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Streaking Nuggets resume road trip in central Florida vs. Magic

Mar 18, 2011 - 2:58 PM (Sports Network) - The playoff-bound Orlando Magic are back in central Florida and will play host to the Denver Nuggets tonight from Amway Center.

Orlando went 3-2 on a five-game road trip out west and has alternated wins and losses over the previous six games. In Wednesday's 93-89 overtime triumph in Milwaukee, Dwight Howard muscled his way to 31 points and 22 rebounds to help the Magic clinch a postseason spot.

Hedo Turkoglu had 18 points and Jason Richardson had 13 points for the Magic, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

"I'm happy to get out of here with a win," Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We did about everything wrong we could do. Another game with 19 turnovers, we didn't make any free throws, we couldn't stop them, but we got out with a win."

Jameer Nelson had 10 points in a winning effort. After tonight's game, the Magic, who are 24-11 at home, will hit the road to Cleveland and New York. Magic sharpshooter J.J. Redick is doubtful for Friday with a strained lower abdominal and has missed four games in a row.

Denver will continue a four-game road trip this evening and has won four in a row, including a 102-87 victory in Atlanta on Wednesday. Nene had 20 points and seven rebounds, J.R. Smith and Arron Afflalo both had 15 points and Wilson Chandler ended with 14 points and 10 boards for the Nuggets, who are 10-2 in their last 12 contests and are a season-high 14 games above .500.

"This is the best we've been playing all year, there's no question," Nuggets head coach George Karl said. "I think we're all serious and focused. The other team can't know what we're going to do because we don't know what we're going to do."

Kenyon Martin chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds in the win. The Nuggets are 14-20 away from home this season and will also visit the Heat. On the injury front, forward Danilo Gallinari is questionable for tonight with a broken left big toe and has missed eight games in a row.

The Nuggets have won three in a row on the road and defeated Orlando, 111-94, on Dec. 14 this season at the Pepsi Center. Former Nugget and current Knick Carmelo Anthony had 35 points and 11 rebounds in that one for Denver, which has won three of four meetings with Orlando.

Orlando has won 16 of the past 17 meetings at home versus the Nuggets. A Denver triumph tonight would give the Nuggets their first 2-0 season series sweep of the Magic since the 1991-92 campaign.