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Magic close out trek against Knicks

Jan 16, 2012 - 5:21 PM (Sports Network) - Orlando will attempt to finish up a four-game road trip in perfect fashion on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day when it visits historic Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks.

The Magic swept the west coast portion of their trek with the latest win coming in Oakland last Thursday. Warriors first-year head coach Mark Jackson opted to employ a severe case of "Hack a Shaq," in that one sending Shaquille O'Neal's Doppelganger, Dwight Howard, to the free throw line an NBA record 39 times.

Howard only made 21 of his attempts, but finished with 45 points along with 23 rebounds and converted a go-ahead three-point play with 65 seconds remaining to help Orlando outlast Golden State, 117-109. The previous free-throw attempt record was held by the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, who shot 34 against St. Louis on February 22, 1962.

Interestingly Howard became the first player with at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a game since O'Neal recorded 48 and 20 back on March 1, 2003 against the Boston Celtics.

"I just tried to be aggressive and get to the line. I didn't care if I missed 30." Howard said.

Hedo Turkoglu chipped in 20 points in Orlando's third straight win.

New York, which is opening up a four-game homestand tonight, has dropped two straight and fallen to .500 (6-6) on the season after losing, 104-92, in Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Playing without Carmelo Anthony (ankle, wrist), the Knicks trailed by as many as 31 in dropping their second straight following a four-game winning streak.

Amare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler and Toney Douglas each scored 14 points in the setback.

"We're struggling right now a little bit," Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We just have to work through it and try to get better."

Bill Walker, starting place of Anthony, shot 1-for-6 from the floor for three points. Josh Harrellson netted 12 points for New York, which has lost five straight road games against the Thunder franchise.

Anthony, who is averaging 25.5 ppg, was originally listed as doubtful for this afternoon's contest but felt good in pre-game warmups and was listed in the starting lineup.

New York, which is 3-2 at MSG, will also host Phoenix, Milwaukee and Denver on its residency.

The Knicks snapped a six-game skid against Orlando with a win in March of last season but the Magic have taken 13 of the last 16 meetings in the series overall.

Howard, meanwhile, traditionally dominates New York, amassing nine straight double-doubles against the Knicks with averages of 25.4 points and 14.4 rebounds during that span.