Pelicans 99 - 93 Magic
Final
  for this game

Magic start lengthy homestand vs. slumping Hornets

Feb 11, 2011 - 4:17 PM (Sports Network) - Playing well at home is always a priority for the Orlando Magic, who will begin a lengthy seven-game stay in central Florida tonight versus the New Orleans Hornets from Amway Center.

The Magic are also slated to host the Lakers, Wizards, Kings, Thunder, Bobcats and Knicks, and own a 19-7 ledger at home. They went 34-7 at home last season and are 110-39 in Orlando under head coach Stan Van Gundy.

Orlando is coming off Wednesday's hard-fought 99-95 victory in Philadelphia, as Dwight Howard muscled his way to 30 points and 17 rebounds. Howard also converted a clutch three-point play near the end and admitted afterwards it was tough playing a scrappy 76ers team on the road.

"Philly's a tough team to beat at home," Howard said. "We had to grind it out."

Jason Richardson and Jameer Nelson both had 12 points for the Magic, who won for the third time in four tries.

Orlando and Atlanta both sit five games behind Miami in the Southeast Division.

New Orleans will try to get its act together tonight in the conclusion of a brief two-game road trip. In Wednesday's 103-101 overtime loss in New Jersey, Brook Lopez sank two free throws with 24.3 seconds left in overtime to put the Nets in front for good.

David West powered the Hornets with 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Willie Green and Jarrett Jack scored 19 and 12 points, respectively, for New Orleans, which has lost four straight and six of seven games.

"As the point guard and the leader there is no way I should let us lose that game," said Hornets All-Star Chris Paul, who was held scoreless in the first half and finished with nine points and 11 assists.

The Hornets are winless in four straight road games and 12-15 away from the Big Easy this season. They are still searching for the 900th victory in franchise victory.

New Orleans beat Orlando, 92-89, in overtime on Jan. 12 this season in the Big Easy, getting 22 points, nine rebounds and the go-ahead basket in overtime from Marcus Thornton. West added 13 points and 10 boards in that one.

These two teams have split the past 20 meetings.






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