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Howard, Magic handle Cavaliers

Nov 27, 2010 - 5:48 AM Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard led a balanced attack with 23 points and 11 rebounds, as the Orlando Magic handled the Cleveland Cavaliers, 111-100, at Amway Center.

Jameer Nelson added 20 points and six assists for the Magic, who have won two in a row and six of seven overall. J.J. Redick tallied 15 points and five assists for Orlando, which got 14 points apiece from Quentin Richardson and Rashard Lewis.

"Yeah I think that last couple of games we have had rhythm on the offensive end," Howard said. "We just have to move the ball and play with energy and get easy shots."

Antawn Jamison finished with 22 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Cavaliers, who have lost six of eight. Mo Williams had 20 points and eight assists.

Ahead by one, 18-17, late in the first quarter, the Magic put together a 12-3 run. Howard tallied four points during the burst to give Orlando a 30-20 edge, and the score was 32-22 heading to the second.

It remained a 10-point contest in the final minute of the second stanza before Richardson made a three-pointer for a 62-49 Orlando advantage at the break.

Howard sank a pair of free throws to give the Magic an 83-65 lead with over four minutes to play in the third. Cleveland ended the quarter on a 9-2 burst to make it an 85-74 contest, but never got closer than nine in the final stanza.

"I thought our guys really competed, I really did," Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott said. "I thought we played hard for the second straight night, our second straight game. That's a good sign, that's something I was proud to see, our guys never gave up. But it's hard to play against eight people, makes it a lot tougher."

Game Notes

The Magic and Cavs split four meetings a season ago, while Orlando has won seven of the last 10 contests in the series. Cleveland hasn't fared too well in the Magic Kingdom, losing 15 of its last 20 games there...Magic guard Vince Carter (knee) missed the game...Orlando is 8-2 as the host this season...Cleveland has dropped four straight on the road and owns a 3-5 mark away from home this year.