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Afflalo, Magic hope to snap 9-game slide vs. Nuggets

Jan 9, 2013 - 3:49 PM (Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic have become accustomed to losing lately and hope to put the brakes on a nine-game slide when they resume a four-game road trip Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.

The skid reached nine with Monday's 125-119 overtime defeat at Portland.

J.J. Redick scored 29 points and handed out five assists, while former Nugget Arron Afflalo added 24 points and five boards for the Magic, who are on their longest losing streak since dropping 13 straight from March 13-April 10, 2004.

"Our effort was unbelievable," Orlando first-year coach Jacque Vaughn said. "We didn't get the win, but at the end of the day we came and we put our work in. Tough loss."

Orlando is winless in its last three road games and sports a 5-10 ledger away from central Florida. It will also visit the Clippers and Wizards on the trek.

Meanwhile, Afflalo will return to Denver after he was dealt to the Magic in the Dwight Howard deal. He was second on the Nuggets with 15.2 ppg last season and is currently posting averages of 17.6 points and 3.6 rebounds with Orlando.

The Nuggets will play four in a row in the Rocky Mountains and are 11-2 as the host this season. They have won two straight and five of seven games, including a 112-105 victory over the banged-up Lakers on Sunday.

Ty Lawson finished with 21 points and 10 assists, while Danilo Gallinari netted 20 points in the win. JaVale McGee and Andre Iguodala, who also was acquired in the four-team trade that sent Howard to the Lakers, scored 17 and 15 points, respectively.

"They're struggling and it was a great win for us," Nuggets coach George Karl said of the Lakers. "As the game went on, we got better defensively."

A 34-26 advantage in the first quarter helped the Nuggets stay hot at home. The Nuggets will also welcome Cleveland, Golden State and Portland to the Centennial State.

Denver dropped a 102-89 decision at Orlando on Nov. 2 this season. The Magic are 21-10 in the past 31 matchups in this series, but have dropped three in a row and eight of nine trips to the Pepsi Center.