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Magic hope to avoid another close defeat

Jan 9, 2008 - 2:56 PM Orlando (22-14) at LA Clippers (10-21) 10:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Orlando Magic look to put a recent string of close losses behind them when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Orlando has lost its last three games by a combined seven points.

On Tuesday, the Magic nearly overcame a double-digit halftime deficit before falling, 104-100, to the Sacramento Kings. Dwight Howard collected 29 points and 15 rebounds to pace Orlando, which lost 96-94 and 96-95, respectively, in its previous two games against the Houston Rockets and New Jersey Nets.

Clippers center Chris Kaman will battle Howard in the middle, as the matchup features the top two rebounders in the league. Kaman is averaging 14.0 rebounds to go along with 18.1 points, while Howard is averaging just over 15 rebounds per contest.

After a 6-4 start, the Clippers have been struggled losing 17 of the past 21 games.

On Sunday, the Clippers lost for the eighth time in their last nine games, enduring an 88-82 setback to the San Antonio Spurs.

It is the first meeting of the season between the teams. Orlando and Los Angeles split the two contests last season and the Magic have not beaten the Clippers on the road since November 14, 2002.