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Heat, Magic set for Sunshine State skirmish

Mar 18, 2012 - 3:08 PM (Sports Network) - The Miami Heat salvaged the finale of a three-game road trip with an edgy win over the Philadelphia 76ers by playing just one half of competitive basketball. That may not work tonight against the Southeast Division-rival Orlando Magic in South Beach.

Miami posted an 84-78 victory in Philadelphia Friday night and headed to halftime with a seemingly comfortable 57-30 lead. The Sixers took over the second half by outscoring the Heat, 48-27, but couldn't pull off the incredible comeback. LeBron James led all scorers with 29 points on 12-of-20 shooting and also collected eight assists and seven rebounds.

"We'll learn from our mistakes," said James after the win. "But that won't take away from being on the road and getting a win against a very good team."

Dwyane Wade had 12 points and 11 boards, while Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem both netted 10 points for the Heat, who ended a two-game slide and won for the fourth time in six tries. Miami shot 47.3 percent for the game and is currently seeded second in the Eastern Conference -- three games behind Chicago. Miami also won its 10th consecutive regular season game against Philadelphia, snapping a four-game road losing streak in the process.

The Southeast Division-leading Heat are back home for two straight games versus Orlando and Phoenix, and are 18-2 as the host. They have ripped off 12 straight wins at home and haven't tasted defeat in front of the home crowd since Jan. 22 versus Milwaukee. Miami last won 13 in a row at home during a 14-game run from Jan. 22-March 16, 2007.

Miami is a franchise-best 32-11 after 43 games -- the best since a 31-12 mark in 1996-97. The Heat are also 9-0 against the Atlantic Division this season and 25-6 in conference action.

Orlando is four games behind the Heat in both the division and conference standings and will try to build off Friday's 86-70 victory versus New Jersey at Amway Center.

A day after deciding that he wouldn't opt out of his contract this summer, Magic All-Star Dwight Howard posted a game-high 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Jameer Nelson and Glen Davis netted 13 points apiece. Ryan Anderson added 12 points, 11 boards and two blocks for the Magic, who won for the sixth time in eight tries and posted their fourth straight win at home.

"I think Dwight did a really good job of following his heart and doing what was best for him," said Davis.

The Magic are 13-9 as the guest this season and sit third in the East standings. They will head back to central Florida after tonight's game for a three-game homestand versus the Bulls, Suns and Cavaliers.

Orlando and Miami will meet for the fourth and final time this season, and the Magic hold a 2-1 advantage so far. The Heat are 46-44 all-time in this series during the regular season and 26-18 in games played in Miami. Orlando has lost two of three and three of its last five trips to south Florida.