus far, a 96-70 setback to Miami on Oct. 29. Orlando had been scheduled to play another road game on Tuesday but that contest, against the Knicks in New York's Madison Square Garden, was postponed due to an asbestos scare.

The Bobcats, meanwhile, allowed Detroit to record its first win of the season on Friday when Ben Gordon finished with 20 points and Richard Hamilton added 16 points, including 11-of-11 from the foul line, as the Pistons took a 97-90 decision over Charlotte at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Stephen Jackson led the way with 28 points on 12-of-19 from the field and D.J. Augustin added 12 points and eight assists for the Bobcats, who have lost nine of their last 11 at Detroit.

"We had too many turnovers," said Bobcats head coach Larry Brown. "The end of the third quarter really killed us."

Orlando took three of four from Charlotte last season and has beaten the Bobcats four straight times as the visitor.