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Howard's 20-20 night lifts Magic over Jazz

Mar 16, 2009 - 2:10 AM ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- Dwight Howard doesn't get mentioned very often in the talk about the NBA's MVP award. He might if the Utah Jazz had a vote.

Howard had 28 points and 20 rebounds, leading the Orlando Magic to their third straight victory, 105-87 victory over the weary Jazz on Sunday night.

"Howard was a monster," Utah forward Carlos Boozer said. "He is one of those guys that people don't appreciate like they should. He should be in the MVP talk, too. He cleans up everything and corrects any mistake they make."

The Magic (49-17) closed within a half-game of the Boston Celtics (50-17), who lost earlier in the day, for the No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs. They play at Cleveland (53-13) Tuesday night with a chance to get closer to No. 1.

Boozer had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz, coming off a triple-overtime loss in Miami a day earlier. The Magic got 16 points from point guard Rafer Alston and 14 from backup point guard Anthony Johnson.

The Magic built a 13-2 lead and never allowed the Jazz closer than nine points for the rest of the game. Utah dropped its third straight to close a five-game, eight-day Eastern swing.

It was obvious early the Jazz were in for a long night. Utah coach Jerry Sloan was ejected just 2:12 into the game after jawing with officials following a foul call against center Mehmet Okur.

Utah point guard Deron Williams, who finished with 11 points and nine assists, left the game in obvious pain with 5:05 remaining in the second quarter after banging knees with Howard. He returned in the second half but struggled to spark the Jazz.

Howard had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the first quarter, the third time this season he has had a double-double assured in the first 12 minutes. Howard has 52 double-double games this season (second most in the league).

"He was terrific," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "His effort lately, has been very, very good. He's coming out and playing with great energy and intensity. When he does that, it sets the tone."

Howard, who leads the league in both rebounding and blocked shots, made only eight of 17 free throws, his only negative of the night.

"Howard is awfully hard to deal with," Sloan said. "He took us out of our offense, and then you have to take pot luck out there, and that's usually not a good percentage shot."

The Magic led by as many as 20 midway in the second quarter and were ahead 57-43 at the half.The game could have been more lopsided, but the Magic struggled at the free throw line, making only 14 of 28 attempts.