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Magic look to snap three-game losing streak at Charlotte

Dec 14, 2007 - 3:43 PM Orlando (16-7) at Charlotte (8-12) 8:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) - The Orlando Magic will look to snap its first three-game losing streak of the season when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.

The Magic are coming off a 100-88 defeat to Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Charlotte topped the 100-point mark for the first time in nine games, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, 108-103, on Wednesday.

The matchup will also feature a key battle in the middle between the first and second overall draft picks from the 2004 NBA draft.

Dwight Howard - the No. 1 overall pick from that draft - is averaging 22.9 points and a league-leading 15.1 rebounds this season for Orlando, including 19 double-doubles.

Howard is also averaging 18.6 points and 14.9 rebounds in 13 career games against Charlotte.

Emeka Okafor has been solid as well this season, posting 12 double-doubles, including a 25 points, 16 rebound performance in Wednesday's win over the Clippers.

The Connecticut-product has also averaged a double-double in his career against Orlando, posting 14.6 points and 10.1 rebounds.

Orlando won the first meeting, 105-92, at home on November 23 and the two teams split the four meetings last season.