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Bobcats pull one out of their hat, rally past Magic

Mar 7, 2012 - 5:24 AM Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Corey Maggette scored a game-high 29 points and pulled down seven rebounds as the Bobcats came from 20 points down in the second quarter to complete the 100-84 comeback victory over the Orlando Magic at Time Warner Cable Arena on Tuesday.

"It just feels good to get a win," Maggette remarked after the game. "We've been up and down and we're not having a good season and everyone knows that. For our team to play and fight tonight was a positive for our team."

Gerald Henderson added 16 points, while Bismack Biyombo filled the stat sheet with 10 points, a career-high 15 boards and seven blocked shots to snap a five-game losing streak for the Bobcats.

Dwight Howard was held in check as he managed just 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting. He did pull down 17 rebounds and Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick chipped in 14 points apiece, but the Magic saw their two-game win streak come to an end.

"We gave them confidence and they just played with total confidence in the second half and that's where they got the win," said Howard. "You can't do that with any team. We cannot allow teams to get confidence against us."

Orlando utilized the long ball in the second, as it opened the quarter 4-of-4 from beyond the arc to increase the margin to 37-17 just three minutes into the frame.

But the momentum swung in the home team's favor after head coach Paul Silas was ejected with just under four minutes left in the second. Silas was slapped with two technicals for screaming at an official and his son Stephen took over head coaching duties.

The Bobcats were energized by their coach's fiery reaction, as they reeled off 20 straight during a 22-1 surge over the next six-plus minutes between the second and third quarters to take a 51-48 lead with 9:33 left in the third.

Neither team could take control in third, giving the Bobcats a 72-71 lead heading into the final frame.

Eduardo Najera got the lead to six on a triple, but Orlando scored the next eight after back-to-back three-pointers from Redick and Chris Duhon to take a 79-77 edge.

Charlotte had the answer again, outscoring the Magic 15-3 over the next five- plus minutes as Maggette and Gerald Henderson combined for all 15 points to take a 92-82 lead with under four minutes to play.

The Magic employed the "hack-a-Biyombo" strategy down the stretch, but he managed a respectable 3-of-6 from the line as the Bobcats held on to complete the comeback victory.

The Richardsons combined for 14 points in the first, as Jason buried two three-pointers on his way to nine points, while Quentin had a triple and a layup for his five to give the Magic a 25-15 lead after one.

Game Notes

Orlando will travel to Chicago on Thursday, while the Bobcats host the Jazz on Wednesday...Charlotte improved to 3-13 at home...Both team's attempted 80 field goals, with the Bobcats connecting on 38 and the Magic making 31.