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Howard helps Van Gundy beat Heat

Dec 29, 2007 - 5:15 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Stan Van Gundy's return to South Beach was successful on Friday despite the efforts Dwyane Wade.

Dwight Howard had 29 points and 21 rebounds and Hedo Turkoglu added eight of his 22 in overtime as the Orlando Magic held on for a 121-114 over the Miami Heat.

Van Gundy coached Miami for two seasons until current coach Pat Riley stepped out of the front office to take over the duties and helped guide the franchise to its first NBA title in 2006.

While Van Gundy came away smiling in this one, the Heat watched Wade's huge all-around performance go right down the drain.

"It was the same as any other game except not everybody else has Dwyane Wade," Van Gundy said. "He was unbelievable."

The 6-4 superstar connected on 16-of-21 shots and made 16-of-23 free throws en route to a career high-tying 48 points. He also collected 11 assist and seven rebounds.

"It is a little demoralizing to play my most complete game yet and lose in overtime," Wade said. "It really hurts."

"(Wade) had one of those great, great, great nights," Riley said.

In overtime, Carlos Arroyo helped the Magic create a 114-109 lead with his 17-footer with just over two minutes remaining. But Miami's Dorell Wright hit a jumper and rookie Daequan Cook added a shot from the arc to tie the game with 1:17 to go.

Turkoglu sank a pair of foul shots to break the tie and after Ricky Davis' turnover, Turkoglu drilled a dagger 3-pointer from the top of the key with 11 seconds left.

"I always feel it," Turkoglu said. "It was good contest by Udonis (Haslem) and good D, but better offense."

"It came down to whoever wanted it the most and we hit some big-time shots at the end," said Howard, who collected his league-leading 28th double-double of the season.

In regulation, Rashard Lewis nailed a 3-pointer as Orlando took the lead at 103-102 with 31 seconds remaining. After both teams traded free throws, Howard sank a pair from the line to make it a three-point edge for the Magic with four seconds left.

But the Heat regrouped as Cook tied the game at 107-107 with a 27-foot 3-pointer from the left wing with just 1.6 seconds to go.

"I just felt real good about the shot," said Cook, who scored 11 points off the bench. "I'm a jump shooter and I'm good at knocking down shots."

Orlando's Keith Bogans misfired on the game's final possession to force the extra session.

The Heat were without Shaquille O'Neal (hip), Jason Williams and Chris Quinn (ankle) due to injuries.