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Pacers try to snap funk with Magic in town

Jan 26, 2011 - 4:44 PM (Sports Network) - The reeling Indiana Pacers hope to halt a season-long five- game losing streak Wednesday night when they welcome Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic to Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Pacers' latest setback took place in Denver on Sunday when Carmelo Anthony hit six three-pointers in the third quarter and poured in 36 points for the game, leading the Nuggets to a 121-107 victory over Indiana.

Tyler Hansbrough had 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Pacers, while Paul George scored 17 off the bench.

"When you have no low post presence you're going to struggle ... and we're struggling in that category," Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien said.

Indiana saw its losing streak extended to five games and finished 0-4 on a road trip that also included games against the LA Clippers, Golden State and Portland.

The Magic, who will finish a brief two-game tour of the Midwest in Chicago on Friday, are coming off a rare loss on their home floor to a sub-.500 opponent on Monday when the trio of Tayshaun Prince, Tracy McGrady and Austin Daye each scored 20 points as the Detroit Pistons took an early lead and held on late, topping Orlando, 103-96, at Amway Center.

Ryan Anderson led the Magic with 21 points in a reserve role, while Howard added 20 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds for the Magic, who had a three-game winning streak snapped and is now 21-4 against teams with a losing record.

Jameer Nelson and Brandon Bass supplied 14 and 12 points, respectively, for Orlando, which had won five straight in this series entering Monday.

"I think our focus is a big problem," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We aren't focusing on the game plan or on personnel. I think our guys know the stuff if you talk to them about other players, but I don't think we focus on it on the floor at all."

The Magic have won three straight and nine of their past 11 with Indiana, including a 90-86 win in Indianapolis back on Nov. 20.