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Magic make a stop in New Jersey

Nov 13, 2010 - 3:51 PM (Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic hope to put two straight losses behind them when they head up the east coast to take on the New Jersey Nets from the Prudential Center.

Orlando was riding a four-game winning streak when they were downed by the Utah Jazz. It then closed out a three-game homestand with Friday's 110-106 loss versus the Toronto Raptors, as Sonny Weems hit the tie-breaking three- pointer with 7.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Dwight Howard had 25 points and eight rebounds, Mickael Pietrus went 8-of-11 from beyond the arc for 24 points and Jameer Nelson chipped in 23 points and eight assists for Orlando, which shot 52.7 percent from the field and was beaten on the glass by a 39-34 margin.

"The three things that we always talk about are defend, rebound and take care of the ball," Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We've been rebounding; now tonight we even got outrebounded."

New Jersey will try to win back-to-back games for the first time since opening the new season with consecutive victories. It ended a five-game losing streak with Wednesday's 95-87 win at Cleveland behind a season-high 31 points and nine assists from Devin Harris.

Anthony Morrow buried 5-of-8 from three-point range for 21 points and Kris Humphries chipped in 13 points and 18 rebounds for the Nets, who had a 48-40 advantage on the boards and made 72.7 percent of their free throws.

"Fortunately, tonight, our offense was clicking a little bit more," said New Jersey head coach Avery Johnson. "We played at a pace that is real comfortable for our team. We had some really special individual performances, as well."

The Nets hope to snap a three-game home losing streak Saturday and will head west for four games against the Clippers, Jazz, Kings and Nuggets after tonight's bout versus Orlando. Nets forward Troy Murphy (foot) is probable for Saturday's game.

Orlando defeated the Nets, 105-90, back on November 5 this season in central Florida and has won four straight and 10 of the last 12 matchups in this series. Howard had 30 points and 16 rebounds in the first meeting for the Magic, who have won their last two trips to New Jersey.