Hornets 106 - 100 Magic
Final
  for this game

Magic try to stay on track with Bobcats in town

Jan 18, 2013 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic have won two of their last three and will hope to keep the momentum going Friday night when they host the lowly Charlotte Bobcats.

The Magic aren't far removed from lowly, but they've played well lately. Orlando closed out a west-coast trip with a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, then, two nights later, got crushed by the woeful Washington Wizards in the nation's capital, 120-91.

The Magic came out on Wednesday and bested the Central Division leading Indiana Pacers, 97-86.

Nikola Vucevic is doing his best to make Orlando fans forget about Dwight Howard. He is averaging a double-double and posted another on Wednesday with 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Arron Afflalo, Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick and Glen Davis, in just his second game back from a shoulder injury, also registered double figures.

Friday night will be Orlando's second in a three-game homestand.

"We've got to protect home," said Davis. "To be home gives you a level of comfort. But at the same time, we're not really trying to be comfortable. We're trying to win games."

Orlando is 8-12 at home this season.

The Bobcats are 4-14 on the road and have lost five in a row.

The most recent setback came on Tuesday night when the Indiana Pacers came to Charlotte and destroyed the Bobcats, 103-76. Three Bobcats - Gerald Henderson, Kemba Walker and Ramon Sessions - scored in double figures, but Tuesday was a disaster.

Indiana built a 10-point lead at the half, then extended it to 26 after three quarters.

The Pacers out-rebounded the Bobcats, 60-31.

"We have to rebound by committee," said head coach Mike Dunlap. "We have to help each other out. When we really address it, and really focus on it, we're damn good."

The statistics don't bare it out. The Bobcats are 22nd in rebounding and 27th in allowing opponents' rebounding.

The Magic won this season's only meeting with Charlotte, a 107-98 road victory on Dec. 15. Orlando has won 14 of its last 16 at home against the Bobcats and 20 of the last 25 overall in the series.






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