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Magic and Pacers clash in Indy

Nov 20, 2010 - 3:47 PM (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic will depart central Florida for a few games starting with Saturday's contest against the Indiana Pacers from Conseco Fieldhouse.

Orlando took advantage of a Steve Nash-less Phoenix Suns squad with a 105-89 victory Thursday night at Amway Center. Howard scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Jameer Nelson provided 15 points and a season-best 12 assists for Orlando, which has won three straight and seven of nine contests.

"I was just trying to be aggressive and make the play that was there whether it was for me to score [or not]," Nelson said. "Guys did a great job of getting open and making shots."

Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter had 13 points apiece, as the Magic buried 54.1 percent of their shots and forced 18 turnovers. Orlando led by as many as 32 points and rested most of its starters often.

Magic guard J.J. Redick missed his second straight game with back spasms and is questionable for tonight. The Magic will also visit San Antonio in the Alamo City and are 2-1 away from home this season.

Indiana has alternated wins and losses over its last six games, and handed the lowly Los Angeles Clippers a 107-80 loss on Thursday.

Danny Granger finished with a game-high 22 points and Roy Hibbert added 18 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers, who outscored LA by a 31-18 count in the second quarter and will close out a three-game homestand Saturday night.

"We really got after them defensively after the first quarter," said Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien. "We had 58 hustle points, which is a key ingredient. We played a tired basketball team playing on a back-to-back."

Indiana was without Mike Dunleavy, who missed the game due to the birth of his first child. He is expected to return this evening. Pacers guard Darren Collison (ankle) also missed the game with a sprained ankle and could see action versus the Magic. Center Jeff Foster played for the first time this season after sitting out with a sprained right ankle and posted two points and four rebounds.

Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough played after missing the last game with a sprained left ankle. He had seven points and eight rebounds.

Orlando won three of four meetings with Indiana a year ago and is 9-3 in the past 12 meetings in the series. It has lost 13 of its last 20 at Indiana.