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Struggling Magic look to contain Anthony, Nuggets

Feb 13, 2008 - 11:22 AM Denver (31-19) at Orlando (32-21) 7:00 pm EST

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) - The Orlando Magic hope a visit from the Denver Nuggets will help end a terrible homestand on a positive note.

The Magic aim for a 15th straight home win over the red-hot Nuggets on Wednesday in the final game of a five-game homestand.

Orlando has the most road wins in the league (19), but has been less than stellar at here. The Magic are just 13-11 at home and have lost three of the first four games in this stretch.

Orlando allowed at least 107 points in three losses to Dallas, the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland. On Tuesday, the Magic allowed Larry Hughes to score 23 of his season-high 40 points in the third quarter in a 118-111 loss to the Cavaliers.

That horrid performance appeared to be the last straw for Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who called out All-Star center Dwight Howard after he failed to block a shot, saying Howard is more concerned with his offense.

Van Gundy made the point that the Magic are 22-2 when Howard blocks at least three shots, and 21-4 when they allow less than 100 points.

But it may be difficult to contain the Nuggets, who have won three straight and six of their last seven games while surpassing the 100-point plateau in each contest.

J.R. Smith hit a career-best eight 3-pointers and Anthony scored 22 points with 11 rebounds as the Nuggets posted a 114-113 overtime victory in Miami on Tuesday.

Anthony, who erupted for a career-best 49 points on Friday, is averaging 30 points and 9.3 rebounds in his last six games since returning from a sprained ankle. Anthony will look to lead the Nuggets to their first win in Orlando since March 10, 1992.