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Magic seeks first 50-win season in 12 years

Apr 11, 2008 - 3:11 PM Minnesota (19-59) at Orlando (49-29) 7:00 pm EDT

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) - The Orlando Magic are hoping to reach 50 wins for the first time in 12 seasons when the Minnesota Timberwolves come calling on Friday.

The Magic haven't posted a 50-win campaign since 1995-96 when they fell to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Orlando is also looking to find some consistent play after alternating wins and losses since March 25. Most recently, Dwight Howard had 30 points and 14 rebounds in the Magic's 115-83 victory over the Bulls on Wednesday.

"I just wanted to come out and play a lot better than I did the last two games," Howard said. "I didn't think I brought myself mentally and physically to the game, so I just wanted to come out with a great effort on both ends."

Minnesota, on the other hand, dropped its sixth straight game with Wednesday's 122-90 blowout loss to the New Orleans Hornets.

Rashad McCants had 23 points off the bench and Randy Foye added 20 for the Timberwolves, who are trying to avoid a season-series sweep by Orlando.

In the first meeting, Howard dominated the paint with 28 points and 16 rebounds to carry Orlando to a 111-103 victory over the Timberwolves on November 6 at the Target Center.