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Randolph, Knicks welcome Howard, Magic into Madison Square Garden

Nov 9, 2007 - 2:54 PM Orlando (4-1) at New York (2-1) 7:30 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Dwight Howard has had his way so far, but now faces two major obstacles.

Howard and the Orlando Magic aim for their fourth straight win when they take on the New York Knicks on Friday.

Orlando defeated the Toronto Raptors, 105-96, on Wednesday to win its third straight game. All three wins have come away from home, giving the club its best road start in team history (3-0).

Howard has been a mainstay at center, averaging 18 points, 13 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for the season. In the three victories, he has scored 20.6 points.

The All-Star has received much needed help from Rashard Lewis, who signed a multi-million dollar deal with the Magic this summer. The 6-10 forward has recorded a team-leading 23.2 points and has made a team-high 17 3-pointers to provide an deadly inside-outside tandem with Howard.

However, Howard will have his hands full vs. New York, which also has several impressive big men.

The Knicks rallied for a 119-112 win over Denver on Tuesday as center Eddy Curry and recently acquired power forward Zach Randolph controlled the paint.

The 6-11 Curry scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds while the 6-9 Randolph contributed 22 and a season-high 17 boards for New York, which can move two games over .500 for the first time since January 1, 2005 with a win over Orlando.

Curry is averaging 18.7 points while Randolph is scoring 19.3 points and grabbing 13.7 rebounds for the Knicks, who have won two straight at home, and have also taken two of their last three meetings against Orlando.

The Magic, however, have won seven of their last 11 visits to Madison Square Garden.