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Magic try to rebound against Hornets

Jan 27, 2012 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - For three quarters last night it appeared the Orlando Magic had erased all the memories of their worst shooting performance in franchise history in a rematch with the Boston Celtics.

But a lousy final period sent the Magic back into the loss column, where they have been three times in the last five games. Orlando hopes its recent trend of alternating wins and losses goes back into its favor Friday in the Big Easy against the New Orleans Hornets.

The Magic set new franchise lows for fewest points scored in a game, in a half and lowest field goal percentage in a game in an 87-56 loss at Boston on Monday. Orlando shot a franchise-low 24.6 percent from the floor, going just 16-of-65, and committed a season-high 25 turnovers. It then rebounded the following evening with a 102-83 win at Indiana.

Boston was on the docket again Thursday in central Florida and the Magic suffered a 91-83 setback. They did a little better shooting with a 38-percent clip but were done in by a 27-8 margin in the fourth stanza. Dwight Howard had 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Ryan Anderson and Jameer Nelson scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Orlando, which has alternated wins and losses over its last six games.

"We got frustrated with the physical play ... and got totally out of our game," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said after his team blew a 21-point halftime lead.

Howard notched his 14th double-double of the season in defeat. The Magic are 6-3 on the road this season and one game off the lead in the Southeast Division.

New Orleans is mired in a season-high nine-game losing streak and has dropped 15 of 16 games since opening the compressed 2011-12 season with two straight wins. It is trying to avoid losing 10 in a row for the first time since Dec. 17, 2004-Jan. 7, 2005.

The Hornets will play two straight and three of their next four games at home, where they have dropped nine in a row and are 1-9 on the season. In a 101-91 loss at Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Jarrett Jack ended with 20 points and five assists for the Hornets, who are last in the Southwest Division.

"The first half they scored 60 points and the second half they scored 41. We just had the tale of two halves -- the turnovers just hurt us in the second half," said Hornets coach Monty Williams. "They take advantage of it when you turn it over and they run right down your chest."

Gustavo Ayon had 16 points and Carl Landry added 15 points for New Orleans, which shot 46.7 percent for the game.

New Orleans swept a home-and-home set with the Magic a season ago and has won three straight and four of the last five meetings. Orlando is winless in its last three games as the visitor in this series and is 31-36 all-time against the Hornets.