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Howard's shot lifts Magic over Wizards

Nov 28, 2010 - 4:21 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard hit a jumper with four seconds remaining to lift the Orlando Magic to a 100-99 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center.

The bank-shot gave Howard a game-high 32 points and he added 11 rebounds for the Magic, who have won three straight. Quentin Richardson had 20 points and six rebounds and Jameer Nelson added 11 points in the victory.

Gilbert Arenas led the Wizards with a season-high 31 points and Andray Blatche added a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards for Washington, which has lost four straight in this series.

Nick Young scored a season-high 21 in a reserve role, while JaVale McGee and Kirk Hinrich both finished with nine points in defeat.

Hinrich hit a three-pointer off a Rashard Lewis turnover to give the Wizards a 90-84 lead midway through the fourth, and after a Richardson triple and Howard's free throws put the Magic ahead, the final minute and a half the game became a possession battle.

After the Howard free throws, Washington called a quick timeout. Arenas then knocked down a mid-range jumper to regain the lead for Washington, but after Nelson and Arenas missed easy shots in the lane, Howard connected on a short hook shot with 26.2 ticks remaining to put Washington back on top 98-97.

Washington called its final full timeout and, after Arenas' seven-foot turnaround jumper fell with 13.9 seconds left, the Magic also had to call a timeout.

Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy brought in two of his strongest shooters, J.J. Redick and Richardson, but after Nelson missed a try in the lane, it was Howard grabbing the rebound and hitting on the bank-shot to account for the final margin.

Arenas attempted a short jumper in the lane at the buzzer, but the ball bounced off the backboard.

Richardson paced the Magic with 11 points in the first quarter and Orlando held a 30-20 advantage after 12 minutes of play.

The Magic were able to extend their lead to 14 in the final minutes of the first half, and after two Arenas free-throws cut the lead to 10, Chris Duhon connected on a layup at the buzzer to give Orlando a 55-43 advantage heading to locker room.

The Wizards surged in the third quarter behind a 13-point outburst from Arenas. He hit two from the line to give Washington a 64-63 edge at 5:18, but after Young hit a long jumper at the three-minute mark to put the game at 70-68, the Wizards turned the ball over on three of their final four possession of the quarter.

The turnovers allowed the Magic to take a 74-72 lead heading into the fourth.

Game Notes

The Magic were without Vince Carter who for the third straight game because of a strained knee...Redick finished with eight points for the Magic...Both teams shot 20-of-27 from the line...The Wizards won the rebounding margin 47-38.