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Howard, Magic down James, Cavs in China Games

Oct 20, 2007 - 7:22 AM MACAU, China (Ticker) -- The Orlando Magic once again got the better of the Cleveland Cavaliers as the NBA China Games series came to a close at the Venetian Arena in Macau.

Having defeated last season's NBA finalists, 90-86, in Shanghai, the Magic produced a more dominant display in a 100-84 victory on Saturday.

Dwight Howard followed up his 31 points against the Cavs on Wednesday with 17 more as the center hit 6-of-8 field goals in 24 minutes of action, while Hedo Turkoglu grabbed nine rebounds.

LeBron James recorded 14 points and five assists during 27 minutes on the court for the Cavs and Zydrunas Ilgauskas was dominant around the boards, collecting 11 rebounds.

Both teams traded baskets early with James and Howard very much the focus before Daniel Gibson showed he had shaken off the effects of a hamstring strain to sink five points in quick succession, giving the Cavs an 18-13 edge halfway into the first quarter.

Cleveland increased that lead to 30-23 by the end of the period as James and Larry Hughes helped themselves to eight points apiece, with Howard matching the pair for the Magic.

Orlando rallied in the beginning of the second quarter to pull within three with just over six minutes to play in the first half.

James then re-entered the fray to huge cheers but Pat Garrity hit a driving lay-up to cut the deficit to one.

The Cavs quickly responded with a one-handed dunk from Gooden after a neat pass from James to highlight a run that saw them establish a 41-33 lead.

But the Magic fought back to level as Howard broke up a Cavs attack before charging down the other end to convert and added a free-throw for good measure.

However, James also drained two from the charity stripe with two ticks left as the Cavs led 45-43 at the half.

The Magic took the lead early in the third thanks to Turkoglu's 3-pointer and Howard reinforced the advantage with six more points.

James brought the crowd to its feet as the forward drove the basket and produced a spectacular dunk and Hughes drained a 3-pointer to tie the game with three minutes remaining. But the Magic again got the better of the quarter to lead 71-69.

A 13-4 run capped by J.J. Redick's 3-pointer helped the Magic open up a healthy 84-73 lead in the fourth, a lead they would never relinquish.

Pat Garrity, Reddick and Keith Bogans all bagged 14 points for the Magic, while Hughes weighed in with the same for Cleveland.